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DetailingGeneral discussion forum for detailing your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "Can Rust be Over the Paint?", within the Detailing forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
You should only have to clay once unless you have
something like overspray.--Buzz
I completely disagree. You should clay anytime you get embedded contaminants, such as brake dust particles or IFO if you live near a factory or airport. Also, clay is a great tool for removing tree sap, tar, bugs and many other contaminants that regular washing will not remove. It is always a good idea to at least wax or use a sealant after the claying process, as it is believed that clay MAY remove your protection.
I completely disagree. You should clay anytime you get embedded contaminants, such as brake dust particles or IFO if you live near a factory or airport. Also, clay is a great tool for removing tree sap, tar, bugs and many other contaminants that regular washing will not remove. It is always a good idea to at least wax or use a sealant after the claying process, as it is believed that clay MAY remove your protection.
Ok --I agree--You should only have to clay once unless you have overspray, tree sap and so forth, BUT if you keep a good coat of wax and wash often, most of this stuff will just slide off. I used the clay bar and Zainoed my 01 and have not felt like I had to do it again but my vehicles are garage kept, washed often and waxed on a regular basis. I guess there will be a time when I will have to do it again but mine look fine after almost 5 years. I also use the detail spray after each wash. ---Buzz
Maybe I just read your message wrong or out of context, it just sounded like you were saying "clay once and you're through with it." I agree that with proper maintenance you can keep the finish looking (and feeling) good, but even with Zaino I have had tree sap get on the finish and it doesn't "slide right off." I have done some "customer" vehicles that sat outside during spring and the tree sap is like sandpaper. You might can get it off with a detail spray if you do it right away, but if it sits on the surface for any amount of time clay is the most effective way I have found to remove it. A lot of IFO comes from people having to park outside (especially near airports, railways, etc), a problem which you say you don't have to contend with very much. Just my personal opinion, but I think clay is a staple in your detailing arsenal (and by DETAILING, I don't just mean washing and waxing). Sorry if I offended.
P.S. I would highly suggest performing the "plastic bag" test on your finish to see if you have any contaminants that you can't see, but are really present. In case anyone is wondering what the "plastic bag" test is: Put your hand in a Ziploc style baggie and feel the finish on your vehicle. If the baggie grabs or catches or you feel rough spots - time to clay (or decontamination wash).
Maybe I just read your message wrong or out of context, it just sounded like you were saying "clay once and you're through with it." I agree that with proper maintenance you can keep the finish looking (and feeling) good, but even with Zaino I have had tree sap get on the finish and it doesn't "slide right off." I have done some "customer" vehicles that sat outside during spring and the tree sap is like sandpaper. You might can get it off with a detail spray if you do it right away, but if it sits on the surface for any amount of time clay is the most effective way I have found to remove it. A lot of IFO comes from people having to park outside (especially near airports, railways, etc), a problem which you say you don't have to contend with very much. Just my personal opinion, but I think clay is a staple in your detailing arsenal (and by DETAILING, I don't just mean washing and waxing). Sorry if I offended.
P.S. I would highly suggest performing the "plastic bag" test on your finish to see if you have any contaminants that you can't see, but are really present. In case anyone is wondering what the "plastic bag" test is: Put your hand in a Ziploc style baggie and feel the finish on your vehicle. If the baggie grabs or catches or you feel rough spots - time to clay (or decontamination wash).
Didnt offend me, my old skin is tough as a motorcycle boot. Didnt mean for my post to sound like it did. Havent heard about the plastic bag thing ----Ill try it. I probably worry about "FIDO" (keeping him clean) more than a lot of people. My buddy drove by the other day and thought something was wrong because Fido was outside. (we were having a garage sale). Call him "Fido: because it GROWLS at me from 48 to 52 MPH ---Buzz
The ziplock idea is nice, but to get a better 'feel' for the contaminants, try this...
If you are a smoker or know someone who is, use the cellophane cigarette pack wrapper just as you'd use the ziplock bag. It's much thinner and can pick up smaller fragments.
Didnt offend me, my old skin is tough as a motorcycle boot. Didnt mean for my post to sound like it did. Havent heard about the plastic bag thing ----Ill try it. I probably worry about "FIDO" (keeping him clean) more than a lot of people. My buddy drove by the other day and thought something was wrong because Fido was outside. (we were having a garage sale). Call him "Fido: because it GROWLS at me from 48 to 52 MPH ---Buzz
That's good to know. Sometimes these internet forums get a little heated and I didn't intend for it to get that way.
Maybe I just read your message wrong or out of context, it just sounded like you were saying "clay once and you're through with it." I agree that with proper maintenance you can keep the finish looking (and feeling) good, but even with Zaino I have had tree sap get on the finish and it doesn't "slide right off." I have done some "customer" vehicles that sat outside during spring and the tree sap is like sandpaper. You might can get it off with a detail spray if you do it right away, but if it sits on the surface for any amount of time clay is the most effective way I have found to remove it. A lot of IFO comes from people having to park outside (especially near airports, railways, etc), a problem which you say you don't have to contend with very much. Just my personal opinion, but I think clay is a staple in your detailing arsenal (and by DETAILING, I don't just mean washing and waxing). Sorry if I offended.
P.S. I would highly suggest performing the "plastic bag" test on your finish to see if you have any contaminants that you can't see, but are really present. In case anyone is wondering what the "plastic bag" test is: Put your hand in a Ziploc style baggie and feel the finish on your vehicle. If the baggie grabs or catches or you feel rough spots - time to clay (or decontamination wash).
Well, I spent about 6 hours today claying and waxing my wife's van. A TON of rust came off! (The detail spray turned gold on some areas when rubbing the clay around.)
I'd say I got about 95% of the rust came off the paint and it feels REAL smooth, now! Some spots just wouldn't give up all the rust so I'll redo it at the end of the summer. (I heard you don't want to clay more than twice a year.)
What's "decontamination wash?"
What does everyone put on the black mirrors and trip to keep them looking black? Mine are getting faded from the sun. (Along with the door-protector trim on the side.) Is Armour All good for that?
Well, I spent about 6 hours today claying and waxing my wife's van. A TON of rust came off! (The detail spray turned gold on some areas when rubbing the clay around.)
I'd say I got about 95% of the rust came off the paint and it feels REAL smooth, now! Some spots just wouldn't give up all the rust so I'll redo it at the end of the summer. (I heard you don't want to clay more than twice a year.)
Good to hear man!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by EngineerBoo
What's "decontamination wash?"
A decon wash is a several step process that will remove IFO and such from the paint. It does what clay does, just in a different manner. Some people claim it's the only way to completely remove contaminants from your vehicles paint. It is usually a more involved process and will cost a good deal more. i posted a link in this thread for a decon wash system made by FK1 (one of the Meguiar's brothers).
Quote:
Originally Posted by EngineerBoo
What does everyone put on the black mirrors and trip to keep them looking black? Mine are getting faded from the sun. (Along with the door-protector trim on the side.) Is Armour All good for that?
Armor All might work, but I would suggest something more along the lines of Stoner Trim Shine or 303 Aerospace Protectant. Some poeple have used Klasse AIO to restore the look and protect.
Just for what it's worth. I HAVE to park my truck out exposed to weather/tree sap/bird poop so I actually clay more than twice a year. I don't do it each wash but it probably gets it every 6-7 wash's...I check it though, when I'm washing and after it's well washed and soaped, if it feels at all rough, then it's time to break out the clay. And of course, after I clay, I go ahead and NXT it.
Anyway, glad to hear that you got so much 'stuff' off the van. If there's still stuff left, I'd go ahead and clay it again next time you wash.
---Buzz
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