How do I remove embedded dust?

On a long trip, I spent about 10 miles behind some dump trucks that had a dust trailing from them. After I got home and washed my 2015 Taco, it seemed like there was embedded dust in the paint. The hood and roof had a kind of rough feel to them. I think I was sort of sandblasted. How can I safely remove that embedded dust and regain that smooth finish?

 

Use clay bar. It works amazing and restores the paint to a nice smooth feel. Just wash it first.

Meguiars and Mothers both sell kits that have the spray and clay bars available everywhere.

 

Yep clay bar the paint !!!

 

X2!What Morgan said above!^

 

Claying procedure copied from: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/paint-protection-advice-wax-and-sealer.401094/

Claying, when necessary, removes bonded contaminants and/or ensures that wax or sealer bonds to your paint as well as it can. It'll leave your paint feeling like glass.

Pick up a mothers or clay kit. $20 at the big box stores or auto parts stores. The kit comes with two pieces of clay and a bottle of detail spray. You basically knead the clay, form it into a 4" x 4" flat "pad", and then soak the paint surface with the detail spray. Then rub the clay over the surface of the paint. Use plenty of "lube" (detail spray). You really don't want to apply pressure. Just the weight of the clay and the pressure of your hand to hold it on the surface is plenty. The soaked surface allows the clay to simply slide over the surface of the paint and it picks up contaminants that are bound to the surface that don't come off with normal washing (invisible/visible sap, oil, road grime, etc). Even if your paint looks clean, it's not. You'll be amazed at all the gunk that comes off with clay. Check the clay often. When you see that it's dirty, you fold the clay a couple times and flatten it again. This exposes a clean surface. Work a small area (1/4 or 1/2 of a panel) at a time and then move to the next area. Use plenty of lube. You might use half a bottle of detail spray for a vehicle. You want to wash the vehicle before claying. And if you drop the clay, THROW IT AWAY. and use the second piece. You don't want grit in your clay for obvious reasons. Wipe off the lube after finishing a panel. Repeat as necessary. When it feels smooth like a piece of new glass, you're done. Now.... Wash the truck again before applying your wax/sealant.

The process removes bonded contaminants allowing last step products to adhere much better (wax/sealer). I was blown away the first time I tried it. An almost new truck that looked clean- had a ton of gunk come off on the clay.

 

Nobody has mentioned it, but after you clay - wax your paint.

 

If you have tiny scratches, do clay, polish, then wax.

 

Why is this?
Seems obvious when going through all the work to clay but interested in the reasoning. I'm new to detailing.

 

Claying will likely remove some of whatever protectant is on the surface.

Some people will say Claying removes all the protectant, and wile I suppose it's possible, there are several variables involved (how much wax is there to begin with, how aggressive is the clay, how long do you clay, etc.). Long story short, just reapply after you clay.

 

Exactly what he said.

 

Also, having done it myself once, there's no easy way about it, claying is super time consuming and very tiring lol. I would say I spent a solid 2 hours or so claying my whole truck, and I probably didn't do it well enough on the second half lol. It's literally just rub rub rub rub nonstop(TWSS), BUT when you get done with a whole panel, run your fingers along it, and then run your fingers along another panel, the difference is amazing. It should feel silky smooth with nothing whatsoever catching on your fingers. If you feel any irregularities or bumps or anything, you didn't clay long enough, DO IT OVER.

 

I find claying goes quickly. Lots of detailer and just glide the clay bar across the surface. No heavy rubbing. Results are a nice smooth surface. Really makes a difference above just plain wash and wax.

 

Either you had super contaminated paint or a terrible clay bar. Lol.

 

meguires clay bar but yeah first clay bar in like 2 years, multiple desert trips

 

Yep, lots of variability in time involved. I do mine twice a year and it's super fast. Honestly doesn't take too much longer than drying after a wash. But if it's super contaminated, then yeah it'll take a little longer. Note: you're NOT scrubbing your paint with the clay. You're simply gliding it back and forth over the surface-- this is why it takes longer If the paint is very contaminated. I try to avoid circular patterns for obvious reasons.

 

Oh...so a combination of both. You probably need a more aggressive clay. The Megs is ok but it takes entirely too long.

 

Yeah, that was like 3 years ago. Meguires is fine for people that don't offroad alot or that actually wash their car semi frequently. It worked just fine for what I wanted it to, it just took a little extra elbow grease to get it done. I wasn't about to go searching for some crazy clay bar for a self wash and wax at my apartment lol.