If you don't claybar, then what?

[Wraythe]

My wife and I surprised our son last week with a car (Audi 4000cs) for his 16th birthday. The car is a old (1986) but is in excellent condition inside and out. I want to detail the car with him but I have a question (yes - I searched).

Due to time and the age of the paint, I do not want to claybar the entire car (big car). After the car has been washed and dried, the paint has some shine. What Meguiars product would be best to use with a P.C.7424? All the Meguiars products I have are for newer vehicles.

Any positive comments are welcomed

[roushstage2]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

If you don't clay, you just move onto the next step. The newer products still work great on older vehicles too. Don't worry about that!

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Working with the Dual Action Polisher/PC/G-100/DA
Using the G-100 to Remove Swirls with the Professional Line
The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"
PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
Will I notice a difference if I use the G-100
Cutting Pads with the PC - Good idea?
Problems and Solutions when using the G100/PC Dual Action Polisher
Cleaning Your Pad on the Fly
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer
How much paint are you removing.
Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher
Meguiar’s G-100, G-100A - Recommended Products, Pads and Speeds

[Wraythe]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

If you don't clay, you just move onto the next step.

What Meguiars product do you recommend so I can purchase?

[the other pc]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

Sorry if this isn’t positive, but: If you don't claybar, then ....... you’ll continue to have bonded contaminants on your paint.

If it hasn’t been clayed in 22 years it’s likely to have an awful lot of contaminants.

...Due to time and the age of the paint, I do not want to claybar the entire car ...

I’m not clear on the logic here. Claying doesn’t really take very long. (And it doesn’t take you any work when you have a 16 y/o to do it. ). The age of the paint doesn’t matter.


PC.

[Murr1525]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

Yeah, claying really is the easiest step with the biggest results.

[Ryan L.]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

I agree with others...claying should be the first thing you do. No matter how big your car is, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes (that's if it has a lot of contaminants) and if you get your son out there it should take 10-15 minutes.

Ryan

[Mike Phillips]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

If you don't want to clay the paint and want to keep your time and effort minimized into the paint polishing process, then the best product for you to use will be our ColorX which can be found at just about any store, Autozone, Pep Boys, Kragen, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

This is a strong cleaner/wax that will work great with your PC

Use a polishing pad on the 5.0 speed setting and work a small section at at time to keep plenty of the diminishing abrasives and chemical cleaners focused on the area you're buffing.

Overlap your sections. - Let the wax fully dry before wiping off.

Don't get this wax on any plastic or rubber trim if this car has trim like this than either be careful or tape this type of trim off with painters tape.

Claying is really the first best thing you can do but to answer your question as you framed it...

ColorX

[Mr Mustang]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

To me, claying is just as important of a step, it certainly provides the quickest evidence that what you're doing is working

[Joenok]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

yeah, and a classic Audi, so please post pics!

[Nappers]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

Clay it. When I clayed my "why should I clay it" '05 Dodge Neon when it was new, I removed a ton of rail debris and overspray from the factory, when I was done it was smooth as a babies rump.

Claying is very easy.

I am not familiar with history of paints, but see if it's a single stage paint or base/clear coat paint (sorry don't know the cut off years or brands).

Post what you have in your possesion would be helpful (product wise).

And.....post some pix when your done.

Aaron

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

I also think that claying would be very beneficial to your Audi. You will be amazed at how much this simple step adds to the car. A simple step with big results.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

I always clay. If I want to save time, I break out the cleaner wax.

[Poki]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

I am a newby to this forum and have found the info. to be right on! I just completed my first detail using a new G110 and Megs products. I too was not eager to clay..having never done it and reading posts on problems others had. The claying was the easiest part of the job!!!! Quick and foolproof if you use plenty of lubricant....fantastic results!

[3Fitty]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

Wraythe,

I don't know if you'v ever clayed before and I know it can be tedious on a larger vehicle but I think not only is it essential for proper prep, but there is nothing (IMHO) that makes a car feel better than a good clay job.

[Blake Beamish]

Re: If you don't claybar, then what?

I will agree with everything being said; the claying process is quite simply/easy.

I can only imagine how rough the paint on the Audi must feel after all those years. You must remember, all of the products are made to work on paint not on bonded dirt so every product that you use will not work as well as they should. The cleaning step is the most important step and should not be over looked.