Anyone know what's the worst that can happen to the paint if you apply too much pressure when claying? Is there much chance of screwing this process up if you do apply too much pressure?

 

If you apply too much pressure when claying, the worst you can do is waste a bunch of time. Clay is not "abrasive", it is "adhesive" to defects. If you are using a proper claying lubricant like a little soap and alot of water then you can't screw it up. Hell, you pretty much have a better chance of ruining your paint by rubbing it with toilet paper than clay, they are equally "abrasive." Trust me, I've got 10 years of detailing under my belt. Unless you put your claybar on a rotary buffer and set the speed on 3000 rpm, you can not damage your paint.

 

yeah... you basically turn the claybar into sandpaper.

 

Hey, just make sure you give your G another fresh coat of wax after the clay, a lot of the wax is removed from the clay-I knew someone who used the clay bar but forgot to wax the car afterwards and his paint started to fad in about an year, well again I live in Florida and everything here fads in a year!!!!

 

too much pressure with debris collected on the clay will scratch the clearcoat.......the clay is there to collect oxidation and other contaminants. If you apply to much pressure while claying in that same area for an extended period, you could put micro scratches on the paint surface.

 

I ask this question because i went to get my car clayed and waxed, and I noticed the guy going back and forth with the clay like you would when handwashing your car. No particular direction either. I don't think he knew how to use it (young guy). So I was just worried. Seriously folks, no matter how lazy you are, if you want the job done right just do it yourself. I've learned my lesson.

 

An easy way to tell if and how "long" you shud clay is to put a plastic sandwich bag over your hand and run your fingers lightly over the paint. You will feel the bonded contaminants more clearly with the bag on your hand. Then clay it (straight back and forth motion in the direction air flows over your car) for about 30-45 seconds over 1 foot square area. Then use the sandwoich bag again. It should feel smoother, and then u can determine whether to give that section another 30-45 seconds or to move on.

Try it! It works!! You'll be surprised how much "more" you feel with the bag over your hand.....