Claying w/o marring/scratching

[efnfast]

Is it possible to clay an entire car without making any scratches/marring/marks in the clearcoat?



Doesn`t seem to matter my lube, technique, etc...., if I claybar I`ve got to polish it afterwards. :nixweiss

[Mark77]

What clay are you using?

[efnfast]

Meguiars. Same story on soft clears (G35) as well as hard (corvette)

[imported_RZJZA80]

you have to kneed the clay bar after each panel, I think that`s the key. Also, use plenty of lube, more is better

[Thats Fresh]

youd just give yourself more work by inducing more scratches. also the clay wouldnt properly work without lube.

[imported_Jakerooni]

youd just give yourself more work by inducing more scratches. also the clay wouldnt properly work without lube.



Ummm???? :think: This statement makes no sense to the questions being asked. I don`t get it.





And yea kneed the clay after each panel if you feel the grit when you kneed replace the clay. And the lube is your freind.. I usually go overboard with it.

[stiffdogg06]

I like Meg`s Last touch as a lube since it`s like $17 for a gallon and can be diluted down...I also use it as a drying aid.



I mainly use Clay Magic Blue clay or Clearkote Clay. Both have done me good.



So to answer your question yes, it`s very possible to clay an entire without marring it. Use a gentle clay, let the clay and lube do the work - no need to press down hard... Also like mentioned before, kneed the clay often.

[D.NGUYEN]

you have to kneed the clay bar after each panel, I think that`s the key. Also, use plenty of lube, more is better



That`s what she said?

[Accumulator]

I`ve clayed without marring countless times, using both Griot`s clay and the Sonus green Ultra-fine.



Note that you might need to knead/replace the clay a *LOT* more often than every panel. Once it picks up something abrasive it basically turns into sandpaper. I`ll sometimes knead the clay after *one* brief contact with the paint, as in...I clay off a speck of contamination and immediately fold the clay; I might fold/knead it dozens of times before I finish a single panel. It`s a different situation compared to claying a vehicle that you`re already planning to polish.

[02zx9r]

i have only used clay (megs smooth kit, but I do have a mothers bar and a TW bar that I have not used yet) a few times and have not marrd anything. I used straight clay lube in the little bottle until it was half gone and now use it 50:50 with water. I do tend to use quite a bit of spray too to avoid potential marring.



Like others said, you dont have to try and push the clay through the panel, just let it glide over it.

[efnfast]

Next time I`ll try kneeding it more (I do it once per panel). I`m not applying any pressure.

[Accumulator]

Next time I`ll try kneeding it more (I do it once per panel)..



Good plan. For starters, you might try kneading it as soon as it appears soiled (yeah, that`s probably overkill...).