Novice Impressions of Claying

[MagneticA]

I have a brand new car that looks amazing. Even when I touch it with my bare hands it feels like really smooth.Then I read up on claying so I put my hand in a baggie and feel it. I feel tons of little bumps. Because of this now in the back of my head it doesn't look as good... even though it still actually does. So I give the clay bar a try.

First of all, everyone says "If you drop the clay, throw it away." And I'm thinking "Why would I drop it?" Well, five minutes in I dropped it. Thankfully I had ripped it into smaller pieces. Some people say it'll take about 30 - 60 minutes. Well, 2 hours later I stopped. I lubricated very well and did the car from top to bottom - meaning the whole car, windows and all... minus the wheels (guess I didn't technically do it all).

Before and after - I still have a brand new car that looks amazing. I don't feel as many little bumps, quite a bit fewer, but a few remain. Can I tell such a difference that I think it was worth two hours? Not to the naked eye or finger, but when wrapped in plastic my fingers could tell.

I actually enjoyed the experience, however. This was a great way to really get to know all the lines and curves on this car. She is one beautiful machine.

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[activeGT]

So the little lady isn't giving you any, huh?

I have a brand new car that looks amazing. Even when I touch it with my bare hands it feels like really smooth.Then I read up on claying so I put my hand in a baggie and feel it. I feel tons of little bumps. Because of this now in the back of my head it doesn't look as good... even though it still actually does. So I give the clay bar a try.

First of all, everyone says "If you drop the clay, throw it away." And I'm thinking "Why would I drop it?" Well, five minutes in I dropped it. Thankfully I had ripped it into smaller pieces. Some people say it'll take about 30 - 60 minutes. Well, 2 hours later I stopped. I lubricated very well and did the car from top to bottom - meaning the whole car, windows and all... minus the wheels (guess I didn't technically do it all).

Before and after - I still have a brand new car that looks amazing. I don't feel as many little bumps, quite a bit fewer, but a few remain. Can I tell such a difference that I think it was worth two hours? Not to the naked eye or finger, but when wrapped in plastic my fingers could tell.

I actually enjoyed the experience, however. This was a great way to really get to know all the lines and curves on this car. She is one beautiful machine.

 

[Steve44]

I am pretty sure I will be doing the same thing when I get my new car. Did you also end up sealing it after the clay bar? Important step as your paint is "exposed" right now.

 

[Endokendal]

So the little lady isn't giving you any, huh?

:clap2:

 

[Endokendal]

So the little lady isn't giving you any, huh?

Thanks for the write up. I've never done it before either and am awaiting delivery of all the new detailing supplies I bought, including clay bar, so I'll be giving it a go as well. Good to know it takes longer than expected.

 

[MagneticA]

I am pretty sure I will be doing the same thing when I get my new car. Did you also end up sealing it after the clay bar? Important step as your paint is "exposed" right now.

Yes, she is sealed and buffed. I had run out of elbow grease though, so I took her to a local car wash where I got the red-carpet-treatment for those services. People treat you well when you're driving this car!

 

[CompOrangeGT]

Yes, she is sealed and buffed. I had run out of elbow grease though, so I took her to a local car wash where I got the red-carpet-treatment for those services. People treat you well when you're driving this car!

I keep seeing people mention "sealing" their car, if you don't mind me asking how is this different than waxing your car? I plan on clay barring my car after I get it as well, so will a carnauba wax be good afterwords, or do I need to do anything else, or extra? :shrug: Thanks!

 

[Nitro]

2 hours to clay? you really took your time.

 

[activeGT]

2 hours to clay? you really took your time.

It sounded like a lot of foreplay first.....

 

[MagneticA]

2 hours to clay? you really took your time.

No sense rushing through your first time.

 

[MagneticA]

I keep seeing people mention "sealing" their car, if you don't mind me asking how is this different than waxing your car? I plan on clay barring my car after I get it as well, so will a carnauba wax be good afterwords, or do I need to do anything else, or extra? :shrug: Thanks!

Sealant bonds to your paint and protects it from the elements from anywhere to 3 up to 12 months.

Wax will bead water better, give your car a better shine and can even protect the paint better than sealant. Wax, however does not last as long. Anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks.

If you enjoy waxing and are able to do it regularly, that'll be plenty protection. Some people like to have both sealant and wax protection for peace of mind. I think I also read somewhere that extra coats of protection can enhance the gloss.

 

[L8APEX]

You should try Iron-X

 

[Sixer]

anyone know of or used this:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"RejeX is a thin-film polymer coating, used instead of wax or polish, [/FONT]to provide the ultimate, durable high-gloss protective finish for vehicles
of all types." http://rejex.com/​

 

[njarmstrong]

I keep seeing people mention "sealing" their car, if you don't mind me asking how is this different than waxing your car? I plan on clay barring my car after I get it as well, so will a carnauba wax be good afterwords, or do I need to do anything else, or extra? :shrug: Thanks!

Sealing is a last step procedure, regardless of if you are using a wax, sealant, or coating. All do different things, have different life spans, and different methods of application.

I used to always use wax, really enjoyed the process. After moving to coatings I use them exclusively now. Bit more prep time, but the long term benefits are worth it. I did my last car with Cquartz - lasted 1.5 years. Topped it up with their reload product twice during that period. So much easier to clean, dirt slides off during the wash step.

 

[opensesame]

Sealant bonds to your paint and protects it from the elements from anywhere to 3 up to 12 months.

Wax will bead water better, give your car a better shine and can even protect the paint better than sealant. Wax, however does not last as long. Anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks.

If you enjoy waxing and are able to do it regularly, that'll be plenty protection. Some people like to have both sealant and wax protection for peace of mind. I think I also read somewhere that extra coats of protection can enhance the gloss.

Have you tried Collite 845? The wax lasts over 4 months, and nothing but positive reviews. The best part, it only cost $19 a bottle.

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