to clay or not to clay??....THAT is the question.

[n8te81]

ok so before i do my big waxing job this weeknd on my car since its been like 9 months.....should i go buy the mequiars clay kit and use that before i do the wax???. Ive never used clay before and im just trying to get my black paint tip top again...So anything else i should do that im forgetting here?, i just dont wanna wax it and it look just ok i wanna do the prep thats needed to make my black paint BLING again......lol...after the clay job does it have any affects of the wax going on better or looking better or anything like that???

[Steve02SLT]

claying is very important. it will remove any environmental fallout, rail dust, or any other contaminants. you might not notice the difference since its black, but when you're done claying a panel, you will definitaly see junk on the clay, that used to be attached to your paint, eating away at it...

[n8te81]

what else can i do that will bring my black paint more to life besides the wax and clay??I mean usually when i do it i just wax with whatever and thats it,but my black is getting dull now and i need something thats gonna get it back to factory black.

[F-150]

Re: to clay or not to clay??....THAT is the question.

Originally posted by n8te81
ok so before i do my big waxing job this weeknd on my car since its been like 9 months.....should i go buy the mequiars clay kit and use that before i do the wax???. Ive never used clay before and im just trying to get my black paint tip top again...So anything else i should do that im forgetting here?, i just dont wanna wax it and it look just ok i wanna do the prep thats needed to make my black paint BLING again......lol...after the clay job does it have any affects of the wax going on better or looking better or anything like that???

You should definately clay your whole car. It'll enhance the appearance and remove bonded contaminants. The smoother the surface, the glossier the finish and the easier to apply wax and use a detail spray, and assuming you're using hand applied products, you got a black car, a pure polish will definately work well for you, like DC2. And if you have any scratches or swirl marks are are extremely noticable in black clear coats, use scratch X. Plus I'd recommend Gold Class car wax.
So just follow these easy steps:
wash
clay
(use scratch X or a paint cleaner if needed)
polish
wax

[n8te81]

i do have the scratch X somewhere around here i just need to find it.....i didnt know that people used that on the WHOLE car i just thought it was for certain areas.I might have to go buy some more if i cant find it.I have this new wax called royal blue from a smaller company that my friend gave me that im gonna try out and see how good it is,and yes i have ALOT i mean ALOT of fine scratches and swirls that i wanna get rid of.Thats why i came on here cause i couldnt think of anywhere else better to ask for paint care then here.

[n8te81]

o yeah and i have a crapload of NXT tech wax in the garage but im thinkin i need something alittle more potent then that,isnt that stuff kinda like a in between major jobs like i need kinda wax???

[F-150]

I don't quite understand what you meant by "kinda like a in between major jobs like i need kinda wax". But if you plan on keeping your car detailed regulary or just like to restore it to a show car shine. I'd recommend investing into a G100 DA polisher. With #80 Speed Glaze for all fine scratches and swirls It'll make removing them a breeze and more fun to use than Scratch X.

[n8te81]

well ive been wanting to get either one of those or the porter cable buffers but i havent had the money to get either.... thats why im still debating on if i should set some money aside for one or just put some elbow work into it and stick with my hands....(and sorry about you not understanding that i couldnt think of a way to say it)....it was kinda a DE DE DE!! thing to say.

[n8te81]

do all clay kits come with lubrication??...if not what all can you use for that??

[Murr1525]

Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay comes with lubrication. It is just the regular QD.

Meguiars Quick Clay was the same.

If you buy the Pro-line Detailer Clays, that is just clay. You would need to buy either the QD, or another lubricant like Final Inspection, etc.

[F-150]

Originally posted by n8te81
do all clay kits come with lubrication??...if not what all can you use for that??

To my knowledge all clay "kits" come with detailing spray. But I'm highly recommend the smooth surface kit. Although I don't think 1 bottle is enough spray for a whole vehicle. I use at least 2-3 on full size sedans and 3-4 on full size trucks. You should look into getting the 32oz quick detailer, it'll save you $ unless you want to get a gallon of final inspection or last touch.

[n8te81]

ok thanks for all the help guys so far.... im pretty sure that the autozone down the street has all this stuff so ill have to take a look.....I just wanted to know cause this job is gonna be BIG seeing that its black plus ive never clayed it before and only waxed it a total of three or four times since i got the car in 2001.

IT NEEDS SOME HELP