I got a clay bar kit a little whille ago it's from Meguiar's. At first I thought they were crap but I heard only good stuff from mags. and car shows about them so I figured I'd give it a try. They work awesome I was really impresed after alittle rubbing with the clay bar and the paint is so smooth it's almost scary :D if you really want to get and ass kickin' finish get one they work really well. :)

I agree! but... it's a lot of work and when you do one spot it makes you want to do the whole car

I love clay. It's my primary tool for detailing my car every few months. The great thing about it is that you only need to do it once in a while, and it goes for quite some time. It's pretty much the equivalent of a deep skin cleanser. I don't even think it takes that long--buffing takes waaaaay longer. Plus it works on automotive acne: WATER STAINS!!!

Oh yeah, it helps remove oxidation as well (the funky tiny circle patches that appear when you apply wax).

After you have used the clay bar do you go ahead and wax it, I've got the Megs. three step..or do you just stop after that...and you'd wash it first, right?

First wash, then clay, then wax. Don't wax before clay, otherwise the wax will get all over the clay. The idea is to strip the car of all its embedded filth, and then shield it with wax. Oh yeah another thing: after you clay, your paint may look like you smeared stuff on it and have to wash it again, but you don't need to--the wax finishes it off.

After you're all done, touch the paint with your bare hands--you will really notice the difference. Or place stuff on the hood/roof like dry towels, wax bottles etc...they will all slide off! (but don't scratch the finish).

I use 2 claybars, one for the paint and the other one for the wheels. Takes the brake dust off the wheels.

For the paint, I fold over the claybar a lot to expose a clean surface and to get maximun cleaning. Just make sure you use enough lube, car wash mix or detailer spray and work in sections. I fill a small spray bottle and that makes it easier to keep the paint wet.

:)

I just bought Meguiar's Detailing Clay for removing light to medium swirl marks from a detailer's buffer (which I will never pay to have done, again). What is the procedure for using the Detailing Clay after washing the car? Does it require any lubrication? Or, do you just rub it on the surface? Any particular motion?

Any help would be appreciated.

Raphael

Like the previous posts state, you basically wash your car, dry it, and then start spraying small areas with your detailer mist. Rub the clay only in wet areas (otherwise it will stick) and use a terry cloth to remove leftover grime. Do the whole car and then wax it as normal.

PS. Doesn't the Meguiars set come with instructions?

Originally posted by dLocke
Like the previous posts state, you basically wash your car, dry it, and then start spraying small areas with your detailer mist. Rub the clay only in wet areas (otherwise it will stick) and use a terry cloth to remove leftover grime. Do the whole car and then wax it as normal.

PS. Doesn't the Meguiars set come with instructions?

Thanx for your help. And, no. The clay bar didn't come with instructions. Just the bar and a Meguiars label. What I wanted really need to know about was the type of detailer mist. The place I bought it from said to use some kind of lubricant. Hell if I know which lubricant to buy. I finally bought one of Meguiar's detailing products.

Again, thanx.

Raphael

i recommend using a brick from that pile of bricks at the construction site. thats right just take the brick and locate it on your hood(preferrably after a paint job) and relocate the brick in a downwards motion towards the front fascia of the vehicle.

just kidding anyone who does this will be shot.:licker:

i have been reading everybody's reply about using clay bars. if you use the clay bar with a liquid cleaner doesn't it still strip the paint. when i had my car repainted last year i was using a cleaner/wax every time i waxed, which was a wrong thing to do as it's supposed to strip the clear coat. so what goes with the clay bar. is it as bad as using a cleaner/wax?

i also heard that using the clay bar doesn't remove the wax, but this doesn't sound right to me. also, if you've used a cleaner/wax then waxed almost everytime you wash the vehicle, do you think claying the car would still be beneficial???? or not, since it's got quite a few coats of wax.

Take your new clay bar & divide in into 3 section in case your drop it. Once it hits the ground its useless.

Originally posted by debbie1
i have been reading everybody's reply about using clay bars. if you use the clay bar with a liquid cleaner doesn't it still strip the paint. when i had my car repainted last year i was using a cleaner/wax every time i waxed, which was a wrong thing to do as it's supposed to strip the clear coat. so what goes with the clay bar. is it as bad as using a cleaner/wax?

I've never had the claybar ever damage the paint or finish. The cars finish is a hundred times better if you use the claybar before polishing and waxing the car (you must wax it when you're done because the claybar will remove wax as well as all other crap on the paint)

Go here for some good advice http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SGCWC&Store_Code=Z Even if you don't use Zaino, you should follow along. As for Zaino itself. Its the best out there that I've ever used.

check this guys ride out after using Zaino!!!

...cleaner wax.
what do i need to know?

'97 metallic green buick skylark - niiice

Cleaner wax is a polish/wax in 1-step. For better results will over the counter products try:

Wash/dry
Clay bar
Show car glaze(meguairs)
Pure Carnuba wax

ive never used the clay before, but i think im gonna try it one day this week.... Last time i detailed my car, instead of waxing, I used eagle one wet shine. anybody ever try this stuff, i was actually impressed with the results, i know its not a good a waxing but, inbetween waxing, its what i like to use....

Eagle One Wet Shine is basically a spray wax & very good inbetween full waxes. I use a similar product to keep the show cars clean after 20hrs of detail work.

Clay bars are amazing little things & well worth the few bucks they cost. Unless you drop the bar expect 20-30 cars worth of use. Divide new bars into 1/3's & keep folding.

hey, i know this is a stupid question.. but im a complete newbie at this (cuz im more of a tech guy). , and i decided to try it on my car.

but when u guys wash ur cars do u do it at home or at a car wash and than hand dry it ?

cuz i usally go to a car wash and than hand dry it. but i never tried the clay and wax cuz i didnt want to mess it up...

and also how do u guys get those hard to reach places..? i have a 03 wrx and its hard to clean under the wing since my hand can barely go under it. srry for the dumb questions and thxs in advanced.

I have a detailing shop so I dont beleive in car washes:wink: I usually clean my cars in the shop or rarely @ home.

Carwashes dont clean hard to reach places & crevices. You must hand wash with car shampoo(not dish wash soap, hair shampoo also works) using a wash mit & SOFT SOFT SOFT SOFT SOFT SOFT body brushes

Always clean out of direct sunlight & never let chemicals dry except wax, even that doesn't have to dry completely to protect. Clay bar is very easy to use. It should be done after the wash while wet, or dry with a chemical spray. The dry/lube bars work better than the ones for wet work. Mothers makes a nice clay bar found in most stores, I have 3 strenghts of clay from my supplier that I use daily.

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