Removing dirt/grime/film after claying?

[jlinder]

I decided to try a test spot on our black LX470 today while I had my supplies out. We're the second owners. The vehicle was religiously maintained by the deal but I'm guessing that's the only time it was washed. The paint is pretty hammered, swirls and scratches like your worse nightmare.

Anyway I taped off a section after washing and drying. Clayed it and tried some d300 on a mf pad. The pad was black after seconds! I'm thinking its dirt, grime or some other contaminant and pretty sure its not a tinted clear. We bought the car from the dealer so I suppose it could be the remnants of something they used in the detail process but I'm not sure. I've never seen a bunch of grime or other mystery substance after claying? Ideas?

If it helps a few sprays of OPC dissolved the grime on my pad and it easily rinsed out.

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[GettingStarted]

Most likely contaminants that were embedded into the paint that can't be removed with claying.

[Pureshine]

Was it black or just dirty looking? If it was black/black them it might be paint.

[Chicago Tommy]

You're still going to pick up some dirt and contaminates no matter how much you clay or scrub. Old paint will have peaks and valleys. Once you abrade the paint to level it, you will be finally removing all the dirt from the low spots in the valleys.

[KillaCam]

Probably a mix of dirt and oxidized paint.

[jlinder]

I'm fairly certain its not paint or clear coat by the way it dissolved and washed out. The test spot was about 12x12 and the grime plugged up my pad twice after just a few passes. Any suggestions for something paint safe that will at least pull some it out of the paint before I polish?

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[Zelfiris]

Some people would use tar remover or ironx to remove a layer of contaminants prior to claying. Maybe you should try another a test spot on a different panel to see if its the same effect