Using the clay bar
 

I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I went to the auto supply store and purchased te Mothers Claiforniay Gold Clay Bar. So I tested it out on the wife's 540 wagon before putting it on my E500. Now keep in mind that I already cleaned the wax yesterday with Meguiars cleaner wax and put on a fresh coat of Blitz wax after that. So I had to wash off the new wax job to get started. I was going to use the Sonnex car wash concentrate that I usually go with, but this time I used liquid detergent because I really needed to cut through the new wax.

After I got the car clean and dry, I opened up the miniscule clay bar and grabbed the Detail spray that comes with it. I followed the instructions although I found that I was sometimes necessary to apply pressure to get off stubborn debris. I first did the hood and didn't think it was working. Then I started to understand that you need to move the bar vigorisly at times until you see the contaminants disappear. Man is this hard work. I must admit, I didn't do the roof. When I was done, the car was full of streaks and coated in a dull film. I really couldn't picture the final result.

Then I began waxing with Mequiars Gold Class (which, by the way, I don't think is any better than their standard cleaner wax) and left it to harden per the instructions. Once I started buffing it off I was blinded by the deep mirror finish and how smooth the car felt. Even the plastic bumpers that had years of bugs imprinted on them, were like a baby's bottom.

Those in doubt, should give it a try. Just put aside a whole day because that's what the entire process took this first timer.

Khari

Re: Using the clay bar
 

...using wife's car as guinea pig = big NO NO

You missed a step during the clay process. See, you were supposed to keep the car body lubed with the clay lube spray. That is what prevents the smears and scratches. I recently clayed my sisters Ford Focus(boy it felt like sandpaper,even after a wash). The trick is to keep the car as lubed as possible and do only small parts of the body at a time. After you finish the claying, wash the car again. That will leave it shiny and smooth.

Good Advice and good tip!
 

However, when you get to your car, Call Sal at Zaino and put about 10 coats of #5 and a few coats of the Hi Mirror stuff on top and you won't believe the shine and the longevity.

Hey Mike
 

The instruction said not to wash the car after claying (is that a verb?) it, but instead to proceed directly to waxing. I did use a lot of spray. I went through a whole bottle on one car. IThe rubbing was smooth, but after the spray dried I had streaking and there was no shine...that is until I applied the wax.

Re: Hey Mike
 

You are NOT supposed to let the spray dry on the car!;)

I don't get it.
 

Eventually, it has to dry, doesn't it. Are you saying that you buff the car before you let it dry. I kept it wet while using the bar, but streaks were left as I moved onto a different section/panel.

What he is saying...
 

Is that you do a small spot at a time. As you moisten and clay you wipe off the residue. You keep using a rag that is clean or reasonably clean and by spraying, claying, and wiping you shouldn/t have a streak or a smear.

Catch my drift!

By the way..
 

Do you know how to tell if you need to clay or not? Many people clay a car and it really doesn't need it.

The "test" that many people use to tell when a car needs claying is a simple one. Get a plastic grocery bag and put your hand in it. On a recently washed car,rub your hand over the cars body. Does it feel bumpy and rough? If so, then it is time for the clay.

I got it now.
 

Thanks.

Timely thread!! I just clayed need2speed this weekend using the Mothers kit. Tedious but not difficult....and what great results!

You could feel junk on the paint surface with your fingertips before, and glass-like smoothness afterwards. Road tar and insect goo came off easily. Afterwards, I went back a few times and just ran my hands over the oh-so-smooth paint...am I sick?

The clay worked just as well on the plastic lower cladding and the chrome trim. Very impressive...:D

Youre not sick, trust me. Everytime my sister comes around in her Ford Focus, I have the sudden urge to rub my fingers across the paint. It is smooth as glass, thanks to me and Mr. Clay bar. And to think, a detail shop wanted to charge her $80 to clay her Focus. It cost me $10(for the clay and lube) and an hour of my time. She thanks me about 1000 times a day! Ahhh the power of DIY.

IF we all learn how to DIY, all mechanics will be out of a job!!

sounds good to me :)

i read somewhere on here that using car washing soap as a lube is better than the spray mcguires stuff,,,,as far as experience it worked much better with the soap than the spray for sure, amazing how much difference it makes. You really dont know how dirty something is until you clean it:)

Excellent Advice!
 

Using Car wash is a great way to clay! As a matter of fact many mfgs. of clay recommend you use car wash as a medium in this regard. It sure eliminates the elbow grease and provides a Super Result!

My 2 cents!