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Roughly Textured Car Paint

Here is what causes it and how we fix it at the shop everyday.

Q: No matter how much I wash my car, the paint feels rough and doesn’t look as shiny as when it was new. So I ask you, why does my car paint feel so rough?

When most people wash their vehicles, they expect the finish to be as smooth as glass. However, even after a thorough wash, many car owners can still feel a rough or sandy finish. This isn’t the result of poor washing and can happen to any car, no matter how well it is looked after. There are two major reasons for this: the first is tiny micro-particles of dirt and metal that can adhere themselves to the clear coat of your vehicle. The second is known as Industrial Fallout, and is the result of years of particulate matter from burnt fossil fuels landing on your vehicle (which are not water soluble and never wash away). If you are unsure about whether your car’s finish is being affected by these particles, try putting a plastic shopping bag over your hand and gently move your hand over the surface of the paint. The bag will make your hand more sensitive to the particles that may be lurking. These types of surface imperfections can’t be removed with a conventional wash, but there is something you can do.

How to remove surface contamination

When it comes time to fix the surface contamination of your car, there are several products to choose from; three options are the clay pad, clay block, and dual action clay attachment. It is important to select the product that is right for you, but the basic mechanics of using each product are identical. This is something we do in the shop, and it is also something you can do at home (it just takes longer without the fancy equipment).

  1. Wash and dry your car. You want to get rid of as much dirt as possible before beginning the clay process. This will save you time, and result in a better finish.
  2. Ensure that the surface of your car is properly lubricated before you begin claying.
  3. Rub the clay bar on the surface of the car. The clay will pick up the particles that are disturbing the finish of your car.
  4. Keep the surface lubricated while you clay. If the clay product starts to chatter over across the car, it means you need to apply more lubricant.
  5. Use your hand to feel when you are done with an area. The surface should feel perfectly smooth; keep claying until the surface is smooth to the touch.

There are chemical products that can be used to remove surface contaminants as well, but claying is the established industry standard and is capable for the vast majority of situations.

If your vehicle just doesn’t get as clean as it used to, now is the time for some surface treatment. You can give us a shout to make an appointment and you can check out the details of this service right here.

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