Magic mystery compound...

[Duff 206]

Not exactly a mystery for the ages, but I've got a couple of questions for the body pros here.

Since I don't have a spray booth I usually spray outdoors on dry, warm and wind free (well, to the extent that ever happens around here!) days. Although I try to be mindful of the drift of the spray mist, at some point I must have gotten some on my truck. I couldn't see it in the paint, but when I went to wax it it felt like super fine sandpaper on the surface, and it was stuck on pretty good. Annoyed, I went to a buddy who's a body man and asked for advice. He handed me block of green stuff that looks like hard silly putty or Playdough and told me to rub the surface with it firmly but no to get crazy with it. He also said to be sure to use a wetting agent - anything water based that wasn't too harsh. I asked him what the green stuff is but he would only roll his eyes, start whistling and then change the subject, like it's some great secret among body men....

Anyway, today I washed my truck and while it was still wet I went to work on the hood with this green block of stuff. To my amazement the surface quickly became smooth as glass and a black residue (I had been painting black parts for 312-8 #s 2 and 3) developed on the surface of the green block of stuff.

So what is this magic mystery compound, and is there a good way to clean the residue off of it or should I just slice off the dirty part to expose fresh material?

Edu-ma-cate me, fellas, please!

Duff :thumbs:

[Jim_M 179]

It's called a clay bar and it's pretty much just what it sounds like.

You can just sort of stretch it and fold it over to expose a fresh surface. When it's completely dirty throw it away.

[chamjack 0]

Its auto body clay. Most auto shops carry it and it is manufactured by different brands (Mothers, Meguiars, etc) They also sale detailing spray that is used as a lubricant for the clay. You mist an area of the panel with the lubricant, rub the panel with the clay, and it removes all the junk on the paint. Its very labor intensive to do a whole car, but it sure will be slick to take the wax if you do. Here's a link to the Meguiars clay bar FAQ's and info:

Meguiars Clay Bar

[Suburban 550 28]

Duff, the stuff we use at work is called "Clay Majic". Works very well for removing overspray off painted surfaces. After doing a whole vehicle with it should teach ya a good lesson where to paint your tractors. Sometimes no matter how careful you are it still happens.

[Duff 206]

Thanks guys! GREAT info!

Duff :notworthy:

[linen beige 15]

This reminds me of when my brothers airplane got silver fence paint overspray on it several years ago. The fence painting contractor responsible for hiring inept "painters" paid to have the plane shaved. They found a company that actually used a safety razor to shave the overspray off the surface and buff it. They did this on a couple dozen airplanes. :thumbs:

[Coadster32 793]

I thought I read an article about a car wash place doing a clay treatment on cars. I would assume this is the stuff. :notworthy: