First timer over here! I have read this section, but never posted in the detail section before, just have to saysome really nice effort put into these cars! So... I have a 93' GT that is single stage and I have some water spots that are baked into the finish. I have used TW Liquid Ice Clay before and it did an okay job when the car did not have this noticeable of spots. Base color would come off on the applicator in a normal amount and you could see the "dead paint" coming off when you really pressed harder on the oxidized areas when using this product.

Unfortunately the hard water spots didn't really come out when i tried the last time I was cleaning it with the "liquid clay". I washed it last week, haven't taken it out of the garage and I want to get the water spots off before I wash it and polish it for a show tomorrow. So after reading here I am thinking I will get a normal clay bar.

Any tips for use (would be the first time I use non liquid), but more importantly is it safe for a one stage/single stage paint? Thanks in advance for your help.

Also, last time I really polished it I used the TW ice paste/polish was which did a pretty good job in my novice hands as I put on two layers and about 20 hours of rubbing. I liked it b/c of no residue. Is there anything else I could to to get some more gloss aside from some quick detail spray (which I haven't used on this car)? Even the two layers if paste seemed a little greasy on there when I put my car cover on an off I had to polish off some of the drag marks on there. Thanks again!

 

you should try a real clay bar. the ice liquid clay is more of a synthetic polish without any corrective ability. i'd get a clay kit from auto zone or some place like that if i was you.

then move onto a real, abrasive polish. you'll need to use a finishing polish such as obsessive detail light polish, mez FP or 3m's ultra fina, by hand. this should get out most of the waterspots depending on how bad they are. make sure you work the polishes until they're clear, then remove with a micro fiber.

after that top with your wax of choice.

remember, don't add layers of polish - work them until broken down.

 

^+1 Gotta use real clay.

 

I mentioned I am making the switch there to a clay bar. My main question was working on it with a single stage. Most people nowadays have never worked with or don't even know that other paint systemsbesides base/clear existed.

Anyone else use on single stage?

 

yes, you can safely use clay on a single stage. use it as you would on a clear