Clay bar help!!

[savannahlyn42]

Ok! So I washed my car using the car shampoo then did the plastic bag test to feel my paint and it was bumpy and horrible! Then I clay bar across the whole car the way they did in the video. I preformed the baggy test again afterward and it was still rough and bumpy and felt gross. What did I do wrong??? Helppppp!  

[Sizzle Chest]

You may have to re-clay again.  Sometimes your finish can have some heavier bonded contaminants that a 'simple' claying wont' handle.

 

Try it again, work the areas a little longer, and perhaps give the clay a little more pressure.  (use plenty of clay lube!)

 

Try one area like this as a 'test spot' and then do the baggie test.  Then proceed.

 

Let us know how you make out!

Edited September 20, 2014 by Sizzle Chest

[Gen9Rolla]

Sizzle Chest said it perfectly already. Just try it again and really take your time when you do it. Has the car ever been clayed before?

[Thorsager]

How long have you had your car and was it ever clayed before? What I would do is clay 1/4 of you hood again. To check the paint I use my bare hand. After claying the section go between the clayed and unclayed spots. It may just have a lot of contaminates. Also after each panel rework the clay.  

[savannahlyn42]

You may have to re-clay again.  Sometimes your finish can have some heavier bonded contaminants that a 'simple' claying wont' handle.

 

Try it again, work the areas a little longer, and perhaps give the clay a little more pressure.  (use plenty of clay lube!)

 

Try one area like this as a 'test spot' and then do the baggie test.  Then proceed.

 

Let us know how you make out!

 

 

Sizzle Chest said it perfectly already. Just try it again and really take your time when you do it. Has the car ever been clayed before?

 

 

How long have you had your car and was it ever clayed before? What I would do is clay 1/4 of you hood again. To check the paint I use my bare hand. After claying the section go between the clayed and unclayed spots. It may just have a lot of contaminates. Also after each panel rework the clay.  

 

I bought the car about three months ago and this was the first time I have clayed it so it has probably never been clayed before and I just need to do it again more thoroughly. Thanks for the help I will try it again! I will also be sure to rework the clay more often I think that will help.

[07stanggt]

Take your time, most importantly. Are you using Adams Detail Spray to clay with? That will help with lubricity for the claybar and will help in smoothing out the paint.

[Drive XR7]

Claying is time consuming and requires alot of elbow grease. It's not for the faint of heart. There are other products out there that can be attached to a random orbital buffer that make this much easier. I've never tried one, but once my supply of clay is used up, I will. I hate claying. It's the worst step ever.

[Chris@Adams]

Like the guys mentioned sometimes it take multiple passes and don't be afraid to apply a little pressure.

[Tim]

Claying is time consuming and requires alot of elbow grease. It's not for the faint of heart. There are other products out there that can be attached to a random orbital buffer that make this much easier. I've never tried one, but once my supply of clay is used up, I will. I hate claying. It's the worst step ever.

Be careful with the nano scrub on the DA. I have one, but will only use it when I am working on a trashed car as it mars the paint quite easily.

[LFairbanks]

I have noticed when claying that you can hear it removing the contaminants.  Sounds like sandpaper.  I also will look at the clay as I do the job and fold it over regularly.

[egott_91]

Claying is definitely a process that requires pressure to remove the stubborn contaminants. A simple swipe of the clay on the surface will barely remove anything. As mentioned already, just make sure to use enough lube so that the clay doesn't stick and mar the paint. I had this happen before I used Adams and couldn't figure out why, then I decided to actually learn about detailing and figured it out. Luckily, marring can be removed.

[savannahlyn42]

Like the guys mentioned sometimes it take multiple passes and don't be afraid to apply a little pressure.

 

 

I have noticed when claying that you can hear it removing the contaminants.  Sounds like sandpaper.  I also will look at the clay as I do the job and fold it over regularly.

 

 

Claying is definitely a process that requires pressure to remove the stubborn contaminants. A simple swipe of the clay on the surface will barely remove anything. As mentioned already, just make sure to use enough lube so that the clay doesn't stick and mar the paint. I had this happen before I used Adams and couldn't figure out why, then I decided to actually learn about detailing and figured it out. Luckily, marring can be removed.

 

 

I will be sure to apply more pressure. I was definitely worried about pushing to hard with the clay when I did it. Thanks everyone!

[OutLore]

It could also be other fallout (iron, sap) - which may take a chemical to remove if the clay doesn't get it.