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[ Home > How To Create a Smooth Paint Surface ] 
How To Create a Smooth Paint Surface
  Remove paint
contamination
and create a smooth paint surface.
What is paint contamination?
Paint contamination consists of tiny metal shavings from
rail dust, brake dust and industrial fallout. This contamination affects all
paint finishes and can cause serious damage when left untreated. Paint
contamination can be felt as a "rough or gritty" texture on the
paint's surface and can lead to tiny rust spots. This
contamination can not be removed by washing, waxing and/or polishing.
Stage 1:
Metal shavings land on the paint's surface. |
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| Stage 2:
Shavings start to oxidize.
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| Stage 3:
Rust forms in the paint.
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| Actual photo of rust
spots from paint contamination. |
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Where
does it come from?
There are three major causes of paint contamination:
1. Rail dust - produced from the friction of train wheels against
railroad tracks. Over 70% of new vehicles are shipped by rail. Rail
dust can contaminate a new car's finish before it even reaches the
dealership. Anytime a vehicle is parked or travels near a railroad
it is subject to rail dust contamination.
2. Brake dust - particles produced from the friction of brake pads
rubbing against the rotor. This metal on metal friction disperses tiny
particles of bare metal into the air and on the highway where it
collects on passing vehicles.
3. Industrial fallout - another word for pollution, industrial fallout
is a byproduct of our modern industrial age. |
Testing for paint contamination:
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After washing and drying your vehicle, put your hand inside a plastic
sandwich bag and lightly run your fingertips over the paint's surface.
It should be as smooth as glass. If your car's surface has a
rough, gritty or pebble-like texture, it indicates the presence of paint
contamination. This should be removed with a clay bar before applying a
polish or wax. |
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Removing Paint
Contamination:
There is no wax, natural or synthetic, or any
chemical treatment that can prevent or protect against this
contamination. Compounding with an abrasive polish may remove paint
contamination but it can only be performed a few times before removing
too much of the top, clear coat finish.
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The best solution, a special clay bar, was
developed in Japan nearly five years ago. This clay safely removes rail
dust and industrial fallout by "pulling" it off the surface.
It does not "cut" or perform any abrasive action normally
associated with polishing or compounding.
The latest evolution in clay technology is BLACKFIRE
PolyClay. These clay-like bars are made in the U.S.A. of
entirely man made polymers. These bars perform all the functions of
traditional clay bars but have a number of advantages:
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1. Poly Clay does
not dry out with age.
2. Poly Clay does not decompose with repeated applications.
3. A single non-abrasive grade works on all paint conditions yet is
still clear coat safe.
4. Poly Clay is easier to work with. It pulls, stretches and refolds
easier that normal clay.
5. Poly Clay leaves almost no residue on the surface making clean-up
much easier.
How to use clay bars:
Clay bars should always be used on freshly
washed, clean surfaces. Dirt on the surface could cause scratches. |
Always use a
lubricant such as BLACKFIRE
Clay Lubricant with the clay bar.
Work on areas about three square feet. Lightly
mist the surface with the lubricant. Place the clay bar in the palm of
your hand and rub it across the lubricated area using moderate pressure.
(Hard rubbing is not required) You should feel a slight grabbing at
first. As you rub, the bar should glide smoothly over the surface. When
the bar moves freely you are done. Wipe the surface with a clean dry
towel and continue in sections until the entire vehicle is complete. |
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Mist surface with
lubricant,
rub clay across surface.
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Wipe off any
residues
with a soft towel.
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As the bar becomes soiled, simply pull, stretch and
refold to expose a new, clean side. When the bar becomes totally soiled
(dark colored) discard it. I like to cut the 8 oz bar in half. A 4 oz. bar should clean at least
7 to 10cars. Do not use a bar dropped on the ground. |
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After claying, the surface should be as smooth
as glass. Remove any remaining smudges with a clean dry towel.
Microfiber towels like our Multi-Task
Detailing Cloths are perfect for removing clay
residues. Mist the surface with the lubricant if necessary to make the
final wipe down easy.
Tech Note: Clay bars will
not remove scratches, swirls, dull, oxidized paint or restore surface
gloss. This is accomplished by polishing the surface after claying.
Polishing alone will not remove paint contamination.
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| Polishing
and Finishing:
After claying the
surface, you have two options. If the vehicle's paint is in like-new
condition (good paint gloss and no swirls), you can finish by applying
your favorite wax or paint sealant. If the finish shows any swirls or
lacks luster, polish with a swirl remover or finishing polish and then
apply a final coat of wax or paint sealant.
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Frequency of use:
Poly Clay will not remove paint or the clear
coat finish. It can be used as often as necessary to keep the surface
free of contamination and smooth.
Always apply a protective coat of wax or paint
sealant after claying the surface. |
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