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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:47:09 PM
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| Do the local auto stores carry clay or does one obtain it at a specialty store or via the internet? Is one brand better than another? I assume the "do it in the shade only" rule applies. Obviously I've never used clay and need some instruction, at least more than what I gleaned from Jeron's recent brake pad woes.
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Supreme Being
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| Clay is easy to use. I just clayed my M3, the wifes 330 and our Camry in the last month. Pepboys sells Mothers $16 and Oreilly sells Meguiars $10. Get the Meguiars it seems to work just as well. They both come with the detailing spray. There is a write up on bf.c that gets really anal about it. I always wax after clay and here is how I do it: Wash the car very well. I use a few drops of dish soap since I plan to wax after.
Pull it in the garage.
Tear off about 1/4 to 1/5 of the clay bar and flatten it.
Spay the detailing spray on the car and rub the clay in this lube, repeat.
Kneed the clay to get a new surface after every few areas.
Do the cleanest areas first just like washing.
When you are done wash the car again to remove the clay residue and then back into the garage for a wax job.
Jeron
BMW / PCA / Apex HPDE Instructor
97 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma; 2001 330i Silver/Gray; 97 R1100RT; 91 F-150 5.8l
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: 8/6/2008 3:34:10 PM
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| There is so much good information at meguiarsonline.com that its mind bending. The Meguiars detail class they had a couple months ago rocked. Wash Solutions near Walnut Hill and I-35 has everything Meguiars, event the professional lines at good prices. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/ Trent
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Supreme Being
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| Thanks Trent. I would like to have gone to that seminar too but it filled up so quickly. Maybe the next one. Frank
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:47:09 PM
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| Is a clay bar the hy-tech version of what used to be called rubbing compound that came in several grit levels?
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Supreme Being
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| No, it is not anything like rubbing compound and does not produce similar results. Clay does not remove any paint or clear coat. If you were going or use rubbing compound or any abrasive polish you would benefit from claying the surface first.
Jeron
BMW / PCA / Apex HPDE Instructor
97 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma; 2001 330i Silver/Gray; 97 R1100RT; 91 F-150 5.8l
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:47:09 PM
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| What's the objective when using clay and how does it accomplish that objective? Frank
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Supreme Being
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| It removes contaminants that are stuck to the surface of the clearcoat or paint. As the clay moves across the surface the contaminants stick to the clay and become embedded. Detailing spray lubricates the surface to prevent scratching the clearcoat. No clearcoat or paint is removed. No chemical process is employed. I'm sure Mothers or Meguiars websites have a better description.
Jeron
BMW / PCA / Apex HPDE Instructor
97 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma; 2001 330i Silver/Gray; 97 R1100RT; 91 F-150 5.8l
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/6/2008 3:34:10 PM
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| Run you hand across your freshly washed hood. Feel the small sediment/dirt/brake/grit/ dust/paint overspray/environmental fall out-sized bumps? Once you clay the car, the paint will feel smooth as a baby's butt. If your car sits outside at all, you will notice amazing difference. Right now my car is sitting 100 yds from an elevated highway, so everyday my car receives all sorts of soot and brake dust from traffic. Comes in clean, leaves dirty, just from sitting in the city. It is literally a bar of synthetic clay. Wash/dry the car by hand very well, tear off a piece from the clay bar, save the rest in a ziploc, mold it into a small pancake, lube the surface with detailing fluid, rub the pancake back and forth lightly over a small area, feel the grit go away, turn/reform the pancake often, throw dirty clay away, wipe off excess lube, wax or polish paint, drink beer, go nutty over the smoothness, shine, and gloss, and try to explain what you've been doing to your significant other who only wants the yard mowed. You can buy the Meguiars clay kit almost anywhere. Make sure you use the Microfiber towels, they rock. Trent
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 Posted 4/13/2006 7:19:14 AM |
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