Untill I got my B, I never washed my old truck. Nothing could help it. But I see the new comercial about using a "clay" product to prep the surface for waxing. I then saw a post here where someone does that as well. Can someone tell me what the deal is with the clay? How often do you do it? I'm lost here. Little help please.

 

I did it the first day I got my car lol. Dirt settles and impregnates itself into the microsurface of your paint and pretty much doesnt come out with normal washing and waxing. I try to do it at least twice a year. Pretty much after winter and before to seal it up from the harshness to come. If you ever notice some marks (oxidation, tar, etc.) on your paint that dont seem to come out when you scrub with your sponge, rest assured a claybar will take them out and put a smile on your face. A way to test if a surface is free of "microdirt" is to take some cellophane and rub your finger over the surface with the cellophane in between and you'll feel the grittiness if it needs claybarring. Depending on how dirty it is depends on what kind of kit you'll use. Normally a off the shelf kit will work pretty well but for my roof I find that a more coarse claybar would be needed as I have to go over it several times to get it smooth. All in all this process is very important for the life and appearance of your paint finish. You'll be so happy with the results. Its easier than waxing in my opinion but the thing is you have to also wax the car right after... hehe. Best of luck!

 

would it be ok to use a rubbing compound in some areas to get rid of scratchs and swirl marks before you clay?

 

I would use a rubbing compound after you clay.

 

Great info, thanks. I may do that this weekend. Will have to take it to the shop to get it out of direct sun for what sounds like a couple of hours of work.

 

the clay will strip all the dirt, gunk, and wax off the finish.
wash, then clay, then rince, then wax, then sealer, then polish = better then showroom finish.

just be sure to wax and seal after you clay bar.

 

it is time consuming, but well worth the time

 

Dang-it, there's always something new. OK, what's this sealer after the wax? I get the clay, I get the wax, but I have never heard of a sealer after the wax. I feel so old.

I can say this..... I have always thought my paint felt rough. Even after cleaning it and all it still is not smooth or slick like it should be.

 

wait i just realized your name is RC-pilot....do you fly rc planes too?

 

So polish is used last? I thought it was used after claying and then you wax and seal?

 

no polish is always the last step whether you clay or not!

 

Word Ive never used it thats why I asked. Good to know, thanks!

 

Yep, been at it for 22 years now. It's my first love/sickness. The B is my second one.

OK, so clean, clay, way, seal, polish. What sealer & what polish? Never heard of them before.

 

watching

 

What do you fly, I havnt flown in two years but I used to fly 3D!

 

^^moved it to the private message area.

So what's up with the sealer?

 

This sounds right. I dont know about the rinse and sealer part but it sounds good.

1. wash
2. clay
3. prep, Meguiars m1103 good stuff.
4. polish
5. wax
6. enjoy

Claying is one of the most essential parts to detailing your ride. It does what washing can not do. Feel the surface, if it feels sandy and rough..you need to clay. After you clay one area, feel the area again for roughness. It should feel as smooth as butter. It took me around 48 hours to completely detail my ride. I took every swirl mark out with the m1103 and DA polisher.

 

Ain't polish and wax the same?

 

Far from the same. Polish contains nutrients for your paint, wax is what seals all the nutrients onto your paint and acts as a thin layer that protects your paint from oxidation.

 

watching