'13 Focus ST Tuxedo Black... Should I clay?

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muahman

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I did run a few searches on claying a new car but didn't really find the answer I was looking for. Maybe someone came help me out. Long story short:

Picked up a brand new 2013 Ford Focus ST in Tuxedo Black. Really amazing color with some almost color changing flek in it.

Surprisingly the dealership seems to have done a thorough delivery detailing. My paint is seemingly swirl free after inspection in my garage with a light. I'm 100% satisfied with the condition of my paint as it is. And this is my conundrum...

I did the standard two bucket wash. Cleaned it up nice. I wanted to hit with my Wolfgang Paint Sealant and a wax. Problem is when I do the baggie test I can definitely feel contamination in the paint. I have a couple of new Pinnacle clay bars. I really don't want to do it though. I think claying will only add swirls. Basically is it ok to seal and wax this car without a clay bar. I just need the best way to seal and wax the car with the paint in it's current condition.

Does that even make sense?
 
One option would be to do a chemical decontamination first, like Iron-X or the Finish Kare Decon kit. That may remove the contamination, or may remove enough of it for you to feel more comfortable claying it.

However, sure you can just seal and wax it the way it is, but without the proper surface prep you may not get the durability you're expecting, and depending on what the surface contaminant is, it will still be sitting on the surface possibly doing further damage.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
One option would be to do a chemical decontamination first, like Iron-X or the Finish Kare Decon kit. That may remove the contamination, or may remove enough of it for you to feel more comfortable claying it.

However, sure you can just seal and wax it the way it is, but without the proper surface prep you may not get the durability you're expecting, and depending on what the surface contaminant is, it will still be sitting on the surface possibly doing further damage.
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Thanks for the reply. I've never owned a black car before. These ST Focus are sorta hot right now and almost impossible to find. I doubt it's been sitting that long.

I'm trying to find out more about the paint that these Ford Global cars come with.

I'm not exactly experienced at polishing though I've done some good jobs with my Porter DA and the M105/205.

Seems like I have no choice but to try claying it on a spot somewhere and see if I get marring/swirling. Maybe a corner of the roof or bumper or something. It's just so glassy perfect now, best new car paint condition I've had for sure. Don't want to have my actions lessen the quality of the current paint condition.
 
Do the Baggies Test on a horizontal surface. Use a "thin" sandwich baggie, not a thick, heavy duty model.


Sounds like you got lucky! No "Horror Story" from the dealership. And for everyone reading this into the future...


It's completely possible to get a BRAND NEW CAR that needs to be clayed and buffed out...


Video & Pictures: 2012 Black Camaro Convertible - Blackfire Show Car Makeover!


Before Shots

I didn't get a lot or very good camera shots to show the before condition but here's a few....


This shot is just to frame up the below shot which I cropped out of this shot. The thing to remember is the entire finish, both horizontal panels and vertical panels were completely trashed with scratches.
2012CamaroFin016.jpg


2012CamaroFin017.jpg


This is the passenger side front corner of the hood...
2012CamaroFin018.jpg



Dull, hazy, filled with swirls and scratches and the clearcoat was no where near clear.
2012CamaroFin019.jpg




And this is off a BRAND NEW CAR?
If you watched the Live Broadcast, you saw me clay most, not all but most of JUST the hood. Keep in mind this Camaro has only 2000 miles on it since purchased new. Look at all the brown crud that came off the hood using Blackfire Detailing Clay.


Where has this car been since rolling out of the assembly plant?
Anyone want to guess what the brown stuff is?

2012CamaroFin020.jpg




The Baggie Test - How to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants


:)
 
Your car has a ceramic clear coat, as long as you use plenty of clay lube it shouldn't induce any swirls. Definitely do a test spot and see how it reacts.

I would use IronX before clay because a lot of what you're feeling is probably from railway transportation, so lots of rail dust.

Congrats on the new car!! I have a Tangerine Scream ST on order, won't be here until mid-November
 
Would guys suggest the paste, spray, or liquid version of the IronX? I'm leaning towards the spray.
 
muahman said:
Would guys suggest the paste, spray, or liquid version of the IronX? I'm leaning towards the spray.
Click to expand...

The spray, paste would be overkill.

Transmitted from my WiFi-enabled telegraph.
 
muahman said:
I did run a few searches on claying a new car but didn't really find the answer I was looking for. Maybe someone came help me out. Long story short:

Picked up a brand new 2013 Ford Focus ST in Tuxedo Black. Really amazing color with some almost color changing flek in it.

Surprisingly the dealership seems to have done a thorough delivery detailing. My paint is seemingly swirl free after inspection in my garage with a light. I'm 100% satisfied with the condition of my paint as it is. And this is my conundrum...

