I took ownership of my Z about 3 weeks ago, and I have washed and waxed it every weekend since. I have always noticed how the paint was a little rough feeling, and that the wax wasn't fixing the situation much (Meguiar's Gold Class, decent stuff).

Well, today I inspected the paint in bright light, and noticed tiny little black dots all over the entire body. I figure it could be overspray (on a new car???) or maybe it was from a parking lot that was being re-tarred over the weekend.

Soap (Meguiars Crystal or even Dawn) will not take this stuff off. That being said, I can take my fingernail, and actually scraped the black material off (after much deliberation).

So, I looked through the forum, and it appears to me that a claybar is the answer, but I would like to hear from the pro's here on my350z.com.

My friend who does a lot of his own labor intensive detailing said I should just probaly bring it up to a detailer and have them do a compound buff and wax.

Thoughts?

 

I'll vote for claybar as well.

It's probably road tar...

Just keep the claybar lubed with a diluted mixture of car wash soap and water, and run the clay back and forth across the surface applying light pressure. All those specks should come up. Knead the claybar often to expose a fresh surface, and don't drop it or else you need to throw it away.

 

thanks for the info

 

If it's road tar,sap droplets,etc...I'd us a product called Wipe Away which will take it off easily. Less work than a clay bar.

If it's rail dust, which is tiny metal particles embedded in the clearcoat, then clay-bar works wonders.

edit:
I'd use wipe away first to get as much of those spots as you can...then if you've never clayed your car I'd go ahead and use it to. You'd be surprised at how smooth the car will feel afterwards.

 

I'd do both. claybar last of course.

 

Many of the wax selections made by members have fantastic shine qualities, but mediocre cleaning ability. I drive a Pikes Peak White Z, and "clean" is a primary concern. Before you get crazy with compound, buffers and clay bars, try Prestone Wax.

 

I was apprehensive initially about using claybar but I am convinced (now that I 've done it to prep for Zaino applications) that it is key to producing the glasslike smoothness that results. What is important when you claybar is to keep the suface wet and lubricated with misting of some diluted Dawn or other shampoo as you work in sections.

 

Thanks guys, I bought Mothers Claybar today, and it worked like a dream. No more little black dot's.

...and what was even cooler is that my wife did most of it for me! I started the claybar, then she took over after I showed her how to use it. This allowed me to wax (and rewax) the areas that she had finished

its looks and feels absolutely incredible, I will take pictures tomorrow and post them

thanks for all of your help