There are a lot of factors going on here. Clay bars are a good way to remove imbedded particals from the surface and light imperfections that are in your wax or surface. The reason I say lots of factors is it depends on what you have done and what products you have used and if you used them correctly. You don’t want to end up like humfrz on a beach covered from head to toe in 150spf white sunblock with a straw hat on in a speedo;). Here is the proper process for a brand new car off the lot. Take it home handwash using good car wash not dawn or lava. Dry your car I recommend using absorber shammy like product because it dose not scratch towels will. Then wipe down with detailer and micro fiber cloth do not get ones made in China or Taiwan as the way they loop the threads causes scratches. Clay bar the car using a kit work in small sections at a time. Now you can use a paint sealer then final stage is waxing.

Ultra in your case you have to use a better car wash soap. Also if you don’t apply wax properly and the type of wax used will differ immensely. You are at the humfrz at the beach stage. So to fix it will require a lot of time and work if you do it yourself it will take some $$ if you pay someone. But what you have to do is the following.
Wash the car, using the micro mit mentioned above (this is what they are really for) and paint prep spray and some water scrub the whole car down, this will remove all those layers of wax and get you back to clear coat. Clay bar your car. Next is when you would use compound and machine to get swirls out, then you would use a machine and car polish. Then I would suggest a using a polywax product that seals your paint and provieds protection and wax all in one. Then wait a couple weeks then I would wash inspect the wax then I would use a really good carnuba wax product and just wax it once every couple months as needed. In between washes I would use a detailer and wipe down the car. Dust and dirt scratches your wax and over time your paint hence swirls don’t use drive through car washes use only hand wash ones.

I do this process 2x a year once before winter and once in spring and maintain the wax through out the year. The reason is I live in the desert and uv and dust will degrade the wax and protection. My dad lives back in Ohio he dose it once a year in spring time and maintaines with wax but he has to deal with snow and salt.

Hmmm... paint prep spray. I see two classes of active ingredients, CFC solvents like p-chlorobenzotrifluoride, and acetone. Of the two, I'm least opposed to using acetone. I have a couple super clean gallons of that so I may try a test strip this spring to see how the clear coat holds up.

Just thinking out loud. Acetone seems sketch.

Wow don’t go over thinking it though. Although I should be more specific. https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...e=&from=Search

Check out the link above. I have been using this stuff for years all of the products work really well and customer service is outstanding. Plus if you don’t like it send it back and get full refund. I stated using it when my auto supply place closed down. I was able to get professional stuff at good rate. Although different griots is out standing and a little goes a long way. Plus all of the products smell really good.

You may wish to try that on someone else's car ...... :eyebulge:


humfrz

That's mighty generous of you to volunteer yours. Thanks!

I was thinking that your neighbors car may be handier for you.....:D

Back in the day, I used to use acetone as a solvent to put unformulated experimental pesticides into solution to spray them.

Yep, I had a 30 gal can of it strapped in the back of my company pickup truck ..... later, I discovered the can was a leaker. Took the paint right off part of the bed of that truck.

Of course, that was before clear coats, so ....... your test strip MAY turn out to be different ....:confused0068:

humfrz

I have used acetone on my cars for years now. It does not react with the acrylic clear coat at all. In fact it comes in a plastic bottle. Now I don't puddle it on and walk away either since I still have some paranoia left.

That paint would still have been lacquer. Acetone will go through lacquer faster than shit through a goose.

OK, @Ultramaroon , here is the acetone challenge for you and Tcoat.

This evening, soak a sponge in acetone and place it on the hood of your car.

Tomorrow morning, report what you see ...... ;)


humfrz

Thanks. That makes sense. Still a little scary, but I won't go wiping down my neighbor's car.
@humfrz, I have tools in my garage. I don't wanna deal with any here. :slap:

Well, all I know, is that I'm not gonna put anything on my car's finish that will go faster that shit through a goose ......:eyebulge:

You may wish to try it on one of your chickens first ...... :iono:



humfrz

See above.

There is no lacquer involved in our car paint. It may peel your nail polish off though.

I knew that, that's the reason I always wear latex gloves when I'm handling acetone ...... so it won't take off my nail polish.

:D


humfrz

Hum's new look


http://enacademic.com/pictures/enwik...anson_2004.jpg

Close, ....... this is the look that I'm going for ...... :D


humfrz