My first experience with clay

[AED55]

Used clay for the first time, on my red 06. About the only thing the clay picked up was a light yellow color, which I assume was old wax accumulation, and some little black specs. It probably didn't improve the finish of the car that much, but it didn't take that long and just seeing something come off the surface, made me fell better.

I used the Meguiar's G1016 Smooth Surface Clay Kit. It was reasonably priced and included everything, including a microfiber towel and a small bottle of their cleaner wax . I have enough of everything left, to do it again it the spring.

[Ballfade]

yea claying is wonderful, polish and wax that B .

[ReggaeRampage]

I've never used clay because of the fear that im going to add what is already a lot of time to cleaning my car. You guys got any tips to getting that done quicker w/ the clay?

[Ballfade]

not much just all depends on the pace you take.

[XyX]

clay doesnt really take that long, especially on a newer car. What I do is wash the car, pull it in the garage then clay, then rewash, pull it back in and wax/seal it.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by XyX

clay doesnt really take that long, especially on a newer car. What I do is wash the car, pull it in the garage then clay, then rewash, pull it back in and wax/seal it.

Woa!!! Where have you been....

[Ballfade]

^what he said

[AED55]

Originally Posted by ReggaeRampage

I've never used clay because of the fear that im going to add what is already a lot of time to cleaning my car. You guys got any tips to getting that done quicker w/ the clay?

I thought that might be a problem too, but it really doesn't add a whole of time to the process. When claying, you must wash your car throughly, which your going to do anyway. So that adds no time to the process.

The actual clay procedure is fast and easy, especially on a sport compact, like the Eclipse. Even the most basic clay kits include a "detailer" spray, that you mist on a section at time and then just rub the clay over that section. It glides very easy, so there's no real effort to it. After you've clayed a section, take a microfiber towel, and clean off the remaining detailer spray. You just need to take a look at the clay every so many passes, to see what it's picked up. When it gets fairly nasty looking, you just knead the clay a little bit, till you get a nice white surface, and then continue on.

After your done claying, go ahead and polish and or wax. This is another step that you would do anyway, when detailing, so it adds no time to the whole process either.

I would say it's worth the little extra time, to get a truly smooth, grime free finish. When you see the crap the clay picked up, even after a good wash, you will get a feeling you've really done something worthwile to make your ride look better. Since the actual "kit" is fairly cheap, I would recommend you give it a try at least once and then decide if it's worth the extra time and effort to continue doing it in the future.

[XyX]

I been around, I do my forum hopping from time to time. Been hella busy moving around and such.

[Ballfade]

glad to see ya

[ReggaeRampage]

I guess I thought that you had to wash it again after claying.
That doesn't sound so bad.

[AED55]

Originally Posted by ReggaeRampage

I guess I thought that you had to wash it again after claying.
That doesn't sound so bad.

The instructions on the Meguiar's kit don't say you need to, but it's probably not a bad idea before waxing. I'm certainly no expert, but I would say it probably depends on how much crud the clay pulled up. A quick shot with just the hose sprayer would probably be enough.

[XyX]

If you clay, trust me you'll see why you need to wash it. Plus it only take a min. to wash off the residue because your paint is pretty smooth and everything will slide right off.

[ReggaeRampage]

Originally Posted by AED55

The instructions on the Meguiar's kit don't say you need to, but it's probably not a bad idea before waxing. I'm certainly no expert, but I would say it probably depends on how much crud the clay pulled up. A quick shot with just the hose sprayer would probably be enough.

Originally Posted by XyX

If you clay, trust me you'll see why you need to wash it. Plus it only take a min. to wash off the residue because your paint is pretty smooth and everything will slide right off.

Nice.
I guess once it starts to warm up again around here, I'll have something new to try.

[XyX]

Just clayed mine, smooth as a babys butt. Didnt have it in me to wax it tonight though.

[Danester]

Originally Posted by ReggaeRampage

I've never used clay because of the fear that im going to add what is already a lot of time to cleaning my car. You guys got any tips to getting that done quicker w/ the clay?

do what I do...pay someone else to do it while you're at work....

ive never personally clayed my car, I have always used Meguiars Cleaner Wax and let the DA do the rest...but i'm not a real pro at this and I don't do show quality work i'm sure....I'll have to try it one day, but I've never seen this clay bar on the shelf in any store, so I never think about it....but i've looked for it....how does the liquid clay rate to it? i've seen that stuff....

