I have just bought a 1992 Mercedes 320CE. I've used Turtle Wax Emerald series paste to wax it and it looks great. The surface of the paint still feels rough to touch and I was going to try clay. I seem to only be able to find one supplier here in the UK - Halfords own brand - this is a large chain of Car Accessory shops. The clay is pale blue green in colour and does not come with any lubricant. How do I use it? Do I wet it and what should I use as lubricant? And do I use it in a circular motion or back and forth / side to side? The last time I tried to use it (wet,on a very dirty old Citroen CX) the clay just stuck to the paintwork and was impossible to use.

You need a lubricant such as a Mequiar's Quick Detailer. You can use the clay in any motion you like, your shoulder will usually tire by the end of the car.

Good Luck, you will like the results very much.

I am interested in the Halfords clay & the lubricant you use & what results you get Douglothian.I too am in UK. keep us posted please.

Tigerfox

I'm pretty sure that my car was resprayed at some point during its 17-1/2 year life. I have some spots where the new paint has chipped or blistered off, showing a dull original silver paint underneath. Would it be worth it to clay my car, or would I just make the paint chip off more? Also, there are a few spots alongside my doors that look pretty rough; wondering whether clay would be the right treatment for this, or whether I'd need to resort to rubbing compound...

Just wondering...

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Using clay is a new experience for me. Can someone give me a little lesson on its uses and what can be accomplished by using it?

Thanks, brookspw

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

What the clay does is lift contaminates of the paint, dirt you can`t see, bugs, and some water spots.

First wash and dry the car. Use a good car shampoo, not in the sun. In fact never do any of this in the sun.

With the car dry, spray the lubricant on small area, rub the clay in a back and forth motion, when you don`t feel any resistance the paint is clean.

After your done the paint will smooth and clean and ready for wax.

here`s another tip : After you wax your car spray it with water. this will harden the wax and make it look better.

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
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To any other Brits on this forum Iwas in Halfords tonight and they are selling their own brand of clay off cheap £1.67.It's called a Surface Cleaning Bar.It looks like they might not be re-stocking this product so if you want any, now might be the last chance you'll get.Just thought you might like to know this.Bear

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W123 '82 300D red 202,000 miles

G460 '83 280 GE LWB 69,000 miles

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One item about claying that I haven't seen mentioned. Just use a little bit of the clay bar,,, a 1/2 to 3/4 inch ball is plenty. Flatten it and work it into the paint. Keep kneading it and turning it frequently,,, as it picks up the dirt and after a couple of panels or if you drop it,,, get rid of it. Contaminants you pick up WILL scratch the paint if you are not careful.
Pete

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Doug, Tigerfox,

For a lubricant, I suggest you try Autoglym Extra Protection, in a spray, that is widely available in the UK....