Using smooth clay not enough???

[wicker78]

I used Meg's smooth clay on my wife's for fusion and after many passes it still isn't smooth. I'm thinking buying either their mild or aggressive clay and last touch. I hadn't clayed her car in two years. I'm planning on compounding and polishing her car with my 7424xp but don't want to until the paint is smooth. Should I go with Meg's pro clay or keep going over the car with the smooth clay? Thanks

[Murr1525]

It's the clay still getting dirty?

Maybe a stronger wash like TRIX first could help to.

[wicker78]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

I used gold class to wash. The clay get contaminants off but I just have to keep gong over the same area a lot. The bonnet,boot, and roof. The side panels don't have anything else and feel smooth now, just having trouble with the rest

[davey g-force]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

If the clay is not pulling any more dirt off, then that might be as smooth as the surface will get.

Otherwise, a more agressive clay is definitely worth a shot IMO.

[The Guz]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

Considering it has not been clayed in 2 years, I would imagine it needs more passes to remove the built up contaminants over that time span. You may need to go with a more aggressive clay. Just be aware that a more aggressive clay can mar the paint. Since you are going to be be using a DA to compound and polish this will remove any marring.

Murr suggested trix and that would help. Just like ironx.

[wicker78]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

I know two years with no clay is a lot but I did wash and wax just never really thought of claying. Work hours weren't allowing me to do more than just wash and wax until recently. So is the aggressive wax better and last touch or should I get the mild clay instead and give it more passes? I have two other vehicles that need detailing as well.

[wicker78]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

Sorry for the dumb questions I just thought that the paint should be glass smooth since I've seen videos say it should feel that way. I saw the trix stuff but it gets pricey if I should get enought for 3 vehicles one being a Oxford white f250 but Ill consider it

[Eldorado2k]

I had the same thing happen to me while claying my dads Tacoma. Even after neading the clay and starting from scratch with a fresh mist of quik detailer, it kept turning up yellowish/brown and wouldnt smooth out after what seemed like 10 tries...

I finally noticed that there were little black dots on the paint, similar to blackheads. I found that if I focused in on them and rubbed the clay a bit more aggresively on them, they would come out. I got off as much as I could but it was taking quite a while... I finally got tired of trying to get it perfect and began my next step. [Ultimate Compound w/DA polisher]

The paint on the hood was flawless after UC.

Note: I was fortunate this happened while working on white paint. I'm not sure if the stubborn grit would've been as visable on a darker colored car.

My advice is, get as much as you can get off and then move on to Ultimate Compound. [Make sure to do a small test spot 1st.] Good Luck!

[C8N]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

Is the entire car rough or just certain areas?

I was working on a Honda Element and there were two spots where clay could not get it smooth... or I thought.
Without applying much pressure, I basically increased my arm speed and spent some time on it and it did end up coming off.
More aggressive clay could be an option. But at the end of the day.... got the sob to come out perfect!

[wicker78]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

Well it's areas in the bonnet, boot, and roof.theres not much that sticks to the clay anymore. I want to start compounding but I read if the paint isnt smooth i might add more swirls while compounding.the fusion is a metallic burgundy.

[Murr1525]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

Well, the idea is that if there was still something bonded to the paint, it could break loose and stick to the pad, and cause swirls. Doesnt sound like a huge risk though at this point if had to go forward.

So, it is just a matter if there is contaminants, or as mentioned if there is rough paint.

If there really isnt much on the clay any more, and a stronger wash like the TRIX, or others wouldnt get anything... then maybe its just rough.

[wicker78]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

There are swirls and water spots on the paint. I'll try a small area and check the results. I ordered some c2000 and last touch that's showing up Monda. Since I haven't detailed it in a while I think I should just wait till then.

[The Guz]

Re: Using smooth clay not enough???

I know pep boys carries one of the pro clay bars. It might be the mild one. Are you using the baggie test to determine if it's rough? It's possible that you may need an iron remover like ironx, autofinesse iron out or dodo juice iron remover or trix to remove those embedded contaminants. I agree with Murr and I also think you would be ok to move forward. You could always try a test spot and see if the roughness oes away.