I think I screwed up detailing my car!

[Jacko7416]

Anyone have suggestions on this one? I have always used Mequiars products, and have used clay bar in the past, but I think using it on my new to me car has created a problem. I do not think I got all the the clay off, then I polished and waxed over it. It looks terrible. Please advise on what I should do to fix it? Rubbing compound? I am not sure how to stripe the wax and polish to get to the clay layer and what to use to get the clay off.

Thank you.

[MirandaAutoSpa]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Sorry you having problems. What do mean your having problems getting the clay off? When you clay bar a vehicle its just a bar of clay gliding on the surface of the paint with a lube like Meguiars Last Touch Spray Detailer. There shouldn't be clay of the vehicle. How did you proceed with the claying process?

[FRS]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

What lubrication did you use in the process?

Clay is not supposed to stay on the car, but rather glide on the paint and lubricant, picking up contaminants.

Please explain your process in more detail.

[Spidey]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

i remember having this problem with megs clay.. maybe bc i used it on the surface of mycar when it was too warm/hot and the clay would transfer onto the the paint and i would have to use the cleaner to get it off... so firstly, make sure you use it in the shade and the surface is cool, and b) make sure you use enough detailer spray..... i actually prefer mothers clay over the megs...everything else i use megs though...

[Murr1525]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Have to explain more about what looks terrible... any pics?

It is unlikey you caused anything, but may have uncovered something.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

What did you use for a lube?
Did you wipe the area after claying with a clean Microfiber?
What type of clay did you use?
Regular?
Mild?
Aggresive?
Need pics to help.

[MirandaAutoSpa]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Funny...How many times can the same question be asked.

[roushstage2]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

The same question could be asked, but that doesn't mean it will be the same fix every time.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Jacko, it sounds as though you managed to leave some clay residue behind before using polish and wax. Clay residue can happen if you're using too much pressure when claying, not using enough Quik Detailer for lubricant when claying, or claying on a surface that's too warm - or any combination of the three.

This residue should come off quite easily even with a bit of extra wiping with a microfiber towel, but if you didn't do that then it's going to stick around for a while unless or until you make use of a paint cleaner of some sort.

You mentioned that you polished but you didn't say which polish you used. If it was Deep Crystal Polish or M07 Show Car Glaze then it's very possible neither of them would have removed the clay residue. And a non cleaning wax wouldn't necessarily remove it either.

We have seen cases where someone has complained about a very similar issue but they were able to quickly and easily remove the residue with something as simple as the Cleaner Wax that is part of the Smooth Surface Clay Kit.

There is another possibility here, however, depending on what exactly you used for the follow up steps. If your "polish" was actually a paint cleaner of some sort (many people use the words interchangeably) then it's possible that it was overly aggressive for your paint. Now, this assumes you have a very delicate paint, which is rare, but it does happen.

As others have mentioned, pictures will certainly help us properly evaluate the situation, as will an accurate description of the products and processes used.

[Jacko7416]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Hey there. I have posted pictures under my profile, but cannot figure out how to get them to this forum thread. Can you assist or perhaps look at the pictures and let me know what you think? I want to find product that will remove the wax, polish and clay bar so I can start the polish and wax process over.
Thank you so much for your help.

Scott

[agp56]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Jacko - I went over to your postings in the picture gallery and took a look. Thanks for posting several pictures. My eyes say you have some early signs of clear coat failure going on. The affected panels are all the horizontal ones that get the maximum beatdown from the sun

[roushstage2]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

I agree.

[Jacko7416]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

With the information regarding the possible clear coat failure, any suggestions on what to do to get it looking its best with that in mind? I did go today and buy rubbing compound (paste) and did that twice the used the NXT wax, it does look much better, but the haze it still there. I am so discouraged, I want my car to look its best.

[Murr1525]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Yeah, nothing your fault, but you're pretty much stuck.

Best just to use a mild cleaner, and a polish and wax to keep it as healthy as possible.

[Jacko7416]

Re: I think I screwed up detailing my car!

Yeah, nothing your fault, but you're pretty much stuck.

Best just to use a mild cleaner, and a polish and wax to keep it as healthy as possible.

Is anyone familiar with wet sanding to possibly fix this issue?