claying

[Terry in NC]

Bought an 02 Lincoln LS last summer. Started life with her by "stripping" with Dawn, Deep Crystal Paint cleaner, clay, and 2 coats of Polymer Sealant. She lives most of the time in the garage but did spend a few weeks in the open and of course picked up new inclusions in the hood, roof & trunk. My question is whether I can do a light clay pass without removing or damaging the poly coats? My other option is just to put another coat over everything that's there.
Thanks.

[HammerDown]

Well I just did the "clay bar" deal on my car and it did have 2 coats of M21 on it prior to claying...I felt the need to apply M21 again after I did a hand polish. And here's why...even being VERY carful, the clay bar will leave behind a very few fine scratches. Nothing a mild polish won't easly remove...thus the need for more M21 No biggie.

PS claying a car is actually fun!

[Terry in NC]

That's kind of what I was afraid of. Don't know how hard the #20 Polymer is, but if the clay has any dirt in it..., although it doesn't scratch the paint!
I presume your scratches covered ok with the next coat and without rubbing? Could you see them easily?

Terry in NC

[STG]

If clay removes imbedded industrial fallout, it sure as heck removes any paint "sealant".

If your car had any dealer added sealent, the Dawn got rid of it.

Why would you use dishwashing soap anyway?

[Terry in NC]

To clean any removable tars & stains off before I started claying and building a new surface. Polishing is a last resort - it removes paint.

Terry in NC

[KFM2500HEMI]

I thought the purpose of the clay is to take any tar / stains off that normal washing (with a car wash) wouldn't? I am by no means an expert, but Terry I think you are wrong when you state that polishing is a last resort because it removes paint...I am sure some of the more educated forum members will chime in.

[TH0001]

Your Lincoln has a clear coat, and yes polishing does remove a very small amount, depending on the polish and method used for buffing...

DC1 has no abrasives, so you didn't remove anyclear coat with that, and if I remember Mike's thread, using DACP 83 with a PC, the clear coat was only reduced by .001 of a mill. In other words, the swirls where removed with in the first 1/45 of the paint thickness...

Always use the least aggresive product to get the job done. Also, if you applied the #20 about 9 months ago, it has probably been gone from the surface for the last 6 months anyways.

Using Dawn was unneccessary because the DC#1 removes wax/sealent anyways.

[Terry in NC]

Thanks.
Well, it sounds like I can just start over with clay & sealant. If I get on it now I don't need any polishing.
I'm surprised the sealant would be gone. I expected a much longer life from it, especially for the price. I'm still beading very well, but maybe that's just clean paint?
I've been using some $5 stuff (Nu Finish) on my wife's car for years and it seems to last nearly a year. Don't see any point in changing hers.

[TH0001]

Waterbeading is a product of high surface tension, and has NOTHING to do with protection. NuFinish, like anyother sealent, self sacrafices itself for your cars protection. Touching it, washing it, wind, weather, anything ect wears the protectent away. Polishing paint (polish such as DC2 or #7) have no abbrasives and DO NOT wear paint at all.

What I believe you are referring to as "polishing" is actually what Meguiar's refers to as either compounding or cleaning. The purpose of this is remove cobwebbing and/or swirl marks. With out being disrespectful, you seem somewhat uneducated on surface protection. Many people on this forum are detailers, and to them, they strive perfection on their surface. You seem like a dedicated car owner who likes a clean ride, but surface perfection isn't necessarly a priority for you.

If surface imperfections (swirls, ect) do not bother you, then you should be fine just using a dedicated car soap and washing every couple weeks and waxing 4x yearly. This may seem like a lot, but proper car care isn't necessarly easy. Waxing takes a tops of an hour, which is really nothing. I spend 8-10 hours on my car 4 times a year, and a usually 5-12 hours on a customers car. I think the 4 hours a year it would take you to wax your vehicle would be cheap insurance.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2409

here is a good thread to get you started

[grover]

I think I'm getting a little confused because of the terminology. Here's what I go by which is what Meguiar's has taught me about terminology.

Meguiars Paint Care

EDIT: D'oh. Sorry TH0001, I just saw that you already posted that link.

[TH0001]

np grover, you can buy me a beer on Sunday and I'll forgive you.

[Terry in NC]

Thanks for the link. Yes, I'm from the old school who identifies polishing with light compounding.
You got me pegged exactly right. Well, maybe not exactly: I might get around to "waxing" twice a year, never 4x. And my interest is in maintaining the paint; shine is nice but secondary. I drive my cars over 10 years and don't like selling them because they need repainted.
Didn't and don't mean to offend any of you folks who do this for a living or have a real pride in show finishes. Claying is not known to the general public (us Walmart shoppers) and I came to you for a little special advice, which I got. Thanks for your time & concern. Hope I didn't raise any blood pressures in the process.

[grover]

I used to be a frequent washer but only waxed my cars maybe once a year. Then I had an oxidation problem and found the Meguiars products. The first time I did the Deep Crystal system, 1, 2 & 3, I became an enthusiast! I can't get enough of the stuff. My 5 year old daily driver family sedan is definitely no show car, but I get asked about my new car alot! People don't believe me when I tell them it's 5 years old.

Maybe you'll get bitten by the bug too!

[TH0001]

I No blood pressure problems at all. Best of luck reachings the goals you are looking for.

Here is my theroy, and you may or maynot agree, but here it is(My view is not approved or supported by Meguiars )...

NuFinish, and other products that have been on informericals don't really care about the quality of protection or level of shine you have on your car. They care about making money and marketing a product to you. I feel this way about many companines who aren't care enuthastis and only sell consumer products. You=money for them, nothing more, nothing less.

Meguiars and other compaines that cater to both the detailer market (professional) have a passion for things automotive. They would rather be honest about their product (Meguiars makes great waxes, but recommends two coats and recommends a minumium of 4 times a year I believe). They might loose that NuFinish "the once a year" market, but instead generate a strong following with passionate do-it-yourselfers and the professional line.

To check if your car needs to be clayed, you can but your hand inside a plasit sandwich wrap and drag it lightly across the surface. The surface should be smooth and free of texture. If it feels "grainy" then its time to clay it.

When you do clay it you are stripping off wax, or atleast thinning it to the point of needing reapplication.

Check out the extreme makeovers section on this forum. Maybe that will addict you, and if not, you wll get some passing knowledge.

[TH0001]

grover, what about my beer?