TeslaChicken

Hello all,

Fairly new to the S game with barely 5 months of ownership: bought the car before winter and I remember all paint surfaces on the car being very smooth when I waxed it.

After being driven through our lovely Virginia winters, the hood especially as well as a few others panels of the car feel rough during and even after polish and wax. I have no idea what's going on - should I clay bar it? Does anyone know what's going on? I do not notice any difference in the clear coat's shine/orange peel - it all looks the same to me since I bought it, just that it has a rough finish.

Any help would be appreciated,
Alex

redwing497

Alex, absolutely take a clay bar to it. It will feel like glass when you're done. I suggest a mild clay with some quick detailer to use a lubricant. Remember, though, the clay will strip the wax off so you must apply another coat once you're done with the claying process.

TeslaChicken

Well definitely try to clay it then - would you have any recommendations for a bar/lubricant at a store or something online like at ChemicalGuys?

2Kaputnik

Yes definitely clay or one of the new nano scrub mitts (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-aut...ine-grade.html) which are much faster to use. You should be able to use any good detail spray as a lubricant, or a good car wash soap diluted with water in a spray bottle. It should feel like glass as mentioned above. And speaking of glass, clay/mitt your windows too.

I've moved to the mitts because they work as good as clay imo and have many other advantages. I couldn't believe the depth of the metallic sparkle in my paint after using it.

JayJones

The clay bar is still good for tight areas, but I also recommend the mitt. It is much easier to use and will take less time. They even have buffing pads by nano skin so you can do it by machine. Make sure you wax the vehicle after you clay bar or your paint will not be protected.

S2KRAY

Use the Nano Scrub medium 6" pad on a good D/A polisher like a Porter. Takes less time than a mitt and make sure you use a lube before scrubbing. Clay bar tight or small areas.

myclue

Good stuff in this thread! going to try out the nanoscrub wash mitts!

jkelley

I always suggest using an iron cut product prior to claying (or nano scrubbing).

Matthis

ProTip in addition to all the above, always clay before you go polishing! If you dont, all the dirt that is still in the paint, will be moved around by the pad and the machine which actually causes scratches and swirls.

JayJones

Exactly what Matthis said.