Hello all,

So, my car's paint is in very good shape. Even though it's a black car, and it does have some fine micro-scratches, I would say the condition overall is excellent.

This morning, while detailing my car, I noticed a few dots on certain areas of my car's clear coat that contain tiny, dots of rust - they are VERY VERY tiny, I would say less than a millimeter in diameter. I live very near a railroad track, and I'm pretty sure these are metal shavings that come off during a clay bar process.

I just went on DetailedImage.com and noticed there are many types of clay bars and lubricating sprays, and I would like to know what's recommended for a car with paint that's in great shape. I'm not sure I want to use the medium grade because apparently it can be rough on the surface of the car, but then I'm not sure if the fine grade is what I need?!?

What do people in my situation use? Has anyone experienced the whole "rusty metal shavings" on the clear coat?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, I should go ahead and wax my car right after a clay bar session correct?

Thanks!

 

I have BO and detail a lot. I wouldn't get medium grade clay unless your paint is in poor condition which by your description and the photos in your other post it doesn't seem to be. I personally have used the Clear Kote fine grade clay bar. I originally used the Clear Kote Quik Shine clay bar lube, but once it was used up I switched to other products I liked better.

I prefer PBW Pray & Gloss or CG Luber.

A word of advice about clay on our BO paint: Be very careful and use plenty of lube and the minimum pressure necessary. It will cause fine scratching in your finish. Yo may need a finishing polish afterward in my experience, so use the clay before you polish and not after. Rub the surface with your hand covered in plastic wrap before and after doing a section in order to feel the difference. You may not see much difference visually, but you will definitely feel it.

I recommend washing your car again after claying before a wax to make sure you've completely cleaned any residue that may be left after the clay.

 

Thanks man! I will jump on this next weekend. So, the rusty dots should be able to come off with the clay bar, correct? I just want to make sure it's not too late, and I hope not! Also, I should stay away from the clear bra correct? I know clear bra's can be waxed but not sure about clay barring them...

 

Just go pick up some Mothers yellow clay. Its comparable to Sonus green which is also a very light clay.

 

I just finished the detail and I used Dodo-Juice Born-Slippy Clay Bar Lube for the lube.