Tried Claybar, No Luck:(

[AlexSmith]

Not sure if it was the brand or anything. First time trying to use a claybar on my car. Lots of little hardly noticeable specks, and I figured why not. So I picked up a Meguiars kit that included to claybars, detailing spray, another spray and a microfiber rag. Didn't do much. What may be stronger to use and safe on clearcoat?

-Alex

[Qship5]

So you're saying that you clayed the car and when done you could still feel crud on the paint? (Basically it didn't feel smooth)

Claying is designed to re,ove contaminents from the surface of the paint, but will not correct paint damage like small chips in the clear coat from road debris, sand, etc.

Can you elaborate on exactly what you are trying to correct or even post a hi-res picture?

[AlexSmith]

So you're saying that you clayed the car and when done you could still feel crud on the paint? (Basically it didn't feel smooth)

Claying is designed to re,ove contaminents from the surface of the paint, but will not correct paint damahe like small chips in the clear coat from road debris, sand, etc.

Can you elaborate on exactly what you are trying to correct or even post a hi-res picture?

I'll get some pics up today.

-Alex

[Michael-Dallas]

When you clay bar a car, don't use any downward pressure at all. Let the horizontal motion "shear" the surface contaminants off the paint. Depending on the surface contaminant, it may take alot of motion for it to work.

///Michael

[Red Baron]

This is not product fault, it is operators inexperience (no insult intended).
I had same issue until Michael-Dallas showed me how to use it. :thumbsup2:

[Michael-Dallas]

Oh and make sure you keep the surface to be clayed very lubricated or you will end up adding scratches to your paint.

If this is your first time claying, then best to practice on another car. :D

///Michael

[RaceMX-M3]

My 2c's.. a clay bar will not remove any visible imperfections or damage to your clearcoat, it will remove surface contaminents that feel slightly rough to the touch. After claying your car it should feel smooth as butter. If the damage is visible you will need at least a high speed buffer and clearcoat cleaner. If you're through the clearcoat and into the paint you can use some touch up paint. If that doesn't look right just bite the bullet and have the affected area repainted. :dontknow:

[Titanium 325]

Alex, any updates? I clayed the trailblazer over the weekend with the same brand and had great results. As stated earlier, is the paint rough feeling, or has imperfections visible? Two different issues. Clay will make it smoother then glass, but you will need a buffer and a cutting compound to fix issues in the paint. But I will deferr that to the other experts on here.

I have an orbital buffer and have had good results with Scratch X removing swirils from my trailblazer, but harsh compounds can really ruin a finish if done wrong.

[Michael-Dallas]

Scratch-X is the shiznit and it's not very agressive at all.

///Michael

[John LMBZ06]

I have also used Scratch-X with pretty good results.