I did the standard two bucket wash. Cleaned it up nice. I wanted to hit with my Wolfgang Paint Sealant and a wax. Problem is when I do the baggie test I can definitely feel contamination in the paint. I have a couple of new Pinnacle clay bars. I really don't want to do it though. I think claying will only add swirls. Basically is it ok to seal and wax this car without a clay bar. I just need the best way to seal and wax the car with the paint in it's current condition.

Does that even make sense?
Click to expand...


I agree with you - do not mess with it. You are only asking for trouble.
 
If you have access to a DA I would IronX, clay and finally apply Optimum GPS (I love this stuff!) with a DA and any marring that you might have got will be polished out w/ the GPS while at the same time protecting the paint. Keep the clay well lubed and fold it often. That's what I would do, but if you're worried... just skip it. If it's a daily driver you WILL get swirls sooner or later and you could just clay and polish then.

GPS is a sprayable all in one by Optimum that has, surprisingly, very good correcting ability. You can top it with your WG sealant if you wanted.
 
Congrats on the ST, how is it to drive? Comparable to anything out there?

I'd go right ahead and clay and seal the car up the way you want to, that's what I did with my car last year, the next day I went to town on it and by the end of one week I had 7 coats of Zaino on the car (before I knew about AG)

Enjoy the new ride!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
muahman said:
I did run a few searches on claying a new car but didn't really find the answer I was looking for. Maybe someone came help me out. Long story short:

Picked up a brand new 2013 Ford Focus ST in Tuxedo Black. Really amazing color with some almost color changing flek in it.

Surprisingly the dealership seems to have done a thorough delivery detailing. My paint is seemingly swirl free after inspection in my garage with a light. I'm 100% satisfied with the condition of my paint as it is. And this is my conundrum...

I did the standard two bucket wash. Cleaned it up nice. I wanted to hit with my Wolfgang Paint Sealant and a wax. Problem is when I do the baggie test I can definitely feel contamination in the paint. I have a couple of new Pinnacle clay bars. I really don't want to do it though. I think claying will only add swirls. Basically is it ok to seal and wax this car without a clay bar. I just need the best way to seal and wax the car with the paint in it's current condition.

Does that even make sense?
Click to expand...

Well I understand why you dont want to claybar your car....its tireing and tideus. I dont use a claybar anymore but I use something alot faster, better and safer for the paint.

You say you can feel the contaminates on the paint so before you polish, lay sealant or wax you need to remove the contaminates before anything else or you should...I would and I do always.

I dont about Iron-X but I do know about the Nanoskin Autoscrubber for decontamination which I use.
 
ARizzle said:
Can anyone confirm? I've never heard of that statement before.
Click to expand...

Sure, you can swirl your car with clay. Remember, you are removing contaminants with the clay, those contaminants can also cause swirling depending on how much pressure you are using, how good your lube is, how often you clean/knead the clay, etc.

Also, some clays have abrasives in them to help them work, so there is some possibilty of the clay itself causing marring, depending on the grade, etc.

This is why everyone is telling the OP to chemically remove what he can, then he can use an ultra-fine clay and hopefully there won't be much for it to take off.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Sure, you can swirl your car with clay. Remember, you are removing contaminants with the clay, those contaminants can also cause swirling depending on how much pressure you are using, how good your lube is, how often you clean/knead the clay, etc.

Also, some clays have abrasives in them to help them work, so there is some possibilty of the clay itself causing marring, depending on the grade, etc.

This is why everyone is telling the OP to chemically remove what he can, then he can use an ultra-fine clay and hopefully there won't be much for it to take off.
Click to expand...

Alrighty, thanks for the reply!
 
Klasse Act said:
Congrats on the ST, how is it to drive? Comparable to anything out there?

I'd go right ahead and clay and seal the car up the way you want to, that's what I did with my car last year, the next day I went to town on it and by the end of one week I had 7 coats of Zaino on the car (before I knew about AG)

Enjoy the new ride!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

Drives great. I'm really torn. I'm coming from a Genesis 3.8 Track. I miss the RWD of the Genesis but they seem equally fast. Focus handles better for sure. Genesis is way more fun off the line. The interior of the Focus is pretty damn amazing for a 25k car. Leather Recaro seats. Awesome sound system. Way less road noise than any hothatch i've been in (big seller for me). 4 Doors usable trunk. I'm loving this car. Did I mention the gearbox is like butter?
 
Have you ever driven a Mazdaspeed 3? Love the new Focus ST and I see the Fiesta ST is up next....imagine how HOTT a Fusion ST would be!!!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
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