Claying

[Jamie]

Going to buy a clay bar and have a go and claying mine.

Is this something I can f**k up and damage my paint work in any fashion?

 

[JackoR26]

Dont drop the clay bar on the floor and use it again, no seriously mate keep the surface well lubricated and you cant really go wrong.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I got the Megs clay kit, with the detailer spray. As long as you keep it lubricated, and don't apply LOADS of pressure you will be ok.

Oh....and as above, don't drop it!

 

[db]

Lots of lube!!
... and yes you will notice very very minor maring after use. It also strips any existing protection you have on the car, so a polish and protect will be needed after fella.

 

[kev182cup]

If it's the cars first clay I would get a more abrasive clay than the megs kit so that you get all the crap off.

 

[The Boosh!]

If it's the cars first clay I would get a more abrasive clay than the megs kit so that you get all the crap off.

Yeh but if he does that then he will need a machine polish as it will marr like f**k...

I would go less abrahsive clay + tardis

 

[ben_p]

Goof shout on the tardis, may just use it on the lower and front parts of the car, the clay lube will be fine for on top!

AG super resin polish and EGP are a good shout to follow up with the clay bar, tiny amount of cut in the SRP to shift the light maring..plus it works a treat on the red too.

Tip for the SRP is using small amounts and work until clear!

 

[The Boosh!]

I thought SRP had 0 cut what so ever. Just contains fillers

 

[Cal182]

Do you spray onto the clay bar or the body work?

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Onto the bodywork. Work in small areas at a time, ie. split a bonnet into quarters.

 

[Cal182]

Orite, am with ya! Cheers!

 

[kev182cup]

ive had a few bars now and never suffered marring, always get good advice off NEdetailing who showed me how to do it and the differences with different products.

 

[RussZS]

The Megs clay is very mild, so shouldn't leave any marring at all behind, but as Luke suggests, the stronger clays will, which CAN require a machine polisher to remove the marks it creates.

Use little to no pressure over a VERY well lubed surface and you will be fine. Following up with SRP then EGP is a good suggestion too.

 

[Whisker biscuit]

Trailing a thread up here but should i do one panel then rinse/wash or keep going til the whole car is done ?

 

[Sanders]

Trailing a thread up here but should i do one panel then rinse/wash or keep going til the whole car is done ?

Upto you, i do the whole car then wash it after, have no problems with it

 

[Whisker biscuit]

Upto you, i do the whole car then wash it after, have no problems with it

Cheers

 

[AKFM1]

is there any way to rub the clay? in straight lines or circular motions?

 

[EllD90]

I do it in a side to side motion, then gradually move around the panel.

 

[RussZS]

Side to side makes sense. No pressure though, just guide it with your hand

 

[Paddy_g46]

I dont understand how it does anything with lube on?! Surely the lube stops the clay from coming into contact with the paintwork? :S

 

[RussZS]

I dont understand how it does anything with lube on?! Surely the lube stops the clay from coming into contact with the paintwork? :S

Exactly - try it without lube, and it'll stick like s**t to a blanket - the lube keeps it away from the paint, but the clay being soft still picks up anything on top of the clearcoat

 

[Curtis!]

Need to grab some for mine and have a play with claying/wax/seal the bonnet I guess. Never done anything of the sort before.

 

[Clgale88]

Is the Autoglym clay kit ok to use and will it leave marks and need electric polishing as im going to get a new kit before i do mine friday??

 

[RussZS]

Is the Autoglym clay kit ok to use and will it leave marks and need electric polishing as im going to get a new kit before i do mine friday??

The AG kit is great really and shouldn't leave any marks on Clio paint. They include a small bottle of SRP for you to remove any marks anyway, so you're sorted

 

[Clgale88]

Sound get my bro to get me soem of that as hes a valeter and gets all autoglym stuff half price

 

[Jamie]

Quite an old thread, but didn't see the point in starting a new one.

These days I:

Wash,
Clay,
SRP,
Wax (AG Again),
Extra Gloss protect

Is there anything else to add? I don't use the car much and have a garage now, so it just sits in there and everynow and again I give it a good wash. Since I use it so little, the time between washes can be big but mileage is very low so it remains quite clean and dirt just falls off. I'm just looking to put a little something extra on it now that I have the time and in door storage. Only thoughts I had would be that ultimate shine stuff AG do.

Any suggestions?

 

[JD]

Only suggestions of "you're doing it wrong!".

Only joking - but put the EGP on first, then Wax.

If you want a little extra, I would suggest expanding the SRP stage. At the moment you are using a filler polish. It is a great all-rounder, but as the saying goes, jack of all trades - master of none. How about some light cutting polish, like Lime Prime from Dodo Juice, followed by Red Moose Glaze? This would do a better job of polishing and the RMG will really bring the paint out. You're unlikely to correct by hand with Lime Prime, so the RMG will have the added value of filling any marks/swirls.

You could also drop the EGP for a better and easier to use product, such as Chem Guys Blitz Spray sealant. Imagine EGP, but in spray form and not as dusty, with the added bonus of looking better and more slick. Although for a red car you could also go with Jeffs Werkstat Carnauba Jett, which looks superb on flat colours like reds and yellows.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/werkstat-carnauba-jett.html

 

[Jamie]

Hi mate, thanks for writing that.

I used to do EGP then wax, but someone told me this was wrong and said wax and then seal. So, EGP then wax? This is the first time I've actually waxed then sealed.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll def look into it. I do have a number of swirls so getting rid of some of some of them would be good. I was going to PC the car but I'm not sure I want to do that myself and screw it up so mild products sound good. I've heard that "dodo juice" used a number of times on here and so now I've got a bit of free time, I'll have a browse on polishedbliss or alike and get some.

Cheers again.

 

[martijn_b]

Yeps JD is right, first seal then wax.

As for the PC-> GO-FOR-IT!
Really... even my girlfriend uses my D/A polisher to do her Yaris. It's so easy to use, and you can't really go wrong unless you fall asleep leaning on the polisher on it's highest rotation speed.