When is a car too bad to clay?

fooked

AWD + 5k = :)
I'm doing a detail for someone with a extremely neglected car right now. Half the car is oxidized and looks almost pink in color. I started last night and washed and used the clay bar. It almost felt like I was rubbing the car with a rock. I was a little scared that I was going to scratch the car all up. I ended up doing the whole vehicle anyhow. It's much better now, but my question is should I have done it in the first place? When is it just too bad to even use a clay bar, and what would I do then?

Thanks!

Steve
 
A paint cleaner like AIO may have helped before you clayed because that should have removed the oxidation in the first place. Mst of the containiments would still be on the paint but I believe that the paint would be in much better shape.
 
A paint cleaner like AIO may have helped before you clayed because that should have removed the oxidation in the first place. Most of the containiments would still be on the paint but I believe that the paint would be in much better shape.
 
If you feel the bar starting to remove oxidation, it is much more efficient to remove the oxidation first. Use AIO, GEPC, or PB's Pro. Or, if its REALLY bad, polish, ABC wash, then clay it. Follow with an abrasive. Thats the fast track to finish restoration, if you don't have an ABC wash kit, clay will do the job too, it'll just take longer.
 
Back
Top