Gave it a good claying.

[Zonda_]

Never used a clay bar before and I was a bit worried about it, couldn't get my head round the concept of rubbing something on the bodywork which would pick up residue etc but not scratch the paint!  I bought the stuff before Christmas and the weather has only just been good enough to use it.  I washed the car thoroughly first then read the instructions on the clay kit, 3 times. Finally set to work and over one patch it sounded like I was using sandpaper   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:   I wiped the liquid off expecting to see a mass of scratches only to reveal spotless bodywork and a film of black muck on the clay! I've only just washed this bugger?! I carried on and got the same result all the way round the car having to knead the clay several times as it was so filthy.  The engine cover was a particular revelation with loads of orange stuff coming off it and needing doing twice. Patched of residue that I've never been able to shift since buying the car are now gone and despite the weather changing and not being able to wax it yet it's gleaming! I'm regretting the need to sell now but rest assured, the new one will get the same treatment.

I used Meguiars Quik clay kit bought off Amazon, well worth the money.

Not very good pic but check the reflection in the drivers door!

[StuC]

Wow, like a mirror dude. Good effort!!  :-) :-) :-)

Hood is looking good too  :-) :-) :-)

[tomaky]

Oh my days! Mines gunna get clayed in the summer if we get one. Top job!

[nathanMR2]

Just make sure you get some protection on there as soon as possible as it will need it now

[s12vea]

Ace job!

[Pavett1990]

Just make sure you get some protection on there as soon as possible as it will need it now

+1

[Zonda_]

Going to buy some wax tomorrow,  any recommendations?

[nathanMR2]

Depends where your picking it up from. Personally I use collinite 915 on a dark car for good shine and protection but your unlikely to get that from your local halfords. Dodo juice purple haze is also very good.

Failing that meguiars stuff will do

[Zonda_]

Nearest place I can get to soon,  as in tomorrow, is Halford.

[nathanMR2]

I used this for a while which was alright.

 m http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1 m  

The G3 stuff is supposed to be good but I've never used it myself

[Pavett1990]

my dad bought the G3 wax to clean the porsche and he said he would never buy it again and threw it out.. he uses the meguiars wash and then the meguiars wax

[Zonda_]

The Meguiars stuff gets good reviews

[rogue_zero]

only use maguaiars too

[Chilli Girl]

Chilli gets Autoglm High Definition Wax twice a year and many washes in between! Her paintwork really does shine using this!

[dj2k21]

Claying quarterly, detailed and sealed monthly, washed and waxed fortnightly,  windows cleaned and tyres shined weekly, instant detailing in between  s:) s:)

[AndyM]

That looks amazing mate good job!  s:D s:D

I've got the Meguiars 3 step paint restoration kit here (with the clay and wax in) and hoping to do the full thing tomorrow. My '2 needs it after the salt it's picked up today in Wales!

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not (I think it was three weekends ago) it was warm enough to do the three stages with Meguiars, stage one, claying with the detailer, stage two, polish then buffer, stage three, polish with the carnuba wax and buffer off again......... boy was I knackered   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Chilli Girl]

Yep, looks amazing, well done.  Must wash the salt off Chilli tomorrow, I 've never seen her look such a mess. Will wait another month or so until I clay her.

[Zonda_]

Not looking bad for a 12 year old,  hopefully will go to a good home.

[simers]

The car looks fab mate... I use autoglym hd wax.. It's fab stuff

[Chilli Girl]

The shine is so good on yours, I can even see the reflection of a BMW in it, can't I? I need my shades on it's soooooo shiny.  s8) s8)  
Brill for a 12 yr old

[Zonda_]

Indeed, a 530 Sport Touring,  I was shocked at the result,  the pack said a mirror finish but..

[Chilli Girl]

I've failed, I couldn't make out the Estate bit on the BM.   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:   You should've clayed abit harder!

[roger]

Claying quarterly,

I would suggest this is too frequent and indicative of poor in-between care. Also its expensive (see below)

my dad bought the G3 wax to clean the porsche and he said he would never buy it again and threw it out..

Is that because you should never use wax to wash a car   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Also to OP, and everybody, the only good clay is a clean clay. You really should considered binning it if you've picked up a lot of debris. Don't want it putting scratches back into your paintwork next time around.

[Zonda_]

The clay has been binned, just finished waxing it and I'm chuffed to bits with the results! Wax wasn't cheap at £27 but came with a neat applicator and a decent size polishing cloth.