1st time using clay
#1
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1st time using clay
Hey guys today was the first i ever used a clay bar kit. The order i did was to wash, clay, rewash, and wax. My ?? is it didn't take everything off i thought it would. Does this mean i did it incorrectly or i just need a good buff job from someone who can do it because i would never try it. I don't want to mess up my paint.
here are some pics, the camera wasn't that great tho, and i suck at taking good pics.
Feel free to give any comments as well (good or bad)
here are some pics, the camera wasn't that great tho, and i suck at taking good pics.
Feel free to give any comments as well (good or bad)
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lower the exposure on your camera. that will make the pictures not so bright. Cant really see the paint well at all in those. As far as clay goes. . . i mean it is what it is. theres different hardness levels, but you cant really mess it up. Clay is used for getting the paint physically smooth. ex: sap, tar and other things a normal wash wont get off.
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Hey guys today was the first i ever used a clay bar kit. The order i did was to wash, clay, rewash, and wax. My ?? is it didn't take everything off i thought it would. Does this mean i did it incorrectly or i just need a good buff job from someone who can do it because i would never try it. I don't want to mess up my paint.
here are some pics, the camera wasn't that great tho, and i suck at taking good pics.
Feel free to give any comments as well (good or bad)
here are some pics, the camera wasn't that great tho, and i suck at taking good pics.
Feel free to give any comments as well (good or bad)
Last edited by JOHNNY C; 09-15-2009 at 11:10 PM.
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i tried the clay bar for the first time last time i washed my car too, it kinda disappointed me i was really hoping it would do more visually but i also think nothing can beat a good buff from an electric buffer
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Yeah thats what my car needs i guess. I was looking up the ultimate compound by Meguiars that someone said about above. Anyone have experience with this product i watched the mini clip on it. It can be applied by hand or buffer but i don't see this working as well as a real compound with a good buffer.
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Yeah thats what my car needs i guess. I was looking up the ultimate compound by Meguiars that someone said about above. Anyone have experience with this product i watched the mini clip on it. It can be applied by hand or buffer but i don't see this working as well as a real compound with a good buffer.
#9
3m is the best type of compounds/glazes and it's recommended that you use clay to remove all fall out on a car before you take wool pads or foam pads to your car just so you get that higher gloss.
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if you have a buffer then use meguires m205 or optimum compound...
if you dont just wax it with a heavy carnuba and maybe fill in those scratches but the only way to truely remove them is with a buffer and experience
if you dont just wax it with a heavy carnuba and maybe fill in those scratches but the only way to truely remove them is with a buffer and experience
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Clay will only take off surface debris or fallout. It doesnt enhance shine per say(polishing) only smoothness of finish. It will allow the polisher to get a nice smooth service to work on. To remove scratches and water spots you would need to polish the surface and then wax to protect it.
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Yeah thats what my car needs i guess. I was looking up the ultimate compound by Meguiars that someone said about above. Anyone have experience with this product i watched the mini clip on it. It can be applied by hand or buffer but i don't see this working as well as a real compound with a good buffer.
Outta curiosity, are you going to PSU altoona? I feel like I saw your car on/near campus once.
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Yeah thats what my car needs i guess. I was looking up the ultimate compound by Meguiars that someone said about above. Anyone have experience with this product i watched the mini clip on it. It can be applied by hand or buffer but i don't see this working as well as a real compound with a good buffer.
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To the OP - I think most of the clay bar kits bought commercially are a complete joke honestly ( by store bought I mean like at auto zone ect. ) . Its hard to get good result because the grade of clay in the commercial stuff is on the safe side probably for people who dont know how to use it . It will make your paint smooth but u really gotta work it to get tar stains out ect . So its likely not your method . When it comes to getting tar marks off , I struggle with commercial clay ( meguires u buy at like auto zone , eagle ect . ) Next time step up to better grade of clay and you will get results . Im really happy with Meguires Mild ( blue bar ) bar in their proffessional series of products . Its does almost nething I need it to with 1/2 the work of the store bought stuff . On the proffessional side stick with the mild bars , the more aggressive bars WILL leave marks . Use soapy water with good carwash soap as a lubricant .
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I'm going to quote a guy from another forum,
"Detailing a white car is like farting in the shower, only you know what you have done."
It's a good job though. I love the white Cobalt's.
"Detailing a white car is like farting in the shower, only you know what you have done."
It's a good job though. I love the white Cobalt's.
Last edited by Karlen89; 10-01-2009 at 09:50 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#22
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If you plan to wax the whole car after all this wash the car with dish soap. That will pull allot of the old wax off and give you a better starting point with the clay bar. If you have anymore questions let me know and I along with others will help as much as possible.
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Far as buffing, a good cutting compound is tec565. It's a technician's choice brand that is good for swirl removing (not an issue on a white car) but it is also good for a heavy cutting compound. I have a certification through Valugard for buffing... Stick with your gut feeling and only let someone you trust/has proper training buff... you don't want to personally burn your paint off or have some schmuck do it for you that doesn't have experience. A great finishing/polishing compound is this http://www.valugard.net/store/p-21-f...er-polish.aspx. If you're ever up my way I can help you personally.
#24
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BAD IDEA!!!! Dish washing soap will take off some old wax but I'd never do that. Car washes stress that there is a difference between "soap" and "shampoo". Soap dehydrates; shampoo cleans. I work at a car wash and the difference is monumental. With a clay bar the best way to go is to wash, then use a lubricant like a simple green for the area you are working on. Keep the area well lubricated and work over the debris with the clay until it comes smooth. I have a lot of experience with this kind of clay and I've seen it work wonders. http://www.valugard.net/store/p-35-p...tion-clay.aspx
Far as buffing, a good cutting compound is tec565. It's a technician's choice brand that is good for swirl removing (not an issue on a white car) but it is also good for a heavy cutting compound. I have a certification through Valugard for buffing... Stick with your gut feeling and only let someone you trust/has proper training buff... you don't want to personally burn your paint off or have some schmuck do it for you that doesn't have experience. A great finishing/polishing compound is this http://www.valugard.net/store/p-21-f...er-polish.aspx. If you're ever up my way I can help you personally.
Far as buffing, a good cutting compound is tec565. It's a technician's choice brand that is good for swirl removing (not an issue on a white car) but it is also good for a heavy cutting compound. I have a certification through Valugard for buffing... Stick with your gut feeling and only let someone you trust/has proper training buff... you don't want to personally burn your paint off or have some schmuck do it for you that doesn't have experience. A great finishing/polishing compound is this http://www.valugard.net/store/p-21-f...er-polish.aspx. If you're ever up my way I can help you personally.
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Nelson - Ultimately everyone has their own methods ...if what your doing works for you ....great ! . I just dont agree when someone doesnt like a particular method and will spread the word about it as being bad . Even a well respected company like Zaino recommends you thouroughly wash down your car with Dawn before applying their products . I keep mentioning Dawn( the original not the super concentrated ) because it is a very mild soap soap in comparison to most others .