Buff or clay bar first?
#5
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Originally posted by Finality
Hmmm I plan on using dawn....
I heard that I should wax straight after using a clay bar since the paint will be totally exposed?
Hmmm I plan on using dawn....
I heard that I should wax straight after using a clay bar since the paint will be totally exposed?
#6
dude, windex has ammonia. ![NoNo](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif)
Dawn isn't bad for the clear coat. if you want confirmation go ask the guys at autopia. Dawn just strips the wax off. If you get a clay kit, if will come with some type of lube (usually some quick detailer). You can also use a soap and water mixture in a spray bottle. Make sure the area you clay has plenty of lube
Once you clay, the car will not have wax. If you want to get the shine back, you should use a polish, swirl remover if you want to take out swirls, glaze if you just want to cover the swirls, and then wax.
![NoNo](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif)
Dawn isn't bad for the clear coat. if you want confirmation go ask the guys at autopia. Dawn just strips the wax off. If you get a clay kit, if will come with some type of lube (usually some quick detailer). You can also use a soap and water mixture in a spray bottle. Make sure the area you clay has plenty of lube
Once you clay, the car will not have wax. If you want to get the shine back, you should use a polish, swirl remover if you want to take out swirls, glaze if you just want to cover the swirls, and then wax.
#7
Originally posted by NickStam
dude, windex has ammonia.![NoNo](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif)
Dawn isn't bad for the clear coat. if you want confirmation go ask the guys at autopia. Dawn just strips the wax off. If you get a clay kit, if will come with some type of lube (usually some quick detailer). You can also use a soap and water mixture in a spray bottle. Make sure the area you clay has plenty of lube
Once you clay, the car will not have wax. If you want to get the shine back, you should use a polish, swirl remover if you want to take out swirls, glaze if you just want to cover the swirls, and then wax.
dude, windex has ammonia.
![NoNo](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif)
Dawn isn't bad for the clear coat. if you want confirmation go ask the guys at autopia. Dawn just strips the wax off. If you get a clay kit, if will come with some type of lube (usually some quick detailer). You can also use a soap and water mixture in a spray bottle. Make sure the area you clay has plenty of lube
Once you clay, the car will not have wax. If you want to get the shine back, you should use a polish, swirl remover if you want to take out swirls, glaze if you just want to cover the swirls, and then wax.
Yes, this is correct. You dont have to buy any kind of kit though.
Go buy a clay bar and meguairs quick detailer and you are set. Water in a spray bottle will do just fine as well. Make sure you continuously keep it wet. This is why you want a spray bottle of some sort.
the key to using swirl remover is not to rub it like wax or polish. Just enough to where it will start to go away.
#8
Originally posted by Swafford98
the key to using swirl remover is not to rub it like wax or polish. Just enough to where it will start to go away.
the key to using swirl remover is not to rub it like wax or polish. Just enough to where it will start to go away.
#11
Re: Buff or clay bar first?
Originally posted by Finality
I was planning on buffing my car over the weekend to get some marks out. Whats the best way of doing it?
Clean then buff then clay?
I was planning on buffing my car over the weekend to get some marks out. Whats the best way of doing it?
Clean then buff then clay?
#14
Originally posted by jamiebooth
what are you using the clay bar for???
what are you using the clay bar for???
#15
I prefer Mothers clay bar over Meguires
I found it to be easier to work with, more pliable, less prone to flaking or chunking, and a more appealing colour ![Wink](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
If you buy the Mothers, it should come in a box along with some Showtime (the lubricating spray you use to wet the car for the clay bar), and some Carnauba wax.
I agree: wash, clay, wash, wax.
Oh, and then keep a few clean towels and the Showtime in your trunk so you can buff your car anytime you need to.
At all times I have Showtime, glass cleaner, Meguire's vinyl and rubber cleaner and leather cleaner in my trunk, along with shop towels, shop paper towels, and some buffing cloths. My little cleaning stash that can be busted out should I suddenly run into a mini-meet.
Mike
![Wink](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
If you buy the Mothers, it should come in a box along with some Showtime (the lubricating spray you use to wet the car for the clay bar), and some Carnauba wax.
I agree: wash, clay, wash, wax.
Oh, and then keep a few clean towels and the Showtime in your trunk so you can buff your car anytime you need to.
At all times I have Showtime, glass cleaner, Meguire's vinyl and rubber cleaner and leather cleaner in my trunk, along with shop towels, shop paper towels, and some buffing cloths. My little cleaning stash that can be busted out should I suddenly run into a mini-meet.
