Clay marring

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I clayed the car yesterday. This was the first time I have clayed a car with my halogen lights on. I noticed some really odd looking marring streaky smuge like stuff. For some reason it me reminded me of the reflective properties of fish scalls. Used Poli-seal next which cleaned up the problem. Any ideas on what would cause this effect? I used brand new Pinnacle clay and DP lube.



Random idea. I have been useing the back side of a Sonus Der Wunder Buffing Towel but I think I'm going to try a WW drying MF to mop up the lube next time. Why did I not think of that before.
 
If you removed it with a light polish like Poli-seal, I would not worry about it. Sometimes clay will leave residue, especially if the surface is warm and clays will mar the paint if the paint is of the soft variety.
 
Clay marring leaves a scuff-like appearance. It is really hard to avoid if you are removing rust contamination. I suppose you can spend a couple extra hours claying in this instance, but it doesn't make much sense if it polishes out with a quick 1 or 2-hour polish. Most of the cars I work on have AT LEAST "moderate" rust contamination (real bad problem in San Diego) and I can't afford to spend 4 hours claying (sometimes takes be almost 2 hours as it is) so I go ahead and put a little umph into it which tends to leave scuffing (noticably more severe with the non elastic clays)...but the scuffing always polishes out much easier than light washing swirls.
 
RAG said:
Clay marring leaves a scuff-like appearance. It is really hard to avoid if you are removing rust contamination. I suppose you can spend a couple extra hours claying in this instance, but it doesn't make much sense if it polishes out with a quick 1 or 2-hour polish. Most of the cars I work on have AT LEAST "moderate" rust contamination (real bad problem in San Diego) and I can't afford to spend 4 hours claying (sometimes takes be almost 2 hours as it is) so I go ahead and put a little umph into it which tends to leave scuffing (noticably more severe with the non elastic clays)...but the scuffing always polishes out much easier than light washing swirls.
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Very interesting. I'm going to be doing a detail in the morning I will report back if it happens again.
 
The trick with clay is keeping it wet. I fill a two gallon bucket with warm water and put the clay in it to soften. each time I am done with the clay it goes into the bucket. This does two things .

1)keeps the clay clean

2) keeps it moist to reshape and use again.

3) remember to spritz the clay with clay lube when you put it back in its container when you are finished.
 
Bob G said:
The trick with clay is keeping it wet. I fill a two gallon bucket with warm water and put the clay in it to soften. each time I am done with the clay it goes into the bucket.
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Great tip! I've been trying to knead near frozen clay!



On the marring. Most of the time the marring is from the contaminants or lack of lube. Try cleaning up a panel and polish, then re-clay a clean panel with clean clay and lots of lube. Bet you don't get any marring.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I will try that warm up trick next time. I did another car yesterday. There was some marring but not much. Must be the differances in paint. I have always flooded the area in lube so I dont think that is the problem.
 
Bob G said:
The trick with clay is keeping it wet. I fill a two gallon bucket with warm water and put the clay in it to soften. each time I am done with the clay it goes into the bucket. This does two things .

1)keeps the clay clean

2) keeps it moist to reshape and use again.

3) remember to spritz the clay with clay lube when you put it back in its container when you are finished.
Click to expand...



Great tip on the warm water. I hate trying to knead cold clay...:furious:
 
Let me elaborate a little.....Some clays dont react well to constant/prolonged contact with moisture. Put your clay in a plastic ziplock baggy, then store in the warm water.
 
Clays tend to marr, especially if you are working on a dirty paintwork. It's kinda part of life, even if you lube the crap out of things.



the key is to polish afterwards so there's no issue!



I hear guys talking about claying and then an LSP on lots of car forums and I just shake my head... Because you see their cars in the sun and you want to gag.
 
if the clays cold and to hard to flaten just put it in your microwave for like 20 mins that should take care of it:doh :doh
 
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