Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

First attempt w/clay bar - Scary!!!

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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:23 AM
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Default First attempt w/clay bar - Scary!!!

I just did the spoiler on my TA last nite with the clay bar. Not that hard and the finish is smooth as silk, but now I see alot of swirls and scratches. Can I scratch my finish with this? I don't know if it was like that to start with and I didn't notice it, or maybe I didn't flip the bar enough. I used the Quick Detailer as a lubricant and I was very generous with that stuff. Thoughts.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:35 AM
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It sounds like you didn't turn the bar enough. I've used the claybar on my car several times and got great results. If you picked up some tree sap or other debris and ran it across the finish, that could do some damage.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:37 AM
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It could be from the clay or they might have been there and you didn't notice until you really started looking. If it was caused by the claybar, the marks would only be in the direction you were moving the bar.

Use very light pressure, lots of lube, and kneed the bar often.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by ZaneO
Use very light pressure, lots of lube, and kneed the bar often.
ooh yeah baby

It's prob fine scratches covered by previous products...that's why clay is awesome, strips everything down so you can correct problems the right way
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 12:07 PM
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I am guessing that the scratches were there before. Even though the car only has 20k mi, it is still 3 1/2 yrs old and I have had it less that a year. But I think I will try to be gentler with the clay. thanks guys.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 03:11 PM
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I would have to say that they scratches were probably there Before you used the clay bar. If the scratches are not in the same direction/pattern that you used the clay bar.....they were almost certainly there before.

They clay bar will take everything off (wax & stuff) that "covered up" those scratches and swirls optically.....that's what they're made to do. Just be careful buffing them out.....there's practically no clear coat (or paint for that matter) on our cars....it's easy to burn through.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 06:20 PM
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I just clayed mine this weekend and had the same happen. I used the 3-M swirl remover and then some nxt.......its the best I have seen on it so far.....
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