My first clay bar work

[WaspHunter]

Alright, so I finally found a store that stocked clay the other day, and I decided I'd try it on the white overspray that had appeared on my car.



And the O/S:

[sneek]

good luck and take lots of pics

[WaspHunter]

This is called "Having a moment"


Luckily I had just managed to get the ends opened. I put the camera down after that happened.

SInce I was just working on the overspray today, and not the whole car, I cut the clay bar in half (while it was still in the plastic with a bread knife).

[WaspHunter]

sneek - thanks, I'm actually finished. You're reply came through as I was writing the rest of the article. I'm just dividing it up because its what Mike does, and I'm sure he has a good reason for it.

This is me claying the hard to reach areas:



It later occured to me that I could have just opened the bonnet. With the bonnet and the rear window I pancaked the clay.

My method invovled spraying some QD and rubbing the clay with little/no pressure until it just began to get grabby. I also tested QD only, and another product called Polyglaze Waterless Wash (basically QD, but blue liquid) just to compare results. Since I'm about to get a DA and do a full detail I wasn't too worried about putting minor marks on the CC.

Being an incredibly smart Aerospace Engineering Student, I also tested just what would happen if I kept working the clay when the QD had gone dry. On the bonnet.

Sigh of relief when some QD removed the clay marks

[sneek]

opps..sry glad to see it worked out for you

[WaspHunter]

End results:







Against the QD and Waterless only, I was impressed. Just using the detailers did melt some of the sprayed areas, but some the parts that remained did leave micro-scars. The clayed paintwork was just as swirly as it was pre-overspray, and no new scratches were visible under direct sunlight or halogen.

When I do the DA job on the car I'll come back with some more claying pixies. There was a link here that mentioned using one of the meguiars washes to lubricate the clay and save a bit of money, and the guys at Autosalon Magazine Australia have actually got an article on claying where they've mentioned testing the clay in wash solution and not having it break down. So my next experiment would be to try claying straight after a wash, pre-rinse, and also putting some wash mix in a spray bottle and trying that as a replacement for QD.

My only real gripe with the clay job today was that the packet is a bit fiddly to open, and that its not resealable, so you need some zip-lock bags post-use. The clay itself and the process are flawless IMO, and my bonnet is "smooth as glass", as advertised. My rear window is "smooth as glass" too, although I shouldn't expect any less

That is all.

[gb387]

Great write up!

What would we do with out clay!

I have clayed with Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo/water and didn't care for it as a claying lubricant, just didn't seem to glide over the surface like calying with a QD'er.

[Bell]

looks good!

Just used the clay bar today for the first time myself, and was very impressed by it.

[Ciscoford23]

Good write up..I just used clay for the first time today on my late father-in-laws 1979 Mercedes. My wife and I were very impressed. I couldn't believe how much contamination it pulled up. Even after a thorough wash with GC. Very impressed.

[Murr1525]

Looks good...

It is good to remember that you can clay paint, windows, trim, wheels.. even your toaster...

Just never bring anything from wheels/metal trim back onto your paint.

[JG_Detailing]

Can the clay be used on the trim on the outside of the vehicle.

[WaspHunter]

I don't see why not, its not "sticky" as such. If you've ever used with play-do (its a common analogy) it collects dirt like that - ie the piece thats sticking out above the clay gets caught by it and kinda gets sucked into it. At least thats what I can gather since all of the larger objects that I clay off and need to pull out are actually a bit beneath the clay surface.

I'm assuming you're worried about rubber trim? If you'll look at one of the pics above I'm actually claying the headlight seal. I'll hit the light with a bucket of water next wash and check behind it if you'd like.

[PaintPolisher]

Hi Folks,
Short story on claying trim, a satisfied client and a tip for those of us that sometimes get messy.
I just finished claying a 98 Honda CRV Bright Red with grey trim,
grey bumpers, black door handles and black exterior wheel cover this past weekend.
I first attempted on the bottom of the rocker panel [out of sight lines] and then did the tip test and was satisfied. So away I went to complete the five remaining steps to a great finish. Now no nubbies on the front bumper area and the black side mirrors where you could really feel the nubbies before claying and without have great sensitivity in your tips. All parts really look outstanding now. Again Meguiar’s products carry the day and I have a client who easily will tell a dozen people about the before and after of her trim and then convince them to call me right away to help with theirs. What a great sentence [I am smiling about now]. The best part was when picking up her car she actually went to the front of the bumper to feel for nubbies and with a clear voice called out to her girlfriend to come over and feel her smooth… True story and I couldn’t make this one up. We were all busting a gut laughing at what she actually said and then we all realized what she said. This girl has a great smile. Helping others that do not what they do not know is great when they understand why and what has been done to their vehicle and to their new sense of pride. I create parking lot envy.
Tip of the month.
Use a Meguiar's Microfiber sponge and wear gloves [I use nitrile gloves no powder].
Spray #34 Final Inspection or you can use Exterior Quik Detailer onto the Microfiber sponge to control your usage of product and most important for my clay application was to control product lubricity on areas I wanted to work specifically on. Claying can be fun if you don’t make it feel like work and have clients like mine.
Have a great day!

[jumpmanmb87]

Hey, what store did you get the clay AT??

[Murr1525]

Absolutley, clay everything. The clay wont stick to gaskets, that sort of thing, and pull them out.

To go with what IBstoney said, I dont bother drying after washing, just hose off. Then I justt spray QD on the car directly, but after working a panel or two, depending on temperatures, I will hose off, so the QD doesnt dry on. Not that I think it would stain or anything, but I just keep the car wet. Then do a final hose off and dry when all claying is done. Keep in mind, I am at home, with no water restrictions.

As for buying clay, if you want Meguiars, good luck. You'll probably end up ordering it from Meguiars, or AutoDetailingSolutions.com. But thats ok, ADS has a nice sale on microfiber cloths, etc.. Pick up some clay, some Water Magnets, Supreme Shines, you're set.

At least till the next shopping urge kicks in...