Clay/Clay Mitt and marring.

[Lamented]

Looking for advice on using a clay product. I have read conflicting information on using clay bars and mitts. Is it possible to use either without causing micro marring?

Thanks

 

[gizzsdad]

My experience is that most marring events are user error. Too much pressure or too little lube.

I've not used actual clay since getting my Nanoskin mitts.

 

[chet31]

You're pulling something like a metallic fragment out of the clear coat with a sideways motion, not sure how you guarantee there will be no micro-marring. I only clay when I plan to polish afterwards.

 

[TTQ B4U]

Looking for advice on using a clay product. I have read conflicting information on using clay bars and mitts. Is it possible to use either without causing micro marring?

I like clay mitts and nano sponges way more. The reason is I use extremely soapy water as my lube. Washes away the contaminants better than clay lube and IMO is slicker.

In terms of marring, it all depends on the condition of the paint being cleaned and your technique. Short answer is on a coated vehicle or one that is relatively in great shape that happens to have say tree sap or some type of random occurance of falllout on it, yes, you can decontaminate them without any marring using one of the sponges as I described. On these sealed surfaces the bonded material comes off far far easier than on a car that is not sealed and perhaps coming in for a full detail due to neglect or has been done in a year or so. Make sense?

On a well cared for vehicle, just use little to no real pressure and gently wipe a cleaned / washed surface with the spnoge and use plenty of water to wash away what you pull off. I've done my personal vehicles including a pure black car with no issues. Now on one that is coming to me for work, yes, you will see marring and very light trails from where I decontaminated them. Not a big deal as they buff out with ease.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

My personal practice is anytime I'm going to clay a car be it with clay or a clay substitute, I'm already planning on doing at least one machine polishing process to remove any potential marring.

It's possible to mechanically decontaminate paint via rubbing some form of material over the paint and NOT scratch the paint but I think the potential for marring is there and for most people - likely.