I want to clay my car cause of all the good things I've heard about it, but I got a couple questions. Cause I'm a
1) How long does it take?
2) Do I have to be super careful, if I'm not, can I mess up the paint?
3) Should I wax after doing it?

 

My experience:
1) It doesn't take all that long. I don't use the spray. I just use water, after I wash but before I dry. With plenty of water clay an area (half the roof and rinse, trunk and rinse, and so forth.
2) Yes, be careful. I don't think you can mess up your paint unless your are very careless and don't use enough lubricant (water or spray). Worst case is you might leave some streaks which will easily come off with polish.
3) Yes, polish and wax after using the clay bar.

You will be amazed at how smooth your Max will feel after you are done. The wax will look much better on a well prepared surface. Have fun ...

 

1) Around 2 hrs. if you do it well, but depends on how many contaminants you have.
2) No, but cut the clay bar into 4 separate pieces. If you drop a piece at any point, trash it. Flatten it out like a little pancake, spray clay lube, and move clay in front to back motion. No circles. This way, if something did happen to get stuck under the clay, it would only leave a straight scratch rather than a circular scratch which would be visible from every angle. Just make sure the car is washed with Dawn thoroughly before beginning.
3) Yes. Washing with Dawn and claying takes all protection from the paint. Be sure to wax right after.

 

using dawn? clothes detergent? can you use anything eles? like dishwasher soap?

 

dawn is a dish washing soap. That is what he means.

 

I wouldn't use dishwasher soap, i.e Dawn, since they are very harsh chemical for car paint. According to Pat Goss from MotorWeek.

 

ok thanks guys, when i do it, ill take some pics so u can see

 

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...highlight=dawn

Popular opinion on all the message boards is that Dawn is ok as long as you don't do it often (twice a year at most). Some tips with using Dawn as a pre-clay wash:

1. Make sure you don't let the Dawn sit on the car for long periods of time (wash small sections and rinse quickly)
2. Make sure you do a final rinse that gets every little bit of dawn residue off the car
3. Make sure you treat the rubber trim all around the car when you are done detailing. Dawn will make quick work of drying out the rubber trim.

 

Use a regular clay lube...I ordered the Pinnacle kit from CMA and I'm satisfied. If you want to use dawn use it to wash the car, just use a normal clay lube for the clay.

YES you can harm your paint with it. The key is that you MUST knead the clay VERY often. If you don't keep kneading it (is that spelled right hmmm) you will eventually pick up a little piece of sand or something and then grind it into your paint. Some people even slice off a piece of clay and then toss it. The one time I did my car I kneaded about twice per panel and still ended up with a small scratch. Be VERY careful.

I'll admit to being a convert...I was very anti-clay for awhile. Still though, once a year at the most is all you need. if you're keeping your paint clean and polished anyway then you shouldn't pick too much stuff up with the clay anyway.

Good luck.

 

thanks, i think im going to start on this process tomorrow

 

i know u have been discussing this in this topic, but do u think i should use the dawn or not...? i have a lot of wax on my car.

 

Yes, use it. The whole point in using Dawn is to remove any residue from previous waxes so you can start fresh. Just be sure to use it as mentioned above (only once or twice a year for this purpose only)

 

should i only use dawn or can i use something else in the same family?