Lehm Clay

[Wayne]

Anybody have any experience of using Lehm Clay on your paintwork. I thought I'd give my car the full Zymol treatment this weekend, starting with Wash, Lehm Clay, HD Cleanse then wax. However, I've started the Lehm Clay bit but it's leaving some of the paintwork with a rather faded, orange peel effect. I've stopped using it and might just go straight to HD Cleanse ( which I've done many times before). I used the lube to go with the clay, so not sure quite what is, or I'm doing wrong - anybody any ideas? My car is metallic midnight blue. I'm sure I've done it the way it says on the tin.[8|]

 

[Andy B Aces High]

Used the Meguirs one on my car several times and it worked fine, you are using it with the spray on detailer to lubricate the surface ?

After use the paint work comes up lovely as it removes any tar and tree residue.

 

[day1zero]

Only used the Meguairs (probably wrong spelling) but they prob similar products never noticed orange peel issue only a slight dulling of paintwork and you can physically feel the smoothing of the paintwork as impurities are removed.

Ifyou happy with your normal cleaning routine and happy with the results - stick to it !!!!

 

[clyde]

Claying shouldn't do anything to the underlying paintwork, other than remove surface contaminants. It also removes surface polish, hence the "dull paintwork" but that's it. You do have to use a fair bit of lubricant to keep the clay gliding and stop it sticking though.

I can't think how claying could cause an orange peel effect. I wonder if a detailer can hide orange peel in the same way that they can hide scratches or at least make them less obvious? Perhaps you've lifted the build up in the dimples?

I would finish a panel off and apply the polish and wax that you were going to use and see how it looks, it maybe just looks worse than it is because of the lack of polish?

 

[Wayne]

Thanks for the replies, comments & advice. I have tried today to continue with the clay & lube, but got to be honest, on the 2-3 panels I've used it on I'm not really too pleased with the results. I do move the clay very lightly over the paint, I do hear the rubbing of the clay as it 'smoothes' the surface, but it does leave what I can only call a 'orange peel' effect. I have then used the cleansing lotion and wax and although the shine does 'mask' the effect if you look closely it is still there. So, I have just used the cleansing lotion over the rest of the car, and although it doesn't hide the scrathes and swirls it does bring up a very deep, dark, shiny blue of the original paint. As I'm using Zymol product I might write/mail them with my concerns and see what they come back with. Many thanks again.

 

[polar964]

Hi Wayne,

Matt Wakefield at 'Off Your Marks' is a professional detailer and authorised user of the Zymol range, based in Warrington (North West). He is a very helpful guy and knows his profession very well. I am sure he would be more than happy to give you some advise. www.offyourmarks.com

 

[Wayne]

Thanks Polar964 - I'll give him a shout to get his views.....

It is so annoying, every review I've read and even the replies on here suggest it's really good stuff, but I'm now nervous of using it on the rest of the car....

Thanks again.

 

[nfearn]

I've been using clay for about ten years and have not noticed this effect at all. I therefore tend to agree with the earlier poster who suggested that it might be removing a surface finish which was masking the orange peel. Would it be possible to post a photo of the orange peel effect so we can see what it looks like - that might help us to make more specific suggestions.

I certainly think it's true to say that paint that's been exposed to the elements can never be truly clean unless it's been thoroughly clayed.

regards
Nick

 

[polar964]

ORIGINAL: Wayne

Thanks Polar964 - I'll give him a shout to get his views.....

It is so annoying, every review I've read and even the replies on here suggest it's really good stuff, but I'm now nervous of using it on the rest of the car....

Thanks again.

Hi Wayne,
Don't despair. I'm sure Matt will be able to provide some sound advise/solution to your problem.
Out of interest, have the panels that you say are suffering from 'orange peel', been repaired/resprayed in the past? perhaps your detailing is exposing this move visably!

If you have a look at Matts website he gives a very detailed and informative explanation of the processes.

 

[Wayne]

Hi Polar 964, I've just mailed 'offyourmarks' with my question, mentioning the recommendation from you on PCGB. I've had the car for 10 years now and I've not had any respray or panel work, but not sure if it did in it's earlier days. I'll round this link off on the back of the response from Off your marks. Thanks Again...

 

[jdpef356]

Nick

Is your photo before or after? []

 

[Wayne]

Hi, thanks to everybody for the responses to my dilema. I must admit when I first posted the question I did feel rather uncertain to the response I might get, it seemed rather a light weight issue compared to some on this forum - but the invaluable information I've received since proves this to not be the case. In particular thanks to Polar 964 for his e mails, information and effort to guide me appropriately. I did follow up with Matt at 'Offyourmarks' who responded promptly and very precisley regarding the problem, with, what was suggested on this forum some excellent assistance - Thanks Matt. The upshot of all of this....my problem is not with my use of the clay but more to do with the underlying paint problems on my car. To get the 'mirror like' finish I'm looking for will first need what Matt calls ' Paint Correction' ......then we can move onto clay etc.... I would love to get my midnight blue to look like some of the photos I've seen of Matt's and members cars on this forum, trouble is, I'm in Bristol - Matt 'Upnorth' Many thanks again to all who responded....now to look into paint correction and whether I can have a few days up north to get Matt on the case

 

[tjnicko]

I had an identical problem with my Boxster - the more I clayed/polished the worse the orange peel got on the LHS wing.

I showed my local OPC and they said the wing had been badly re-sprayed at some time in its life, the issue was due to poor prep (silicon residue) by the body shop.

My OPC managed to improve it by about 95% by wet sanding and charged £80 and got a few nasty scratches out at the same time.

 

[polar964]

Hi Wayne,
I can tell by the tone of your post that you are in better spirits. I'm pleased that you are happy with the positive response you've received from Matt. One thing i have learnt is that it pays to travel in order to receive the level and standard of service you are looking for, if it can't be found locally.
I had paint correction done by Matt on my 964 not long after i bought it. Matt has 3 pics on his web site under gallery. It's the only 964 on there, so you won't miss it. I'm sure if you decide to make the journey you won't be disappointed
If you do, don't forget to post up the pics!

 

[Wayne]

Polar964, saw your car on Matt's site, looks very impressive and is indeed an inspiration for me to make the journey. For reasons I can't explain, but after 11 years of ownership on my 993 Cab, this year has sparked a whole new interest and passion for the car which is prompting me to get the car 'spot on'. Fortunately it is my second car, not my daily drive so I can be flexible in it's availability for work to be done.
On another note, me and my lady are taking it on a trip to the South of France at the end of April, so assuming all goes well when we get back I can look to getting the paintwork done. Many thanks again...