Paint smudge mark using clay?

[mdezmond]

I clayed my camaro yesterday and when I was done I found what looks like a slight discolored spot. It looks like a hazy blob in the clear coat. It wasn't there before I clayed the car. I've tried blemish remover and swirl remover and nothing works. Did I not use the clay correctly? I used final inspection quite liberally. Help!!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Paint smudge mark using clay?

Originally posted by mdezmond
I clayed my camaro yesterday and when I was done I found what looks like a slight discolored spot. It looks like a hazy blob in the clear coat. It wasn't there before I clayed the car. I've tried blemish remover and swirl remover and nothing works. Did I not use the clay correctly? I used final inspection quite liberally. Help!!

First let's start with what clay did you use?

Mike

[mdezmond]

I couldn't find any Meguiar's so I got Clay Magic. I washed the car and then used the clay while it was still wet along with Final inspection for extra lubricant.

[RamAirV1]

You probably didn't use enough lube and you have a clay smudge left on the surface. It will take some rubbing to get it out. It is very unusual for it to smudge, that is why I say you probably didn't use enough lube. There is another possibility though........

I have never used Final Inspection with Clay Magic, so I don't know how well they work together. I always use the lube with that comes with it and it works fine. The lube that comes with it is very slick (slicker than FI) and it doesn't take very much.

I use Clay Magic (blue version) all the time, it is very mild and will not scratch the paint. Just to cover all the bases, remember if you drop any clay bar you have to throw it away.

A paint cleaner like MPPC could be used to help remove the smudge. Others have used still more clay to remove the smudge.

RamAirV1

[Larry A]

When you use clay you must have a lite touch. The clay must move freely accross the paint surface , you are not scrubbing, use plenty of lube . when the clay starts to bind use more lube.

[mdezmond]

First, this is not my first time using clay. I've used Clay Magic and Meguiar's many times with Final Inspection and never had any problems. This is the first time I've had a problem like this that I couldn't fix. I've just used more clay, ScratchX and Wax Shop=Safecut and I still can't get the smudge off?

[Mike Phillips]

First we need to determine if it's smudge of clay, or if you have marred your car's finish.

Either way, a paint cleaner like ScratchX should fix the problem. If it's a smudge, the ScratchX should loosen and remove it. If you have marred your car's finish, (micro-scratched or dulled the surface), then 2-3 well-worked-in applications of ScratchX following the directions outlined in the link below should remove the marring and restore the gloss.

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

If you have in fact marred the surface, and the above method of using the ScratchX products does not remove the marring and restore the gloss, then it's possible only a machine applied professional product will do the job.

Mike

[Larry A]

Originally posted by mdezmond
First, this is not my first time using clay. I've used Clay Magic and Meguiar's many times with Final Inspection and never had any problems. This is the first time I've had a problem like this that I couldn't fix. I've just used more clay, ScratchX and Wax Shop=Safecut and I still can't get the smudge off?

Im sorry , I didnt know that you used clay before. Ive seen people use clay like they were using Comet to scrub out a kitchen sink.

[RamAirV1]

Does the area in question feel smooth? If yes, then it is in fact marred, probably by something that the clay picked up. It will take several applications of Scratch X to fix it. Like Mike said, if it is marred you may need to use a machine applied Professional formula like DACP.

If the area feels sticky, there is still clay on the surface and you need to use more of the Scratch X. The Scratch X will eventually get the clay off.

I had some of the older Meguiars clay smudge on my car on a very cold day and I used MPPC to get it off, and it only took one application.

RamAirV1

[mdezmond]

Sorry, I should have been more clear in my first post. The reason I'm confused is the surface coat over the smudge is perfect and smooth as glass. It's almost as if the smudge mark is under the clear coat.

[RamAirV1]

No problem. The paint is probably scratched there. If you don't have a G-100 and DACP, just keep using the Scratch X and follow Mike's directions. You may have to do 6 or 7 applications, but that will not hurt the clearcoat.

Sometimes stuff gets into the clay and you may not see it until after it has caused a few scratches. Just one of those things that coudl have happened to anyone.

RamAirV1

[mdezmond]

That's weird. I've never experienced this before. The rest of the car looks great. I guess I've got some intense work to do with some Scratch X. Thanks to everyone for all the help.

[RamAirV1]

It's frustrating. But it's impossible to keep all scratches from our paint, especially if it's a daily driver. But cars like the Camaro were meant to be driven IMHO, not to just sit in a garage. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to own more than one! I understand. I used to have a TA and a black one at that. But I would still get a black car again. I didn't get a black GTO because if I was going to get black it had to be non metallic.

RamAirV1

[mdezmond]

All the cars I've had including this one have been black. They're a PITA to keep clean but they look awesome! I drive them but only in sunny weather. I'm picky about this Camaro because it's an '02 SS model I special ordered with all the SLP options. Thaks again for the help.