HELP! Is this clay marring or scratches? (time an issue!)

[Kristopher1129]

I have a thought about clay..Before I tried clay I really thought it was a professional type product but after using it I still believe this product can be trouble very fast. I just purchased some Sonus SFX ultra fine clay which I will use to spot clean when needed.

To get to my point. Shouldn't clay best be used by intermediate to advance as well as professional detailers due to the fact that claying technique is so important and the fact if something does go wrong which will happen eventually that these detailers will be able to correct and properly polish the marring or scratches that can happen when claying goes wrong that a novice or beginner would not be able to correct?

Something as simple as a light polish will get out any marring created by a clay bar. I wouldn't say it's something that should be strictly for experienced detailers. It's pretty user friendly if you ask me. As long as someone is using it correctly, with the right amount of lube....it doesn't typically create marring anyways. Even if it does...it's really easy to get out no matter what the skill level of detailer.

Now something like wet sanding, scratch repair, orange peel removal and things of that nature...I would say should be left to the professionals. Obviously with practice anyone can do it. But, much more serious things can go wrong during these processes. Clay bar doesn't seem so scary compared to those things.

 

[Blackthorn One]

I have a thought about clay..Before I tried clay I really thought it was a professional type product but after using it I still believe this product can be trouble very fast. I just purchased some Sonus SFX ultra fine clay which I will use to spot clean when needed.

To get to my point. Shouldn't clay best be used by intermediate to advance as well as professional detailers due to the fact that claying technique is so important and the fact if something does go wrong which will happen eventually that these detailers will be able to correct and properly polish the marring or scratches that can happen when claying goes wrong that a novice or beginner would not be able to correct?

Anyone can use clay, although you do need to be careful around rubber trim, because cleaning clay off rubber can be difficult and time consuming. I get the feeling that you were rubbing way too hard in order to get it done faster. Claying should be done by gliding it across a well lubed surface, not by rubbing with it as if you were polishing. Claying is just for removing the stuff that sticks out of the paint.

You need to let the clay do the work and if you want it done faster, you can only wipe faster, but never harder. Just be sure to control the clay so it doesn't fly out of your hands. It happens sometimes, and clay is expensive. I knew that before I started claying the first time, so I have always used about the smallest piece of clay I can hold in my hand, about half ounce to one ounce size. That way, if I drop it, it's not a major expense. Also, if I pick up a lot of really bad contamination on a particular panel, I can throw that little piece away and not lose money. I also try to work in small areas with my clay, so that the lube doesn't dry out too fast when I try to work too big an area.

 

[Mk23]

I have a thought about clay..Before I tried clay I really thought it was a professional type product but after using it I still believe this product can be trouble very fast. I just purchased some Sonus SFX ultra fine clay which I will use to spot clean when needed.

To get to my point. Shouldn't clay best be used by intermediate to advance as well as professional detailers due to the fact that claying technique is so important and the fact if something does go wrong which will happen eventually that these detailers will be able to correct and properly polish the marring or scratches that can happen when claying goes wrong that a novice or beginner would not be able to correct?

I think my main issue has been lube and clay, apparently you have to find the right tpye of lube before committing to the whole car, if it marrs a small area when you're drenching the area with your lube then it's either a too aggressive clay or not the right type of lube, in this case I think it is a little of both. That said I have never had ANY problems before this one incident and am convinced that Zaino has either changed their clay recipe or changed their quick detailer recipe.

Also, I found out from another forum (e90post.com) that P21s Paint Cleanser actually gets out marring and it's a spray! Doesn't get much easier than that, will have to have some on stand by for next time.

I'm pretty sure you can clay as a beginner and if you have the right clay and lube (do your research!) you will be fine.

Update too:

Just got my polishing done, got my coat of Opti-seal on and am doing my first coat of Natty's Blue tomorrow, will have to post pics after I'm done. :xyxthumbs: