Rubbing Compound or Clay Bar?

[evil jose]

I washed my mom's Taurus SHO because it was getting unbearable to look at anymore (she doesn't have covered parking and probably hasn't washed the car in two months) and I noticed the finish is starting to get real bad. The surface feels real rough and you can see little flecks of stuff that are yellow and black. It rubs off after some elbow grease with my wash mit (sp?) but stil feels rough and doesn't look that great.

What would you guys suggest I do to get the finish looking (and feeling) better? Rubbing Compound or Clay Bar? What are the advantages and disadvantages (if any) of either?

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- Jose
Co-Founder DFW Stangs
http://64.81.114.233/hosting/jose/jose2banner.jpg
http://www.dfwstangs.net

"Is it because I'm Mexican?????"

[joe50]

The clay bars work ok on lighter color cars. They don't work as well on dark colored cars because they have an abrasive in them and can sometimes leave spider webs (real fine scratches). If you want the best finish possible, use a medium 3M compound followed by machine glaze and finished with hand glaze. To really make it shine and look wet, use a final coat of Meguiar's polish. I do it for my stang and it looks like I just sprayed the red paint on it. It also works for our toughest customers at the shop. People who drive 100,000 dollar Mercedes want a good finish.

[Tang350]

I agree with Joe. That's the way a pro brings back a sub par paint finish.

However, if your mom parks it outside and she's not looking for a show finish, you can probably use the bar.

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http://www.cadenzadesign.com/images/tang350.jpg
Tang 350
66 GT350 Replica (drives like it's pissed off)
97 3.8L Convertible
'89 Silver Anniversary 5.0LX
all are Zainoed weekly

[evil jose]

OK, it's a white car so maybe the clay bar will be the way to go. But you guys wouldn't recommend it on my black car?

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- Jose
Co-Founder DFW Stangs
http://64.81.114.233/hosting/jose/jose2banner.jpg
http://www.dfwstangs.net

"Is it because I'm Mexican?????"

[joe50]

Hell no.