[XyX]

They sell claybar kits everywhere, even wal mart. I'd only pay someone to machine polish my car because I don't have a buffer to do it myself. I'll tell you, since I've had the car I've paid twice to have it detailed and was worth it both times. Now that I have more experience I will be buying a buffer and doing my own compound/polishing.

[Danester]

I do my own buffing....but I've never seen this clay bar, even at wal mart.....never at autozone, pep boys, checker, napa....you name it, I looked for it...I've never seen one on the shelf....the only one I've eveer seen was the one liquid one......I see no point in using a liquid one when I can just buff it out.....

[XyX]

UT is utah right? Why dont you just ask someone at autozone or pep boys and I'm sure they'll show you the kit they sell.

[SpeedofLight]

Originally Posted by XyX

UT is utah right? Why dont you just ask someone at autozone or pep boys and I'm sure they'll show you the kit they sell.

this is what I used, and I am completely satisfied with the turn out. My 89 camaro's paint was so smooth. the most important thing to do, it to wax your car after claying. if you don't then u clayed for noting.

[SpeedofLight]

also, if you run your hand over your cars body, you can hear how dirty the car is. the way to tell if you have clayed an area enough is if the clay easily glides along a specific spot. If you have resistance then it is not clean enough.

[HAZE]

Yea, clay is great. If you're going to spend time washing and waxing, you can add another 20 minutes for the clay.

It's worth it.

[Danester]

aight....I've seen pics of that box before, I'll just have to order it...thx guys

[AiRmAn2281]

zainostore.com has a good kit...they are a little expensive but well worth it in the end.

[Special_K]

Originally Posted by AiRmAn2281

zainostore.com has a good kit...they are a little expensive but well worth it in the end.

I use Zaino Bros. stuff on all 3 of my cars. Works great on daily drivers also. After a winters worth of driving and 100% outside duty, my DD still beads water. I haven't Zaino'd it for 5 months.

[Mattman]

holy shit!!!! i clayed the 4g and my girls TC, F'ing amazing! ive never done it before but i will from now on. anyone can do this, and i dont think theres anything bad that an happen...its easy. i was very conservative with spray, but apparently from the OP you can use a lot of it. it makes things a lot easier.

i paid someone to wax it it though....guess i need to learn that next

[witeout]

Ya claying and waxing your car is not hard to do it just takes some time, but ever since I've been doing it myself I could never go back to paying someone else a ton of money to do.

[witeout]

Originally Posted by XyX

UT is utah right? Why dont you just ask someone at autozone or pep boys and I'm sure they'll show you the kit they sell.

Oh and yeah that's what I use for claying, Nice and cheap at walmart

[Ballfade]

i think i will clay after all this green shit stop showing up on my car.

[witeout]

Originally Posted by Ballfade

i think i will clay after all this green shit stop showing up on my car.

green shit? wtf lol

[Ballfade]

pollen, and falk tomorrow should be heavy pollen. I'm waxing my car right now (had to wax the CF hood, so why not the whole car).

[witeout]

yeah man I know what you mean pollens really bad and gets all over my car when I park it near these tall bushes in my neighborhood

[Ballfade]

it must suck on a black car haha

[witeout]

every thing sucks on a black car, rain spots, pollen, bird shit, scratches, dust, dirt, excess gas from the gas pump, dents and of course splattered bugs haha

But its all worth it when its all nice and clean

[AiRmAn2281]

Originally Posted by witeout

every thing sucks on a black car, rain spots, pollen, bird shit, scratches, dust, dirt, excess gas from the gas pump, dents and of course splattered bugs haha

But its all worth it when its all nice and clean

True dat!!! I got a white one but the black looks so damn sexy for the 20 minutes you can keep it clean after a wash....lol

[Mattman]

how do you get rid of the little spiderweb lines? (on black cars) they are the bane of my weekend detail.

[Ballfade]

hmm pic of what you're speaking of?

[AiRmAn2281]

Originally Posted by Mattman

how do you get rid of the little spiderweb lines? (on black cars) they are the bane of my weekend detail.

i think what he is talking about is swirll marks...they have a compund for that if thats what you are talking about.

[Mattman]

ill take one, have to step out to go to audio shop. if i have time before work ill take a few.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by AiRmAn2281

i think what he is talking about is swirll marks...they have a compund for that if thats what you are talking about.

yeah swirls....ill check around, does it have a name? (pic maybe)