Clay bar and rough paint question
10-03-2011, 08:38 AM
#1
Racer
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Clay bar and rough paint question
Well, When I bought the perdy new Crystal red GS a week ago, I inspected every square inch of the paint, but I did run my hand over it. Anyway, ive been keeping it dusted until lst night I noticed the paint job wasnt smooth which at first got me overthinking it. I figure its road crap, overspray from factory etc.. I did a Meguires clay bar on my C5 when my company accidently dusted it with overspray from painting equipment. It worked great. I figure if a good hot wash doesnt work, I will clay bar it. Ive read a few posts and it seems like comparing Zaino to anything on this forum is like starting a caliber war on the handgun forum. Is it worth it to order the Zaino, or is the Meguires clay bar thats 9 bucks a the store 2 miles away just as good? Im only asking about the clay, not the wax etc...BTW With my C5, I parked under a tree at my moms for 3 nights when I stayed. Didnt notice the tree sap on the drivers window. 
I rolled the window up and down a few times and that crap (sap) locked up the window. That wasnt fun
Sorry, I got off subject.
I rolled the window up and down a few times and that crap (sap) locked up the window. That wasnt fun Sorry, I got off subject.
Last edited by hihoSilver; 10-03-2011 at 08:41 AM.
10-03-2011, 08:48 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Wash with regular dawn first if paint is not smooth then clay put on some wax of your choice. Nxt 2.0 or zanio would be my 2 choices. How old is the car?
z51vett
z51vett
Last edited by z51vett; 10-03-2011 at 08:50 AM.
10-03-2011, 10:05 AM
#4
Race Director
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I am wondering if the roughness you feel on your paint isn't heavy water spots?
If it is, wiping down the paint with lots of vinegar will be easier than claying the car. Just make sure you leave the vinegar on the paint for at least 10 minutes to disolve the calcium in the water spots. The rinse real good.
Use the vinegar full strength, and wipe lots of it on the car ... Wont harm you paint at all
If it's not water spots, certainly use the clay bar.
Apply wax of your choice when your finished.
If it is, wiping down the paint with lots of vinegar will be easier than claying the car. Just make sure you leave the vinegar on the paint for at least 10 minutes to disolve the calcium in the water spots. The rinse real good.
Use the vinegar full strength, and wipe lots of it on the car ... Wont harm you paint at all
If it's not water spots, certainly use the clay bar.
Apply wax of your choice when your finished.
10-03-2011, 10:25 AM
#5
Safety Car
Clay bar from your local auto parts store is good enough. The advice given so far is good but if the clay doesn't help try some 3m Perfect-it. It's not cheap but does a great job at smoothing/cleaning the paint.
10-03-2011, 10:38 AM
#6
Racer
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thanks for the recommendations guys. The car is a 2011. The dealer in Grapevine did a car swap with a Houston Dealer. I wanted the Crytal red, or I would have gone with a 2012. I hear this color is no longer constrained. I guess there may not be any 2012's in crystal red? Not sure. Anyway. Going to give it a good wash first and see. When I rub with my finger, it swirls up like an oil (or maybe just my oily fingers) but the little specks feel harder then sap. If it got sap on it, then baked in under the Texas sun this summer, I could see why it would feel hard. If a clay bar and elbow grease it what it takes to get the hard to find color I wanted, and get it silky smooth, then I can handle that.
