Applicators & Cleaner Wax

[William_F]

I used a clay kit on both of our cars recently and applied the cleaner wax that comes with it. As I was applying it, I noticed the white applicators I was using getting blacker and blacker.

I realized at the time that it was the extra crud the clay didn't pick up and I was amazed. In my state of amazement, it never occured to me that I could be grinding the crud into the paint.

Is this something to be worried about or is it ok as long as there is no grit on the surface of the pad?

[Murr1525]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

The clay is meant to get the big peices of crud, and the cleaner is meant to lift off dirt from the pores. So it was doing what it is meant to do. Thoug has you mention, it would be ideal to have as little dirt as possible.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

What year, make and model of vehicle are you working on? Any chance the paint is single stage black? That will turn your applicator as black as the paint because it will literally pull color from the paint. Scary as that sounds, it is perfectly normal, and completely safe.

[William_F]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

2004 PT Crusier base model with Graphite Metallic paint.

Will the black crud on the applicator pads damage my finish?

[Murr1525]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

No, the big scratchy bits should be gone with the clay.

However, if I am doing a car, and the applicator gets real black (not from black paint), I may pick up a clean one.

And of course you can wash them after.

[William_F]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

I did change them out when the whole surface got nasty but I was just concerned that I wasn't changing them enough.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

2004 PT Crusier base model with Graphite Metallic paint.

Will the black crud on the applicator pads damage my finish?

My apologies...... your car sits outside all the time, doesn't it? We've talked a bit about car care for apartment residents and the challenges posed by same. As long as your clay is no longer pulling bonded contaminants from the surface then the paint cleaner is simply pulling embedded dirt out of the paint. On Graphite Metallic it may not be readily apparent just how much dirt can become embedded IN the paint, but we've seen some lighter colors appear to go several shades lighter after a good paint cleaning.

On the other hand, if you did an incomplete job claying then you may have a different issue. But generally cleaner wax won't be terribly effective at removing bonded contaminants. It's probably a good idea, if indeed you're pulling a lot of embedded dirt out of the paint, to use several fresh pads in the process of paint cleaning. Cleanliness is important here!

[William_F]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

That was me, Michael

How do you know if you've done an incomplete job with the clay? I can see and feel a HUGE difference in the paint of both vehicles. I was working from the assumption that when the clay has virtually no resistance going over the surface and I can no longer hear the scraping sound of the clay, that section was clean. At that point, I moved on to the next section.

[CieraSL]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

How do you know if you've done an incomplete job with the clay? I can see and feel a HUGE difference in the paint of both vehicles. I was working from the assumption that when the clay has virtually no resistance going over the surface and I can no longer hear the scraping sound of the clay, that section was clean. At that point, I moved on to the next section.

If you haven't seen this video, then go ahead and watch it. Particularly pay attention at 2:09-2:20.

[Tuck91]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

That was me, Michael

How do you know if you've done an incomplete job with the clay? I can see and feel a HUGE difference in the paint of both vehicles. I was working from the assumption that when the clay has virtually no resistance going over the surface and I can no longer hear the scraping sound of the clay, that section was clean. At that point, I moved on to the next section.

After you clay a section of the vechile, lightly glide your clean palm over the finish, the finish should feel nice and smooth. You are correct in that you should feel no resistance.

Whenever I clay a panel I always feel it with it with the palm of my clean hand. Sometimes I will feel a rough patch that I missed and re-clay that section or If I am not in a hurry and time is not an issue I just re clay the entire section for peace of mind.

As for your applicator, you are likely removing embedded dirt in the paint as Mike stated.

Here, give this thread a read too:

1975 Corvette Extreme Makeover - The Importance of a Paint Cleaner

[William_F]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

Thanks, Ciera!

I had seen that which is why I figured when it wasn't rasping any more and the clay was basically floating on the paint I was good to go. I was second guessing my clay job because the pads were coming up filthy.

[William_F]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

As for your applicator, you are likely removing embedded dirt in the paint as Mike stated.

So it sounds like this is similar to the situation described in the Corvette thread if I understand this correctly. Should I consider an applicaiton of Swirl X or Deep Crystal Cleaner before my next waxing? What's the difference between the two?

[Tuck91]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

So it sounds like this is similar to the situation described in the Corvette thread if I understand this correctly. Should I consider an applicaiton of Swirl X or Deep Crystal Cleaner before my next waxing? What's the difference between the two?

One or two well worked in applications of the A12 Cleaner Wax should do a good job removing most of the dirt embedded in the paint, or if you need something a little stronger you could go with ColorX.

As for DC1 or SwirlX, you could use either one before waxing, they are both dedicated cleaners and will do a slightly better job of cleaning the paint prior to waxing, SwirlX is going to be a bit more aggressive.

Whatever product you choose, your goal is to get the paint clean prior to applying a coat of wax. Technique is important as well, so be sure to use an ample amount of product to remove a lot of the embedded dirt in the paint, and for a cleaner like DC1 or a cleaner/polish like SwirlX remove it after you are done thoroughly working it into the paint.

Hope this helps.

[Murr1525]

Re: Applicators & Cleaner Wax

I was second guessing my clay job because the pads were coming up filthy.

Remember, clay only gets the bits on top. The cleaner gets into the pores/imperfections.

Should I consider an applicaiton of Swirl X or Deep Crystal Cleaner before my next waxing? What's the difference between the two?

Possibly. The Cleaner/Wax is a very mild cleaner. If you feel like you still may have dirt left behind, you may want to move to a stronger cleaner.

ColorX is a possibility, as it is a stronger cleaner/wax. It is my choice for daily drivers, then top with Nxt 2.0.

DC Cleaner and SwirlX are also options as mentioned above.