To Clay Or Not To Clay??

[DCT]

Cool thanks! Which pad, a white LC pad?

As I said in my post, I like working a paint cleaner by hand. I have lots of clean cotton or MF applicators and plenty of good MF towels on hand. As soon as an applicator or towel gets dirty, I switch to a clean one. Also, doing it by hand insures that I get into all the hard to reach areas. It is a lot of work, but worth it in the end.

I wouldn't use the DC paint cleaner with a machine, although I'm sure that some others do.

With that said, if you are using Steve's PP, using a PC and a pad is a good option, as PP can be a little finicky to work by hand.

Without looking at my stash, I believe the white LC pad is a polishing pad, and that should work fine. I wouldn't use a cutting pad for the paint cleaner.

 

[blucpe]

just my .02 cents, i know it's been spoken of before, if you think your paint is contaminate free try the sandwich bag test. put your index and middle finger in a sandwich bag wrap it tight around your fingers and run it across your paint, if it's smooth you can pretty much bet there are'nt any contaminates in your paint. this may sound a little off but beleive mr it works. i can't tell you how many people i've proven this to in the past and they could'nt beleive it. they would run their fingers across the paint and it would be absolutly like glass, put the sandwich bag on the fingers (cigarette pack cellophane alsao works well) and they can't beleive what they feel. that's not to say your going to feel anything, your paint may very well be clean, this is just another way to find out. hope this helps.

 

[DCT]

just my .02 cents, i know it's been spoken of before, if you think your paint is contaminate free try the sandwich bag test. put your index and middle finger in a sandwich bag wrap it tight around your fingers and run it across your paint, if it's smooth you can pretty much bet there are'nt any contaminates in your paint.

Not completely true...

If you use a clay bar with a high quality QD or Spray & Wipe and perform the above test, the sandwich bag will glide across the surface with no effort. Why? Because the paint "surface" is now clean, and the QD adds a lot of lubrication and slickness.

However, that test is not necessarily an indicator that you paint is clean "below" the surface.

 

[blucpe]

Not completely true...

If you use a clay bar with a high quality QD or Spray & Wipe and perform the above test, the sandwich bag will glide across the surface with no effort. Why? Because the paint "surface" is now clean, and the QD adds a lot of lubrication and slickness.

However, that test is not necessarily an indicator that you paint is clean "below" the surface.

i did not know that, thanks for the tip. i don't understand how you get the paint clean "below the surface", and why would you want to if you're adding something on top of the surface?

 

[Poorboy]

i did not know that, thanks for the tip. i don't understand how you get the paint clean "below the surface", and why would you want to if you're adding something on top of the surface?

the cleaner you can get the clearcoat the more brilliant the basecoat will be ..the waxes or sealants you use should be for enhancement of the finish below ...I think DCT would tell you to take a magnifying glass or jewelers loupe and look into your finish to see what's really there:wow:

 

[AL-53]

i did not know that, thanks for the tip. i don't understand how you get the paint clean "below the surface", and why would you want to if you're adding something on top of the surface?

Claying will remove surface contaminants..like road grime..fallout...minerals...overspray....and the like...

now your paint is micro porus to a point....and stuff gets in them...you can clay...correct and then use a paint cleaner and I quarantee your pad will come up black....

a product like ProPolish will emulsify any grime in the paint due the chemical make up of it....and deep clean it...the better the surface is cleaned the better the sealant has to bond...

Pro polish is very good paint cleaner....A must for getting the paint as clean as it can get....

try this..clay....correct ..and then take a white terry pad and go over the area....and see if it comes up clean or black....

Al

 

[blucpe]

when it's time to do that process again i will definitly give it a try. thanks again, never to old to learn.

 

[blk45]

Wow, this has turned out to be a very informative thread. Thanks to all for the info! :dcrules

 

[DCT]

the cleaner you can get the clearcoat the more brilliant the basecoat will be ..the waxes or sealants you use should be for enhancement of the finish below ...I think DCT would tell you to take a magnifying glass or jewelers loop and look into your finish to see what's really there:wow:

Exactly... brighter, clearer, and as Big-Al says... your glazes, waxes, or sealants will bond better.

And yes, I've been known to get out my trusty jewelers loupe on occasion.

 

[glen22]

Claying will remove surface contaminants..like road grime..fallout...minerals...overspray....and the like...

now your paint is micro porus to a point....and stuff gets in them...you can clay...correct and then use a paint cleaner and I quarantee your pad will come up black....

a product like ProPolish will emulsify any grime in the paint due the chemical make up of it....and deep clean it...the better the surface is cleaned the better the sealant has to bond...

Pro polish is very good paint cleaner....A must for getting the paint as clean as it can get....

try this..clay....correct ..and then take a white terry pad and go over the area....and see if it comes up clean or black....

Al

Ok guys it looks like I will pick up a pro polish and see what I have been missing.:bigups Nothing but time and have that!!:rockon