[Dragstr05]

I picked up a Mothers claybar kit about 2 weeks ago. I have had a lot of success with my Mothers 3 stage waxes versus some other brands I have tried, and I expected the claybar kit to be the same.

I followed the instructions on the box...washed the car to clean any loose dirt, and used the quick detailer provided in the kit as the "lubricant". I sprayed the detailer on the surface of the rear bumper where some contaminants were obviously embedded, applying the detailer liberally to keep the surface wet as the instructions suggested. I then took the clay bar and lightly went over the surface. Just as the instructions said, I could "hear" the claybar picking up the contaminants (or so I thought), and the finish gradually became smoother.

What I noticed was that it actually removed paint! There is a small section that is darker than the rest of the car, and when closely observed, it looks almost like it was freshly painted or something. I bought the car at the dealership where I work, and I frequently see a mobil paint van from a body shop come down to do touch ups on the bumpers of used cars before they are put on the lot.

Would the paint have been removed due to not having enough time to harden completely, or is there something I did wrong? There is not a single detailing guide I read that doesnt suggest the use of a claybar so obviously many people have success with it, but I have never even read warnings of this. Is it even possible for a claybar to remove the paint? I pressed hard enough only to hold up the claybar, I did not scrub! What did I do wrong?

[zincyellow03]

First of all, what color is your car? How old is it? Maybe with age or a defect from the factory, maybe it took off the clear coat? Is it possible if you can post some pics up? Good Luck.

Edit: Where is it at? I know that some convertables have a defect from the factory where the paint peels. Maybe that's why?

[wytstang]

You did nothing wrong mine did the same thing. I noticed it leaving pin size holes after clay baring an area (very well lubricated). My paint is almost 11 yrs old and the previous owner did not do well on the up keep at all (white car so the pin size whole where noticeable to me at least). I assumed it was just bad paint care from the previous owner, and the clay bar just revealed it so when I waxed it it just filled in the very small holes.

[Dragstr05]

Originally Posted by zincyellow03

First of all, what color is your car? How old is it? Maybe with age or a defect from the factory, maybe it took off the clear coat? Is it possible if you can post some pics up? Good Luck.

Edit: Where is it at? I know that some convertables have a defect from the factory where the paint peels. Maybe that's why?

Its a red 2000 GT coupe. I'm really not sure what it removed. The area where I used the clay bar left approx a 4x4 square that is darker and duller in color than the rest of the car on the rear bumper just behind the passenger side rear wheel.

It could be a defect, but I'm not sure. Like I said, it could be removing paint that MAY have been sprayed on the bumper by the dealer to touch it up before putting it on the lot, but I dont know. I'm scared to use it again, but I really want to get the black specks I can see in the paint.

[2k2fourpointsix]

I would say it was poor touch up job, don't be afraid of the clay. Its works too well to not use it.

[Dragstr05]

Originally Posted by 2k2fourpointsix

I would say it was poor touch up job, don't be afraid of the clay. Its works too well to not use it.

I know it works well, but at the same time I would rather a few particles in the paint instead of having more dull patches all over the bumper. I'll try it on my protege and see if I have better success.

[larrendeuce]

The dealerships bumper painters do a really cheap job. I used to detail for a dealership. The paint wasn't smooth and glossy. It was as if the entire bumper was overspray. They do a decent job on the color match, and from a quick glance it looks fine. If you run your hand over it and it feels like sandpaper its a touch up job. Usually the bumpers have flex agent in the paint, and it makes it soft and flexable. Think of it like a foam, its smooth on the surface but start doing any sort of heavy polishing and it ruins the finish. Usually clay is ok on bumpers though. Try a mild polish like the mothers cleaner on the dark area, it might be clay residue that is left on the finish. Good Luck

[Dragstr05]

Originally Posted by larrendeuce

The dealerships bumper painters do a really cheap job. I used to detail for a dealership. The paint wasn't smooth and glossy. It was as if the entire bumper was overspray. They do a decent job on the color match, and from a quick glance it looks fine. If you run your hand over it and it feels like sandpaper its a touch up job. Usually the bumpers have flex agent in the paint, and it makes it soft and flexable. Think of it like a foam, its smooth on the surface but start doing any sort of heavy polishing and it ruins the finish. Usually clay is ok on bumpers though. Try a mild polish like the mothers cleaner on the dark area, it might be clay residue that is left on the finish. Good Luck

Clay residue? Hmm..never thought of that as a possibility. I do have the mothers cleaner wax, so I'll give that a try. Thing is, if you look real close it looks like it took of a layer of paint. When I first applied the clay bar after a few slides over the surface, there was red paint on the clay. At first I thought it might have been overspray and the clay was just starting to glide so I thought it was just doing its job until I realized I had a dark patch in my bumper

I'll try that cleaner wax though. Thanks for the advice.

[zincyellow03]

Try taking it to the dealership and say that it's a defect because the paint's peeling...it's worth a try.