TTP

Well,

I had previously purchased the Zaino Show Car wax
kit that is highly regarded on the Corvette Forum.

Being new at this, I simply followed the directions which
recommends removing any previous wax and contaminates
from the paint with the ClayBar process prior to applying
the Z5 and Z2 wax mixes.

So I did this, only to end up scratching the heck out of my clearcoat.
Thousands of hairline type scratches all over. I never realized I was doing
this damage until I was done the process and then noticed it later,
from the reflection of the garage light onto the car.

I must have got some dirt into the ClayBar which caused this to happen.
Since then, I have now put 3 coats of wax, Z5 which should repair
scratches and such. No luck..It seems the damage must be too extreme
as these scratches aren't going away.

My next option seems to order the Z-PC another Zaino product which
is supposed to repair this damage or take it to a Chevrolet bodyshop
and see what they can do in order to repair it.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,,

blacksedan87

Claybar will not scratch the surface unless you dropped it and it had contaminents in it. Did you use a spray lubricant of some sort?

I don't know what to tell you other than an awful lot of CF Members here have used claybar from many different sources with a great deal of success. Sorry for your troubles.

mvvette97

Just take it to any body shop and have them buff it. If some of the scratches are too deep they will have to wet sand it some. Nothing that a buffer shouldn't fix. Try having your father inlaw crash into the side of a 98 Z28 with a motorcycle. Needless to say the ol buffer wouldn't fix that.

TTP

I didn't drop it,,I used the Z7 Car wash spray as a lubricant.

The ClayBar and wax kit was purchased 2 years ago.
I wonder if it would have an effective date to it. Not sure.

mrgil

Trevor;
fwiw I think when you removed whatever was on the paint using the claybar you simply exposed what was hidden under the wax and crud you removed.
If you really want to get rid on the scratches you will need a Porter Cable 7424 Random orbital polisher and some good scratch remover like 3m or Maguires or Mothers, and go at it. My Black Vert shines like a %4#4%%%ss.
mrgil

Rans03

Wow, I use Z7 and water as the lube, and have had no trouble.

But I found that you need to lube PLENTY, I ended up spraying all the time where I was claying, It has worked fine many times. Maybe the clay needed turned more

Good luck

Ducman69

Claybars have to be extremely clean. I don't know about that one, but usually it recommends using a claybar only once or twice max and the car has to be 100% perfectly clean. You occasionally fold over the claybar while working to "refresh" it.

What probably happened is that a sand-like piece of dirt got wedged in there and then with some pressure was dragged across the finish. It doesn't take much.

You need to bring it somewhere where they can buff out the clearcoat. The nicer car-wash places can do this (check for exotics in the lot) or paint shops, etc. Don't worry, a buddy jacked his clearcoat up REALLY bad using a brush and with some buffing we were able to bring it back to life.

Privetjet

I feel your pain... I've had the same problem after claying a new black car ( not the vette ) Scratched the #@$!# out of it. I will never allow clay near anything again . Yes I did follow all the instructions and researched how to use it and was skepticle but figured that everyone raves how good it works. Maybe the clay picked up some grit along the way but kneading and excessive lubrication sure didn't work for me . I hope that the damage is repairable .

DaBoz

The clay bar is a great tool..... there are some things that some people should just leave to other people... let someone else detail your car.

ooh yeah

Sorry only possible if you drop it. Use it a million times and the clay bar will not do that. Now when you use the Z5 all the scratches showed up because thet were already in the paint. Probably from use a non 100% cotton rag

StuzVette

If you use Z7...you should definitely be using plenty of water...
...but I recommend car wash detergent for more protection...

...as I hitchhike if I may...

I used Scratch X by Maguiars on the whole body of StuzVette...
...no scratches or water spots or risk of dropping the clay bar...

Frankly looks and feels smoother than anything Ive used...
...I would try it on a SMALL AREA 1 ft square and see if this helps you...

It helped me...


peace
Stu

Zilla

The car is a 98 and has been washed hundreds of times but don't you think the thousand of scratches could of been there from the washing of the car?

Plus before you blame Zaino for the orange peel in the paint job, Zaino just enhances the orange peel that was there from the Factory.

iceburgh

You say that the clay was 2 years old. Was it in a sealed bag of some type?
If not it could have gotten hard and it will then scratch your paint.
Are you coming to Carlisle by chance this weekend? If so I will help you get the scratches out.
If not you can do it but you will need to geta orbital and use the correct products....not hard to do but it will take some time.
If you need an orbital let me know and I can help you get an entire kit that will fix yu up.

screw991le

Did you fold the clay alot? 2 years old? I would not have used it, sorry. I have clayed plenty of my cars and not 1 scratch. You drop it, even on a clean floor or have dirty hands, the bar is no good.

RDVT4ME

How hard were you pressing down as you ran the clay over the paint? You should be using very very light pressure. Pressing too hard can cause scratches.

Vetteman Jack

A bodyshop should be able to buff out the scratches for you. Sorry this happened - must have been some contaminants on the bar.

schpenxel

yea let a body shop buff it and it should come right out.. personally i would NOT take it to the dealership for this, find a good private body shop..a good one cares more than almost any dealer

StrayDog

If you dropit........throw it away ASAP........Also use plenty of lubricant on a cool surface......somthing was imbeded in the clay...........

SilverRoadster00

norsemn

Stu,
I have some of that Meguiars swirl remover stuff....u think it is better than clay? I returned all the stuff I got from Griots and am about to place a order for Zaino. This will be used on a black 00 vert that I can see has been through (my opinion) the car wash MANY times. No doubt about itthat I need the Fusion first.