Clay

[BrettD]

Well after reading so much about enthusiasts 'claying' their paintwork, I decided to give it a go.
I went out and got some Mcguires with lube, obviously better products around. After reading the Instructions I went to work. I must say, it was easy and the amount of rubbish the Clay pulls up is amazing(I kept running in to show the Mrs..She just kept nodding with a half enthusiastic "hmmm")
I fully clayed then Wax/Polished, the look is amazing and the feels like glass.
If you've ever thought about it..DO IT!

[Silver dub]

Welcome to the joyful world of clay!

You'll never look back now.

[Hayman002]

aint it just great but!!!!...used it for the first time a few months back on my 08 EOS, difference was amazing. only took 7 hours to wash, dry, clay, polish and wax...!!!!!....loved every minute....could be doing far worse things I reckon......

[Wolfgang]

I went over my Golf with Dodo Juice clay not long after I bought it. The car had obviously not been done in the two years since it was new, back half of the roof and the boot took three passes to remove all the rubbish.

All I need to do now is correct swirl city.

Quick note to clay novices: No matter how good you are at claying it usually leaves some marring so polishing afterwards is advised. Follow with a sealent or wax and less rubbish will stick on in future.

[Flipper Dog]

Like the true looser I am I decided to give the car a easter clay, polish and seal in my time off. Went to grab the old clay bar, Zaino Z-18, I have had for 18 months only to find it was no longer any good to use. So stuck as not many places open over easter to purchase quality car care products. Saturday I happen to find the local super cheap open and there was a Meguiars clay bar.
I always thought all clay bars were the same but how wrong was I. The Meguiars worked but with multiple of passes where the Zaino's would pick up stuff almost right away, there for claying took about 3 times more effort than it should have.

So a word of advice, if shopping for a clay bar look for good quality products as not all are the same. Next purchase I will be seeking professional guidance.

[ralp2dam]

I too have recently been introduced to the world of claying. Being a novice I went to supercheap and bought the mothers clay bar pack.

I clayed my car which is almost 9 years old and was amazed. Being so amazed with it I did my other car as I love the silky feel.

Having done alot more reading and sought advice, I'll be buying the dodo claybar set next. Hopefully I'll be amazed again. If you haven't ever used clay give it a go, you'll love it.

[revivor]

I am about to clay my car. I got a Mothers Clay Kit and a Meg Gold Class Wax. I am planning to get either Mothers Sealer & Glaze/Meguiar Deep Crystal Polish for the polish.
Can anyone recommend which of the two I should buy? I own a Icelandic Grey car.

[carcareproducts]

For anyone who is unsure how to clay or wanting to know how to clay correctly this video/information will help you How To Clay Your Car

More information How To Section

Remember after you clay your car you are removing all the contaminants as well any sealants or waxes on the car too so make sure you re-seal or re-wax the paintwork afterwards.

This flow chart may help;

[Jarred]

I've got a question about clay. how long does it last? Ie. When Do I need to start with a new bar (or fresh piece) or how many cars per bar etc.

Sorry for what is a seemingly simple question, but I've just never been sure! thanks.

[carcareproducts]

Jarred,

It depends to be honest. Some cars will destroy a clay bar instantly. Other times you can reuse it again and again.

If you think it has a lot of dirt/grime/grit stuck/and or accumulated on it i would throw it. But unfortunately it does depend on the car your doing.

I recently did a SP23 Mazda which is ALWAYS garaged at home and at work and it killed 1/3rd of my clay bar (make sure you cut your clay bar in half or 3rds, dependent on how big it is). But did my own car and barely anything came off!

Luck of the draw and depends how often you do it i suppose as well!

[Jarred]

Cheers, Pretty much what I figured.

I wouldn't want to be doing the whole car again with that bar. I don't think it's been done (ever, perhaps) and it's diesel too. I might just keep it for touch ups between 'major' details.

Thanks.

[dave_r]

Like the true looser I am I decided to give the car a easter clay, polish and seal in my time off.

+1 LOL

Dodo Juice clay

Using this, top stuff

It depends to be honest. Some cars will destroy a clay bar instantly. Other times you can reuse it again and again.

I figure the cost of it isn't that high so easier to just chuck it out. After doing the Polo and Golf I have about 1/3 of the bar left. Would have had more but I dropped the piece I broke off when doing the Golf and figured it was safer to bin it.

With the Polo I did small areas, then wipe over with cloth. On the Golf I started but as it wasn't a hot day, so I just rolled it outta the garage and used the gerni to hose off the clay residue/dodo juice lube as I went along. Was much quicker and easier.

[revivor]

Finally completed my 3 step - wash/clay+polish+wax.
Got a lot of the contamination out with the clay bar.

Results: Stunning like new!



Question: Should I do a 2nd layer of wax?

[carcareproducts]

Definitely do a second layer of wax so you get 100% coverage more than anything.

And re-apply your wax every 2-3 months if your a daily driver just due to the fact it being a natural wax it will wear of!

Would of taken you a while on the passat! not a small car! Im sure it probably looks better than what it did when you got it..

[revivor]

Well I actually spread out the work a little so not to tire myself. Washed and dried at night (1hr), the rest the next day (4hrs). I detailed the insides a few days before due to the rainy weather (all looks new inside now).

I used the following:

Wash: Meg Gold Class - washed at the manual car wash using a bucket & mitt. Need the pressure gun to lift the dirt for me. Do it at night so there are no one to complain at you!

Dry: Syn chamois

Clay: Mothers Clay Kit (used 1x 80g bar - split into 1/3) - was really black from the roof top and boot top. Due to daily parking spot under the tree and rain at work! I really hate tree sap and bird poo!

Glaze: Meg Deep Crystal Polish - left to dry 10min then wiped off

Wax: Meg Gold Class Wax - left to dry 10min then wiped off.

Hope to do it again 3/4mths ahead
Wife was impressed with the shine