![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Mike
#17
Originally posted by theblue
you do realize that a clay bar won't remove swirls
you do realize that a clay bar won't remove swirls
#18
Wash, then clay, then wax.
Personally, I would use the Clay Magic bar as opposed to the Mothers and Meguiar's. Another trick is to start claying the car after you have rinsed it. I did that on the '02 and it worked nicely and it saved me a huge amount of time.
Personally, I would use the Clay Magic bar as opposed to the Mothers and Meguiar's. Another trick is to start claying the car after you have rinsed it. I did that on the '02 and it worked nicely and it saved me a huge amount of time.
![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#19
I agree with PrinzII. I would also recommend using "clay magic" by AUTOMAGIC over the others too. I have been using their products to detail cars for almost 10 years now. I was the head detailer at a Nissan dealership during college and that is where I started using their products.
check out this site
http://208.245.156.147/specialt.htm
It is AutoMagic's website and shows clay magic. it also tells you what the clay bar is used for. they use a liquid called "Body Shine" to spray on the car before using the clay bar. The Body Shine is really slippery so it works great.
make sure you buff or wax your car after using the clay bar.
check out this site
http://208.245.156.147/specialt.htm
It is AutoMagic's website and shows clay magic. it also tells you what the clay bar is used for. they use a liquid called "Body Shine" to spray on the car before using the clay bar. The Body Shine is really slippery so it works great.
make sure you buff or wax your car after using the clay bar.
#21
Originally posted by Finality
Looks like its going to rain so nothings going to happen today
But lemme get this straight.
Wash
Clay
Buff
Wax
?
I'm using a bunch of Zaino stuff Z1, 2 ,5 ,6 etc
Looks like its going to rain so nothings going to happen today
![Frown](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
But lemme get this straight.
Wash
Clay
Buff
Wax
?
I'm using a bunch of Zaino stuff Z1, 2 ,5 ,6 etc
![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Now, you will want to wash the car with car wash (dawn if you prefer since you are waxing afterwards, but I suggest a car wash). After washing, no need to dry, just rinse real well. Get a spray bottle with water and a few drops of Johnson's baby shampoo, shake it up and use that solution while claying. We used to use that solution at the detail shop I worked at and it works like a charm. After claying the whole car (by the way, make sure you keep working with the clay turning the dirty side of the clay in on itself) rinse well and wash again if you wish.
Now, dry dry dry, likeyou never dried before! Compressed air helps for cracks and crevices, but you don't want any water on your car while polishing or waxing.
Then polish or compound (depending on color of car), after you're done and the paint looks PERFECT, go ahead and wax it. If you need to use any harsh chemicals (bug and tar solution or simple green seems to work well on white cars), after claying is the time to do it. All you have to do from there is wax the car and you're golden. Obviously do NOT apply wax to a hot car or a car in direct sunlight.
Have fun. You'll spend at least 5 hours. :-)
#23
Originally posted by Finality
Thanks for the tips![Smilie](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Still doesn't help me though as to which part I need to buff the car at![Stick Out Tongue](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I was hoping I could get to my car today since it was forecasted to be clear....
Thanks for the tips
![Smilie](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Still doesn't help me though as to which part I need to buff the car at
![Stick Out Tongue](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
I was hoping I could get to my car today since it was forecasted to be clear....
Buff is actually a verb, more than a term as you are using it. After all you use a "buffer" to put on all waxes/polishes and compounds and it can also be used to take it off if you have a clean bonnet on your buffer.
;-)
#25
Originally posted by Finality
Hrmmm I actually bought a 10" buffer specifically to take out some marks from the side panels nothing major just some visual blemishes.
I was told to buy a buffer to get em out and then wax?
Hrmmm I actually bought a 10" buffer specifically to take out some marks from the side panels nothing major just some visual blemishes.
I was told to buy a buffer to get em out and then wax?
#26
Originally posted by deezo
If you rub your hand over your paint, you will feel a lot crap stuck into the surface of your clearcoat. The clay is used to remove the crap leaving your clearcoat feeling smooth.
If you rub your hand over your paint, you will feel a lot crap stuck into the surface of your clearcoat. The clay is used to remove the crap leaving your clearcoat feeling smooth.
![Big Grin](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I read clay bar is also used to clean up over spray of paint. Is that means clay bar will strip off a layer of paint when I use it? Will it strip off the wax also (if I don't use Dawn)?
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