Claying

[Mr. T]

Anyone out there have any experience claying there car? I've recently notice some contaminates on the car that don't come off when I wash.

Any brand that works really well or any tips/tricks to keep in mind would be greatly appreciated

[Rockpick]

Mr. T:

It sounds like you're certainly attempting to pursue the right course of action to remove the stuck on contamination on your paint.

Clay is a great way to remove such contaminants that you've described....

Claying is very simple but, does require patience. My personal technique involves a great detailer product like Meguiar's Quick Detailer (available just about everywhere that sells car care stuff), a clay bar (I use Meguiar's Body Shop Clay), a few MF towels, and some elbow grease.

First, a couple of hints that I've found to be VERY beneficial.

1) Cut your clay bar into two pieces using a straight blade or similar. Do this because the clay is expensive and because if you drop the clay on the ground, it's trash. Do not risk picking up a small grain of sand and dragging it back and forth across your paint with the clay bar. It's painful to toss it but, I've done it a few times. You can do ALOT of damage with a single grain of sand stuck in the clay.

2) Knead the clay often. Do a few passes and then wad it up into a ball in your hand and knead it back out. This will make it such that a new surface is touching your paint frequently lessening the possiblity of you marring your paint.

3) Pay VERY close attention to what your doing and inspect the clay often. If you see a bunch of 'goop ' in your clay, try to pick it out with your clean fingernails and then re-knead the clay.

Okay... let's clay!

Of course, you'll want to wash the vehicle to remove all surficial dirt prior to clay....

Start by finding the places on your vehicle where the finish doesn't feel like glass. That 'stuck on' stuff is what we're going to remove. Work in small sections. Spray the QD spray down generously over a small area and then work the clay bar in a 'back and forth' motion. Let the clay glide over the surface and apply VERY VERY VERY little downward pressure. The clay, itself, willdo the work.

-->Sidenote: Meguiar's makes a kit that you can buy... it has both the QD and clay in one box. CLICK HERE FOR THE QUICK CLAY DETAILING SYSTEM

You may notice that the clay 'smears' slightly and this is normal. To curtail this happening frequently, you may wish to add a little more QD.

Repeat over the areas that don't feel like glass. You'll notice that after you've completed a certain area and wipe it down with a high-pile 100% cotton terry towel or nice microfiber towel (like Meguiar's Ultimate Wipe), that the paint will feel VERY slick and pleasant to touch.

You're not done.

You'll want to complete your day by utilizing a nice polish to remove any swirls or slight scuffs that you've caused by claying. This is a very simple process as well and I think you'll have great luck with a product like Meguiar's #9 or something with a similar cut (this may vary depending on your paint's condition--you might require something more agressive).

Finish your work with a coat of a quality sealant or wax. The new Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax is a sure-fire hit with those who have tried it. If you don't have Tech Wax or can't find it at the store (check www.meguiars.com as well!), you can final top with Meguiar's #26 Carnauba. Either will add a nice luster with great durability (the carnauba won't last as long however... reapplication may be needed sooner than the NXT). That QD that you used to clay can be used here again. Go back over the entire vehicle with the QD and bring it to a great shine!

I may have missed a small step or two in there but, overall, I think I covered the best part of it. If you have further questions, please feel free to drop me an email or, preferrably, post a question here so that everyone can have a stab at trying to help you solve your issues!

RP

[Aurora40]

Originally posted by Rockpick
You may notice that the clay 'smears' slightly and this is normal. To curtail this happening frequently, you may wish to add a little more QD.

Yes, this is normal... Normal for Meguiar's Quik Clay, that is... I'm not a big fan of that stuff. You can do a great job if you are very careful, but it's real easy to get clay streaks that are quite difficult to remove. Liberal application of QD is a must.

IMO, the Detailer line clay is far superior. It is very easy to use and leaves nothing behind on the paint. Your hands are a different matter. The Detailer clay leaves a ton behind on your fingers and it is really messy. Then you get it all over the QD bottle and your MF towels and everything you touch... But the car will look great.

I'd personally recommend Clay Magic. It is almost as residue free as the Detailer clay, but doesn't leave anything on your fingers. It's very easy to use. Plus, you can get it locally and in a nice kit with some lube.

[Don]

RP, I hope you don't mind, but I made a few suggestions/changes to your advice (in red) that I think might work a little better...no offense intended

Originally posted by Rockpick


First, a couple of hints that I've found to be VERY beneficial.

1) Cut your clay bar into at least two pieces, you don't need a big chunk using a straight blade or similar. Do this because the clay is expensive and because if you drop the clay on the ground, it's trash. Do not risk picking up a small grain of sand and dragging it back and forth across your paint with the clay bar. It's painful to toss it but, I've done it a few times. You can do ALOT of damage with a single grain of sand stuck in the clay.

2) Knead the clay often. Do a few passes and then FOLD the dirty side IN, then reflatten the lump, this keeps the crud pulled from the paint surrounded by the clay and away from the paint. Simply kneeding the clay spreads the contaminates throughout the clay, shortening it's life. This will make it such that a new surface is touching your paint frequently lessening the possiblity of you marring your paint.

[Rockpick]

Great advice guys... I don't mind a bit. That's what these message boards are for... to collaborate ideas and techniques so that we all can benefit!

I do, however, like the QuikClay and haven't really had the copius amounts of smear as mentioned but, I'm sure everyone has had a different spin with the stuff.... The Body Shop Clay, for me, has been the best I've used...

I've yet to try the Detailer's Clay as I still have one full brick of Body Shop clay to spin through but, my local distributor sells the Detailer's so, that'll be my next try....

I did try Clay Magic once (early on) and dropped the bar within like 5 minutes of trying it and actually stepped on it when I did it... thus, I chucked it. That was painful...



Great additions there guys!

RP

[Don]

I've used both the Quik Clay and the Clay Magic. I did get some horrendous smears with the QC that were a pain to get off (grab some polish) but it worked well otherwise and the CM seem to work really well, and it's 'smearless.' Maybe it was just me

[Mr. T]

I've heard similar things about quick clay smearing. Haven't used any clay products before. I haven't been able to find the quick clay kit in my area I did find a kit by mothers, not sure yet if I'm going to try that out or order the QC kit online.

The only polish that I have now is the deep crystal polish. I do have the cleaner wax as well as Gold class Wax. My car isn't even a year old so its in very good shape, just trying to keep it that way.

I'll have to pick up some of those Ultimate Wipes as well.

Thanks to all for the great tips.

[Rockpick]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

RP----Great write-up!!

Thanks Tim.... just doing my share for the forum.

RP