Set me on the right path

[A Polite Canadian]

Hey all,

I should be picking up my Magnetic GT in a week or two. I went out today and bought some cleaning supplies:

Meguiars Gold Class car wash
Meguiars Clay bar kit
Meguiars Ultimate Wax kit

To preface, I asked the dealership not to detail the car when it gets in so I can do it myself. I'm not one of those balls-to-the-walls spend 8 hours a day cleaning my car type, but I, like most other, appreciate when the car looks spotless.

My game plan when i get her home is to:

Wash the car
Clay bar
Wash again to remove all clay bar liquid
Wax the car

Sound about right? Anything I should add/remove? Thanks!

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[ColdShotxx]

Maybe clarify with them not to wash the car, not just detail.
I think meguiars is a great value.
I chose to skip correction/polish as well too. My magnetic clearcoat was looking awesome. If I remember right, UW has some fillers/glaze attributes to it, so I think you've got a very reasonable game plan.
I dont know if your knowledgable or if you're new to detailing, but I think its more technique than product choice.

 

[A Polite Canadian]

I did the whole wash/wax game on my 02 GT, but am new to the Clay Bar. I've been reading threads on here and watching videos on Youtube, and I agree it seems more technique.

I was pretty clear with the dealer not to wash or detail.

 

[ColdShotxx]

I see. Well, for clay bar the emphasis is on your wash technique, because the only way you can mess up claying is contamination. Otherwise, it a no brainer and pretty fun.

 

[350sexZ]

You don't have to wash after clay bar just wipe off with a clean microfiber towel.

 

[350sexZ]

If the kit has the polish use the polish then wax.

 

[tsunami]

Use Iron X if transported by rail.

My dealer (and I) use Iron X to dissolve any iron dust that will definitely coat your car, if it was transported by rail. Spray car (don't actually touch it) to wash off any loose material. I use a foam cannon, then rinse. Spray on Iron X (don't touch car)...let it sit (not in the sun) for a few minutes. Car will turn purple as Iron X dissolves the iron particles. Rinse off the Ironx before it dries. Iron X is fairly inexpensive, so I then spray on Iron X a second time, wait, then rinse. If there is not much purple, your car is now clean of iron particles.
I then clay bar the car using a clay bar lubricant, doing a small section at a time. Don't rub in a circular motion. Gently wipe off with a microfiber cloth. Apply a sealer coat, buff, apply a good wax, and buff.

 

[A Polite Canadian]

Alrighty. Thanks for the input. This Iron X something that is easily found around? eg. Canadian Tire or Walmart? Auto Stores?

 

[njarmstrong]

Hey all,

I should be picking up my Magnetic GT in a week or two. I went out today and bought some cleaning supplies:

Meguiars Gold Class car wash
Meguiars Clay bar kit
Meguiars Ultimate Wax kit

To preface, I asked the dealership not to detail the car when it gets in so I can do it myself. I'm not one of those balls-to-the-walls spend 8 hours a day cleaning my car type, but I, like most other, appreciate when the car looks spotless.

My game plan when i get her home is to:

Wash the car
Clay bar
Wash again to remove all clay bar liquid
Wax the car

Sound about right? Anything I should add/remove? Thanks!

This is my humble opinion. All things you need can be sourced at autoobsessed.com with free shipping in Canada over $150.

You car is going to be so covered in rail dust that an Iron treatment is absolutely necessary. Very basic steps as follows:

1. Rinse car very well to remove all loose contaminants.
2. PROPER washing, using a 2 bucket method - ideally 3 (one dedicated to wheels) - doing the wheels first.
3. Iron X your car, let dwell and then rinse - DO NOT let dry in the sun.
4. Clay bar the vehicle, go slowly, should take about 15 minutes. 25 minutes if you plan on addressing your glass surfaces as well.
5. Rinse vehicle - assess your paint to determine what correction steps you might need. Either compound/polish - or go to sealing with your selected wax.

My Magnetic arrives in 5 days or so. My process will be a solid 2 days before it leaves the garage but includes a complete coating of wheels, glass, and paint with various nano-ceramic coatings.

 

[njarmstrong]

I then clay bar the car (plan on taking at least two hours).

Good lord..... 2 hours to clay a car? This is very excessive.

 

[A Polite Canadian]

My Magnetic arrives in 5 days or so. My process will be a solid 2 days before it leaves the garage but includes a complete coating of wheels, glass, and paint with various nano-ceramic coatings.

Damn njarmstrong, you're like 30 minutes north from me. I'm expecting my magnetic next week as well.

Any idea where I can get Iron X in store on the island? I've never heard of it before and would be lying if I was a little unsure about it.

 

[tsunami]

"njanrmstrong": clay barring takes as long as you want. Skimming the clay pancake as fast as you can will certainly speed things up. But I lube spray only a fairly small area and I take my time. Sliding the bar back and forth (no circular motions) takes longer. I then wipe off that area and continue. I found that if I rush I tend to drop the pancake more often and have to cut and flatten another piece.

 

[njarmstrong]

"njanrmstrong": clay barring takes as long as you want. Skimming the clay pancake as fast as you can will certainly speed things up. But I lube spray only a fairly small area and I take my time. Sliding the bar back and forth (no circular motions) takes longer. I then wipe off that area and continue. I found that if I rush I tend to drop the pancake more often and have to cut and flatten another piece.

Yup, I go through an entire bottle of lubricant every time (mix ONR rather than a dedicated clay lubricant as that is not a cost effective option), and of course no circles. The longest I have ever had it take is 60 minutes, and that was doing an entire car, including all glass surfaces twice. You can feel when the contaminants are lifted, continuing to go over the area is a waste of time, once it is clean, it is clean.

 

[MrPotato]

What kind of clay are you guys using?

 

[Minime]

What kind of clay are you guys using?

I recommend California Mothers gold clay bar system...

California Gold Clay bar system is $20 at my local car store and lasts months. Comes with 2 clay bars, spray lubricant, and a microfiber towel. The first time you use it, do only 2 square feet per side to maximize pickup and minimal scratches.

I see myself every month claying mostly the roof, trunk, hood, and bumpers. But go by feel.

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