Claying... few questions - bit worried!!

[TidyRach]

Hiya! I bought some Meguiars Quik Clay Kit mainly because i've got some tree sap & stuff on my car that just wont come off when I wash it! I've heard brilliant things about claying cars & they finish off looking brand new, so am keen to give it a go...

But... well am I right in thinking... I wash, clay, wash again, polish (I have Autoglym Ultra Deep Shine) then wax? (I have purple haze dodo juice)

I've read that claying can make the car look worse first, which is ok cause I know i'll polish etc, but i'm just worried even after i've polished/waxed it'll still look worse! I mean can you mess it up? Is there any special way you should be doing it to avoid any messing up etc?

Would just rather get a heads up before I start work! Cars black by the way, dont know if some colours clay better or worse then others!

Cheers for any info! x

 

[Rich]

I would not say clay amkes a car look brand new - it will leave perfectly smooth paint.

Main tips for claying is make sure the clay is warm and soft, otherwise it will induce lots of marring. Don't use too much pressure and and ensure the surface is well lubricated with quick detail spray or soapy water. Split the clay bar into 2 or 3 - if you drop it get a new bit. When in action make sure you keep kneading it to a clean surface and pick out any large lumps of contamination it removes.

Personally especially on Black you may need a better polish the UDS after claying but that really depends on you paint condition.

Cheers

Rich

 

[NOT! gary l]

n my (limited) experience claying makes no visual difference, only when you feel it when dry willyou notice a result.

 

[Rich]

Has always made cars look worse for me !

 

[TidyRach]

What about the tree sap stain? So really I probably dont need to clay at all? I thought it looked shinier & newer if you did?

Doesnt matter if its a pointless exercise i'll just sell the claying kit, havent opened it yet!

 

[Rich]

Tree sap that is actually stuck to the paint will come off with claying stains left buy it will be removable with a decent polish.

All claying will do is remove bonded on grime washing alone won't anything that is bonded to the paint will be removed by it.

Shine and gloss - i.e looking new and fresh is in the polishing stage - this is why black cars respond so well to a good machine polish.

 

[TidyRach]

Oh I see!! Thanks for that!

Might borrow my mates machine polisher then!

 

[Rich]

It is the best mod you can make to Black ! Only reason I got mine was down to buying a Black 182 .

 

[TidyRach]

Hahaha I really should read posts before I reply to your PMs cause I just asked what colour your 182 was!

My mate did say his polisher is good, but you can only do panels cause it doesnt move or something like that... is that crap? Or will it do the job? I normally polish myself but god my arm aches after just one coat of polish, let alone a coat of wax too! Just trying to save my arm!

 

[Reyes]

Make sure you wax it. That gives the 'brand new look'

 

[Rich]

You should be able to get better results by machine, and it will save your arms from feeling like they are going top fall off !

 

[Reyes]

You should be able to get better results by machine, and it will save your arms from feeling like they are going top fall off !

\

puff:quiet:

 

[Rich]

Make sure you wax it. That gives the 'brand new look'

Unfortunately not - the polish is the stage that does that, wax seals and protects while adding a little to the overall apperance.

 

[TidyRach]

So a polish & a wax will look awesome?!

 

[Reyes]

So a polish & a wax will look awesome?!

Yes, unless you have stained paintwork. Like tar etc. Use clay to get that off. Generally wax and polish makes the car look mintex

 

[Rich]

Sure will, clean black cars are the dogs lol

 

[Reyes]

Unfortunately not - the polish is the stage that does that, wax seals and protects while adding a little to the overall apperance.

Ive found that using both at the same time give that effect

 

[Rich]

Ive found that using both give that effect

Indeed - Both are needed. Polish to create gloss and fix any defects, wax or sealant to look in the shine, protect while adding that little extra to the looks.

 

[Reyes]

Also if you wax it a shite load. You get a really scarily clean car. Even when its dirty.. its clean.. :S
Jezz, waxes his black 172 even when its not dirty. Man that car is crazily clean..

 

[TidyRach]

Well i've never waxed before so cant wait to see the results!

 

[Reyes]

Post em in here. Good luck with it. Im off to bed. Night all lol

 

[TidyRach]

Me too! Night all too x

 

[Gary-Lew]

What applicator products you going to use , eg meguairs foam applicator pads, drying towelss, microfibres etc

 

[AndyT23]

Well i've never waxed before so cant wait to see the results!

Nobody jumped in with a comedy reply to this one..... . CS jokers must be prowling elsewhere on the forum.....

 

[mattjk]

Nobody jumped in with a comedy reply to this one..... . CS jokers must be prowling elsewhere on the forum.....

LOL we all like it jungle style

 

[pinky]

Just make sure you keep the part of car wet with the detailer at all times