Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

[kevindn5]

Hi, I just tried to clay bar the hood of my girlfriend's car for practice (its already covered in scratches and she doesn't care if I screw up either). While I was rubbing the clay, I could feel the contaminants underneath the bar. I didn't want to apply any more pressure and I was afraid I was adding swirl marks. Is it normal to feel the particles, or am I not using enough lube? Am I not kneading the clay enough? Thanks.

[Skoob]

Run you hand over the clay and check for anything that is sharp. The clay will change color also. I just did it and the clay turned green. Fold the bar to get a clean surface.
Just remember to use plenty of clay lube the bar should never grab at the surface. If it does spray more clay lube. Work in small areas the size of a microfiber towel at a time.

[davey g-force]

Certainly doesn't sound normal to be able to feel particles under the clay. You should stop if that's the case.

Were you using a new clay bar? Might sound like a silly question, but you washed the car before claying, right?

[kevindn5]

It was a new bar, and I did wash the car, but with the condition of the car as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an abnormally high amount of contaminants on it. Just to clarify though, I don't mean like I could feel the contaminants through the bar with my fingers, but I mean it feels gritty when I rub the clay against the surface.

[The Guz]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Has the car ever been clayed?

Have you seen this video.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?42524-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Claying

[kevindn5]

The car is about 9 years old and has never been clayed. Also, I'm not sure if this is significant, but the car isn't very glossy either like a new car which is why I thought the claying wasn't as smooth. The car rarely gets washed too, maybe once a year. I'm just trying to figure out if this is a problem with my technique or perhaps maybe its because of the cars condition.

[The Guz]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

More than likely it's all the contamination on the paint throughout the years. Keep going over the area until it's smooth. Follow the video and you will be fine.

[szladob]

If the car was so neglected, an alternative approach is to use chemical decontamination. Any iron dissolving formulas (eg iron x) and tar remover (eg Tardis) - by the way would be great to have Meg's versions of these - used properly will make the claying just a very light job. With so many years worths of contaminants, your clay will badly discolour in every foot by foot area, thus will likely need to through it away by the time you are done with the car. Also no matter what people say, rubbing something against the paint is always more prone to marring then doing it chemically. Hope this helps.

[Aditya_verna]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Hi all this is my first reply in this forum. I am from india and a ton thanks to everyone who allowed me join this forum.

I recently purchased hyundai verna black color and unfortunately first one week I introduced so many swirls on it. So decided to remove them with Meguiars ultimate compound with hand and foam application.

And prior to that I wanna clay the car too. So before claying can I use carpro ironx so that the claying process will be become easy.

Moderators: I am new to this forum, if I post this message at wrong place please dont block or remove me. I am pretty new kid around.

[szladob]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Sorry to hear about your swirls...
Using an iron dissolving fluid for the first time will truly amaze you, as the car starts "bleeding" everywhere... it's amazing how much iron contaminants are on the car, which I believe is a major part of the 'above surface contaminants', what clay meant to remove.. If you use e.g. iron x, the claying will be so easy (and will hardly remove much), that your clay will be enough for many application (ie. price wise it offsets somewhat the extra cost of the iron removing solution...) I found Iron X to be very good, but quite certain that many of the other similarly intended products are very close if not identical.. (it is a chemical reaction, so I am sure the substance is the same...) Lastly, if your are young, have lots of time, and endless energy/elbow grease , use ultimate compound by hand, otherwise it is really worth to invest into a DA polisher...

[Aditya_verna]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Thanks you for the reply szladob. Yeah I can invest my energy and time to remove the swirls using Meguiars UC. I recently ordered it and its on the way. Once i will use it and will post some pics. I have a question , will the clear coat gets affected by using UC. By the way I will use UC by hand. Any help is much appreciated.

In India its very costly to buy any car detailing products. Meguiars products are also the same but I am very happy to use meguiars So investing some money on my dream car make Me feel good.

[The Guz]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Compounding and polishing does remove clear coat. But sine you are doing this by hand you will be fine.

[Aditya_verna]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

Thank you "The Guz". Does Ultimate Compound really remove the swirls or will just hide them?

[The Guz]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

It removes them. Just remember that your arms can only do so much. You will still get good results but a dual action polisher will give you the best results.

To the OP how did it go with claying?

[kevindn5]

Re: Claying - Hearing and Feeling Contaminants?

"To the OP how did it go with claying?"

Hey Guz, I tried to clay my car last week, I was on the safe side and used a ton of lubricant, and it was very smooth (keep in mind though that my 2 year old car is in much better shape so it prob had a lot less on the surface to begin with). But nonetheless, the clay bar was pretty filthy and I kept folding it like every 10-15 seconds of rubbing. I didn't want to take any chances. Afterwards, I didn't notice any increase in swirl marks that weren't there before. So I'm thinking that this was a success. I also read up about iron x and bought a bottle, I was going to try it sometime in the future and see how well it turns out. Thanks for your help!