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What to do if the paint feels rough after a wash
Roughness is usually caused by tiny particles that have bonded to the paint so firmly that a normal wash does not remove them. They are removed with a clay treatment, and the paint is then protected. Do not try to rub them off dry, because that causes scratches.
What is on the surface
- Iron fallout. Brakes and rail traffic shed tiny iron particles that stick to the paint and start to rust. On a light-coloured car they show up as small brown dots.
- Brake dust. Most of it builds up on the wheels and the lower part of the car.
- Tree sap. A car parked under trees collects drops of sap, which harden into small bumps on the surface.
- Tar and asphalt splashes. These stick mainly to the sills and behind the wheels.
The roughness is usually easiest to feel on horizontal surfaces such as the bonnet, roof and boot lid, and on the lower part of the car.
How to feel the surface
Wash and dry the car first. Put your hand inside a thin plastic bag and run it lightly over the surface. The bag brings out even small bumps that you would miss with a bare hand. Do not do the test on a dirty surface, because you would be dragging sand across the paint.
Don't rub, don't scrape
Particles bonded to the surface do not come off when you rub them with a cloth; the movement drags them across the paint and leaves scratches behind. A fingernail or scraper is no good for removing hardened sap either. We can remove stubborn sap as extra work. We explain how to remove sap and insects in our article on insects and tree sap.
A clay treatment makes the surface smooth
In a clay treatment, the surface is worked with purpose-made clay and a lubricant. The clay grabs the particles bonded to the paint and pulls them off, but glides over a smooth surface. Afterwards the paint feels slick under your hand.
Claying also removes old wax, so the surface needs protecting straight afterwards. With us, a pre-wash and clay treatment are part of every waxing and coating. For example, the price of Hard wax (€129–149) includes a hand wash, clay treatment, washing and drying the door frames and washing the rubber mats, and the protection lasts 6–8 months.
If the surface is smooth but dull
Claying does not remove scratches or bring back faded gloss. If the surface feels smooth but looks hazy in sunlight, or you can see hairline scratches, that is a different issue. We cover it in our article on where scratches come from.
Rough paint made smooth and protected
Hard wax €129–149. The price includes a hand wash and clay treatment. When you book, you can see the price for your car.