Clay towel scratched my truck big time , what went wrong?

[Marc Hufnagel]

Just got my 2013 F150 FX4 and started to clay it last night, using the new clay towel that I was shown how to use personally by mr Mike Phillips. I thought I followed the same technique, but after I did a panel I found what looked to be marring on every high spot (orange peel I guess?) on hat fender. I used last touch Meg's cut 1:1.

I was able to remove it all using a white pad and m205 on a flex @ 5.

The surface was clean and I did prep the towel by rubbing on a window with lube first as I have read about. The marks almost looked like a very lite wet sand with a very fine grade paper,

I'm quite hesitant to try again now, I'll try to see if I can find any left over and get a pic later today.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I forgot to add it was a speedy prep fine grade.

 

[TheCougarGuy]

I had the same result when I tried it on the hood of my 96 Thunderbird. I never had that happen with clay.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

the speedy prep towel needs to be broken in on glass for a bit. I know you said you used it on glass after using on paint, but I was wondering if you did that step?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

The surface was clean and I did prep the towel by rubbing on a window with lube first as I have read about.

I haven't used this product, but if I wanted to break it in I wouldn't use the same lube I use on paint. I'd try it with water and if that was too grabby, I'd try with just a few drops of car wash in a bucket (that's presuming clean glass first). I don't know if that would have helped, but I'd want less lube for more break-in. Someday I'll use up all the clay I hoarded years ago and get around to using one of these replacement products.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

the speedy prep towel needs to be broken in on glass for a bit. I know you said you used it on glass after using on paint, but I was wondering if you did that step?

Well I said I prepped it first on the glass..

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Well I said I prepped it first on the glass..

oops sorry missed that!

marring can happen with any type of clay, have you tried a normal fine clay and seen if that also mars? That would tell you if it's the towel or just your paint.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I haven't used this product, but if I wanted to break it in I wouldn't use the same lube I use on paint. I'd try it with water and if that was too grabby, I'd try with just a few drops of car wash in a bucket (that's presuming clean glass first). I don't know if that would have helped, but I'd want less lube for more break-in. Someday I'll use up all the clay I hoarded years ago and get around to using one of these replacement products.

Like another said I've never had this happen with a clay bar. I'm glad I was able to remove the damage, but I don't want to see that again! The only thing I can think is maybe the lube but I've used that same bottle with clay bars, so maybe used too much pressure but I tried to replicate what Mike showed me in Evansville.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

oops sorry missed that!

marring can happen with any type of clay, have you tried a normal fine clay and seen if that also mars? That would tell you if it's the towel or just your paint.

I've never had marring to any degree to speak of, never anything close to light sanding mark appearance,

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Like another said I've never had this happen with a clay bar. I'm glad I was able to remove the damage, but I don't want to see that again! The only thing I can think is maybe the lube but I've used that same bottle with clay bars, so maybe used too much pressure but I tried to replicate what Mike showed me in Evansville.

I was really asking if you got it broken in enough. These clay replacements, from the first one (Ultima Elastrofoam) have always had a rep for causing marring.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I was really asking if you got it broken in enough. These clay replacements, from the first one (Ultima Elastrofoam) have always had a rep for causing marring.

I think I got it broken in. Think is the word but what I see you wrote about them in general makes me think it might be more the towel itself than the Breakin process or a combo of both.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

I've never had marring to any degree to speak of, never anything close to light sanding mark appearance,

I'm confused, have you used a clay bar on this particular truck before and didn't get marring?

Because in your OP, it says that you just got this car, so it seems to imply that this is the first time clay or a clay alternative has touched this particular truck, so I'm unsure how you can say that normal clay wouldn't mar this truck.

 

[spiralout462]

If I apply any pressure whatsoever when I clay my truck it will marr the paint.

 

[cardaddy]

I was really asking if you got it broken in enough. These clay replacements, from the first one (Ultima Elastrofoam) have always had a rep for causing marring.

Now this is just me speaking out in class, but.....
It's my understanding that the "clay alternatives" biggest selling point is they provide as much or even more cleaning ability than clay and do it, over a much longer lifespan.

With of course the benefit of being able to drop on the floor, rinse & repeat.

Keeping that in mind, it only seems logical that when brand new the working surface would be more agressive (perhaps substantly) than a mild clay, in order to, over the lifetime of the product, continue to provide quantifiable and measurable results. Which is the reason after all that they are so much more costly than even expensive clay. :dunno: I suspect with that 'break-in' period behind that the results would more mirror what we've all become accustomed to seeing with 'clay'.

 

[CM8 6MT]

I cant speak for this product because I've never tried it. However, Im a firm believer in not "trying to re-invent the wheel". Clay bar works fine for me, it has for many years. Stick to what works, unless something comes along that totally blows whatever you were using out of the water.

 

[swanicyouth]

I have the CG's Clay Block. I've only used it once so far on a rental, as if it marred it wasn't going to mar my car. But, I was pleasantly surprised.

Just a thought, but I like the block because its very easy to regulate downward pressure and apply even pressure over the face of the block. I've never used the towel, but it seems you would have to hold a little pressure on the towel to "hold the fold", and your fingers would introduce pressure points - but again, I've never used it.

Props for doing a test spot and not doing your whole car.

I'm wondering if there could be some type of "intra-product variation" with these things. As, maybe different batches have different amounts of aggressiveness. Just thinking aloud.

Another thing is, I always use detail spray undiluted and a lot of it. Yes, it is costly, but your shouldn't have to clay often.

What about using it with a bucket of soapy car wash with high lube properties, like Optimum Car Soap ?

 

[Hoytman]

I cant speak for this product because I've never tried it. However, Im a firm believer in not "trying to re-invent the wheel". Clay bar works fine for me, it has for many years. Stick to what works, unless something comes along that totally blows whatever you were using out of the water.

The new foam "clay" products do indeed blow typical clay out of the water...if for nothing else that you can keep using it after dropping it so long as you wash it, that aside from the other benefits this new technology brings to the game.

However, Cardaddy brings up some valid points in his post. I too have experienced heavy marring with the hi-tech sponge even after break-in on the glass of 4 auto's. Once it's broken in they do an extremely nice job in an easier fashion, faster, less effort...especially the ones used by machine.

I don't yet own a speedy prep towel, or the nanoskin pads for a dual action polisher. After seeing them in use in Evansville, I have no fear of using them. I do, however, understand they have a break-in period. I can easily except that for the trade-offs involved, mainly the time savings involved. That alone make them worth using. Time is money.

I won't replace all of my clay, I simply won't be required to keep as much on hand. I'm not knocking on clay because I like to use it. However, this new technology is a game changer.

I look forward to stepping into the future.

 

[Espyone]

I use the clay mitt by Nanoskin. I break in it on glass before every use. IMO when it it is dry it has a tendency to hardened back a bit. With these new clay replacement use light pressure and lube the area well. This will lessened the chance of scratching or marring the paint. I rinse it after every section I do to keep it as clean as possible. Just my experience. I have not noticed any scratching or marring as of yet, but most of the time when I use the mitt I at least polish out.

 

[dad07]

I'm confused, have you used a clay bar on this particular truck before and didn't get marring?

Because in your OP, it says that you just got this car, so it seems to imply that this is the first time clay or a clay alternative has touched this particular truck, so I'm unsure how you can say that normal clay wouldn't mar this truck.

:whs:I too would like to here the answer.....and would like to add what color is the truck?

 

[TundraPower]

(1). You have to make 100% sure the towel is broken in properly. (2). You have to use a lot, I mean a lot, of lube. You cannot cheat and use 90% water and 10% lube like you can with clay.