Does this mean the clay is bad? i havent even done the entire car yet really...I did half of the car before, and it sat for like 5 months..now I sued it again, looked in the sunlight, and it had more swirlies than the other surface. So I got out my 3m SRM and cleaned that up a bit, and put on another layed of Z5..Ill have to check it out in the light otmorrow, but with a flashlight it seemed alot better.

Does this mean my clay is dead, and I need a new one? It seems to be getting a bit dirty

 

It may be time for a new bar, it left swirls? I thought the mothers clay said not to rub it in using circler motion.

 

You should always clay in the direction of bumper to bumper and up and down on the sides, this is true for applying polish/wax as well, that way if you pickup dirt you will not put swirls in your cars finish, the swirls are harder to remove than a straight line scratch

 

The clay should not leave any swirls or scratches, but it can if the clay is too dirty or there was some residual dirt left on the surface of the car or even if too much pressure was used. Also, never use the clay if you drop it or store it around a dirty area. You really want to keep the clay as "sterile" as possible so that it doesn't collect debris or other dirt/grime. Keep the clay clean by kneading and folding it to a cleaner side after claying a panel. I also like to dunk and soak my clay in my lube solution to dislodge any loose particulates it may have collected.

I've done 2 full clayings on my new car already and no sign of swirls or scratches. I must say that I love the results that claying gives to the finish! In fact, I need to order more Z18 clay, because I let a neighbor borrow one of my bars and he ended up dropping it on the ground!

 

Been there, done that, I NEVER loan my clay out anymore.

 

Im stupid. I didnt think about the fact that swirlies have to be made by circular motion..DUH, I knew that.
Yea I did the clay like im supposed to, in a straight line. I dont know why it appeared to have more swirlies...who knows...maybe it was a ghost.

 

Had you maybe compounded the car at some point, and the Claybar removed what was left of the compound? Just a guess.

Try the 3M Swirl Mark Remover and Z5. Z5 works great for me, and I'm hunting for the 3M SMR.

 

I dropped my clay bar, and right in the trash it went. Its a good thing that it was the mothers clay and it was only 12.99 worth of regret, because i bearly got started on the car. I really need to pick up another one, but i cant find it for 12.99 anymore.