Clay Bar on Black

[GT Pony]

Anyone here do a clay bar treatment to their black Mustang? I bought black and wanted to try and smooth out the paint some because black shows every thing. I think the paint is pretty decent looking for a factory paint job, but all the 2015s I've looked at (regardless of color) seem to be a little less smooth on the vertical surfaces of the fenders and doors than on the flat surfaces like the hood, roof and trunk lid.

I've never used a clay bar before, but hear it's super easy. Shouldn't be an issue.

Also, I'm assuming black is also clear coated ... so I'm wondering how how thick the clear coat is on the new Mustangs. I don't think clay bar takes much off anyway, but wouldn't want to burn through the clear coat down the road if I had to buff out a scratch, etc.

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[bstreet5.0]

Clay bar doesn't remove clear coat unless you're using it wrong. It also won't smooth the paint. It just pulls contaminants out of the clear coat. To smooth your clear coat you have to polish it with a machine.

 

[GT Pony]

Clay bar doesn't remove clear coat unless you're using it wrong. It also won't smooth the paint. It just pulls contaminants out of the clear coat. To smooth your clear coat you have to polish it with a machine.

I'm not too familiar with clay bar, so wasn't' sure ... but though I've read where it could smooth out the paint slightly. I'd like to find a way to do it by hand, as I get nervous of power buffers are used on a car. Heard too many horror stories about trim, etc getting burned up by a power buffer.

 

[bstreet5.0]

I'm not too familiar with clay bar, so wasn't' sure ... but though I've read where it could smooth out the paint slightly. I'd like to find a way to do it by hand, as I get nervous of power buffers are used on a car. Heard too many horror stories about trim, etc getting burned up by a power buffer.

Yes you can sometimes get yourself in trouble with the power buffers/polishers. If you get a random orbit polisher though it's pretty hard to screw it up. Then it's just more about the pad and the polish that you use, meaning how much cutting power it has. It's not as scary as it sounds though. Just have to do a bit of research on different products you can use.

The clay bar will make the surface feel smoother because it removes things that are stuck in your clear coat that you can't really see. It won't however smooth out the paint/clear coat if you say have an orange peel effect or a small scratch or swirl. That would require polishing.

 

[lint28]

I clay barred mine. No issues and it turned out great! Its really easy to do (I've done it many times). Check out some "how to" videos on YouTube. You'll do fine!

 

[slythetove]

Anyone here do a clay bar treatment to their black Mustang? I bought black and wanted to try and smooth out the paint some because black shows every thing. I think the paint is pretty decent looking for a factory paint job, but all the 2015s I've looked at (regardless of color) seem to be a little less smooth on the vertical surfaces of the fenders and doors than on the flat surfaces like the hood, roof and trunk lid.

I've never used a clay bar before, but hear it's super easy. Shouldn't be an issue.

Also, I'm assuming black is also clear coated ... so I'm wondering how how thick the clear coat is on the new Mustangs. I don't think clay bar takes much off anyway, but wouldn't want to burn through the clear coat down the road if I had to buff out a scratch, etc.

My full detail thread for my black 2015 GT. Yes, I clay bar all of my full details.

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19194

Don't worry, read the directions, use plenty of lubricant, and if you drop the clay throw it away!

 

[dangilbert33]

Great Job! Thanks for the write up and detail on your process. The car looks amazing. I also just picked up the '15 GT PP in Black and plan to spend hours detailing and staring at her...lol. Your detailed write up will help with the process.


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[davekro]

I was a noob to clay barring too. I just did it to my DIB convertible after getting it home last Thursday. I asked dealer NOT to wash (ie rub in the rail dust ;)).

It is pretty easy and straight forward. On mine the hood and trunk were much contaminated than the vertical sides (doors, fenders). I used a Mother's clay bar kit from Amazon. It came w/ two 80mg clay bars and a spray bottle of Showtime instant detailer (use a lubricant).

Pretty interesting when after washing, you run your finger over the brand new paint and it feels kind of ruff. then you put a plastic baggie (or any plastic shopping bag or whatever) over your hand and run your hand again over the surface. WOW. then you really feel the bumpiness of the surface contaminants! After clay bar.... slick and smoooooth. Definitely do your windows too. They have the same 'roughness' to get rid of.

Check out youtube for clay barring. Chemical guys has an Excellent 13 min video on it!

 

[EngineerDave]

I am going to add that the clearcoat on the 2015's is incredibly thin, but extremely hard.

 

[njarmstrong]

I am going to add that the clearcoat on the 2015's is incredibly thin, but extremely hard.

Nearly all factory clear coats are incredibly thin, about the thickness of one or two post it notes. This isn't exclusive to the Mustang or Ford.

 

[EngineerDave]

Nearly all factory clear coats are incredibly thin, about the thickness of one or two post it notes. This isn't exclusive to the Mustang or Ford.

Oh I'm not knocking it. was just pointing it out. The 2015's is apparently thinner/harder than at least the early previous generation. It's definitely something to consider when you bring out the buffer, unless you are going to apply something like an opticoat (which I am.)

 

[GT Pony]

It's been a long time since I've owned a black vehicle. Can somebody who's in the know on how to make a black paint look good give some advice on what products are best these days?

I'm currently trying to polish out all the water spots that were on the car from sitting outside at the dealership for a few months and probably also washed in a terrible manner by the dealership. I'm finding some scratches in the paint too that I need to rub out. I've been using Meguiar's "Scratch X" on most of them and having good results.

 

[JCMoya]

It's been a long time since I've owned a black vehicle. Can somebody who's in the know on how to make a black paint look good give some advice on what products are best these days?

I'm currently trying to polish out all the water spots that were on the car from sitting outside at the dealership for a few months and probably also washed in a terrible manner by the dealership. I'm finding some scratches in the paint too that I need to rub out. I've been using Meguiar's "Scratch X" on most of them and having good results.

I use:

* Meguiar's M205 for Paint correction
* Blackfire Wet Diamond for Paint protection
* Ultima Waterless Wash Plus as a Quick detailer, clay lubricant, and drying aid

 

[GT Pony]

Thanks JCMoya - is there anything on the market that will take off water spots with just a wash job? I doubt it, but you never know these days. I'm thinking just a bunch of hand polishing with Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish is the only way to really get them off, or maybe clay bar would do it too.

 

[JCMoya]

Thanks JCMoya - is there anything on the market that will take off water spots with just a wash job? I doubt it, but you never know these days. I'm thinking just a bunch of hand polishing with Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish is the only way to really get them off, or maybe clay bar would do it too.

M205 works for me but here are some recommendations from another forum. I did not know about the use of vinegar to remove water spots. hummmmmmmm

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29134-how-remove-water-spots-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/52347-using-vinegar-remove-water-spots.html

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