Clay bar scratches

[20L8TSierra24]

I polished my truck a few months ago and it was perfect until I clayed it this last weekend. I've washed it 20 times since polishing and it has looked great until the clay bar... Boy did the clay bar scratch/swirl it up... I used the mothers clay kit, used both the bars, & kept kneading them trying to keep them fresh. I also used the whole bottle of instant detailer. So.... Here I am polishing it again this morning!

[20L8TSierra24]

Lol i just realized the title says clear bar... Moderator if you may, change it to clay!

[RyanbabZ71]

Fixed

 

Did you wash your truck before claying? I assume so

 

 

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[mjoekingz28]

I was quite nervous when using a claybar for the first time. It was a Meguiars kit I used on my truck about 18 months ago. I washed the truck, but do not remember if I dried it. I used the whole bottle of the ncluded instant detailer. I remember the bar being very hard/stiff so I was very hesitant to bare down on it. I really didnt know what I was doing, but have been detailing my own cars for about 20 years.

 

 

Here is maybe some things that will help you. The spray is not just for the paintwork, but to introduce moisture INTO the clay. And this can time some time and work. Feel with your hand where the paint is not glass smooth and progressively rub the clay firmer into that area all the while keeping the area wet with detailer. When done, hose off and wash or just instant detail the whole truck and then hopefully you can wax it soon.

[20L8TSierra24]

Fixed

 

Did you wash your truck before claying? I assume so

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I always pressure wash it,then wash with 2 buckets 2 buckets, and microfiber dry. After I clayed it and waxed right after. The clay bar 100% scratched it because the scratches were in straight lines from front to back and they weren't there before. I even wash all my microfibers between washes as well! I don't even use the rag the clay kit comes with because I feel like it's a pretty cheap rag!

[20L8TSierra24]

I was quite nervous when using a claybar for the first time. It was a Meguiars kit I used on my truck about 18 months ago. I washed the truck, but do not remember if I dried it. I used the whole bottle of the ncluded instant detailer. I remember the bar being very hard/stiff so I was very hesitant to bare down on it. I really didnt know what I was doing, but have been detailing my own cars for about 20 years.

 

 

Here is maybe some things that will help you. The spray is not just for the paintwork, but to introduce moisture INTO the clay. And this can time some time and work. Feel with your hand where the paint is not glass smooth and progressively rub the clay firmer into that area all the while keeping the area wet with detailer. When done, hose off and wash or just instant detail the whole truck and then hopefully you can wax it soon.

My brother details cars for a living and he said that GM vehicles have a very soft clear coat and scratch way easier than other manufacturers. I use all high-end Chemical Guys stuff other than the polish. I use 3m Perfect it polish. I used the whole bottle of instant detailer and now I'm reading online that there is different grades of clay.

[20L8TSierra24]

Before. You can see the straight lines. The whole truck except for the roof was like this ( I didn't clay the roof lol)

After 6 hours of 3m polishing!

[lineman74]

I am by all means no expert, but from what you have said, it sounds like your clay bar has been contaminated.

My brother details cars for a living and he said that GM vehicles have a very soft clear coat and scratch way easier than other manufacturers. I use all high-end Chemical Guys stuff other than the polish. I use 3m Perfect it polish. I used the whole bottle of instant detailer and now I'm reading online that there is different grades of clay.

I had always heard gm clear coat was fairly hard and required more extensive polishing to remove swirl marks and scratches. Again, no expert, just what I had been told

[20L8TSierra24]

I am by all means no expert, but from what you have said, it sounds like your clay bar has been contaminated.

I had always heard gm clear coat was fairly hard and required more extensive polishing to remove swirl marks and scratches. Again, no expert, just what I had been told

It was brand new! I just bought the clay kit at AutoZone and didn't do any other vehicles with it! I did the tailgate, and drivers side with one bar, and the hood and passenger side with the other. I never use a single bar for a whole vehicle! I also knead the clay extensively while using! This is the first time I used the mothers kit. I usually buy Maguire's stuff so maybe that's the difference?

[03blackz71]

Not good at all. Looks worse than my almost 4 year old truck. I just finished doing a quick hand polish, seal, and 2 coats of wax last week. Next spring I need to get a machine to do a complete paint correction.

 

 

When using the clay bar did you knead the claybar alot and fold it over on itself? I also don't use much pressure at all, just let it glide on the surface.

[lineman74]

Definitely sucks my friend. That would be the last clay bar kit I bought from AutoZone for sure

[20L8TSierra24]

Definitely sucks my friend. That would be the last clay bar kit I bought from AutoZone for sure

I must have picked up some wicked contaminants before I clayed.. The first time I clayed the truck (when I brought it home) it was this bad after as well. I didn't polish before waxing the first time because I didn't have time. Both times the clear had consistent marks and not just normal swirls was after claying.

[lineman74]

I must have picked up some wicked contaminants before I clayed.. The first time I clayed the truck (when I brought it home) it was this bad after as well. I didn't polish before waxing the first time because I didn't have time. Both times the clear had consistent marks and not just normal swirls was after claying.

So both times you have clayed with the same results?

[SMJ24]

Check out adamspolishes.com, great products and helpful videos and forum. You'll never go back to autozone for cleaning supplies again.

[Imcrazy]

I

 

Check out adamspolishes.com, great products and helpful videos and forum. You'll never go back to autozone for cleaning supplies again.

concur, ditch that autozone meguiars stuff and get Adams stuff. However, I really like the autoscrub http://www.nanoskinusa.com/collections/autoscrub-system/products/autoscrub-6-pad-fine-gradeover traditional clay.