Used this on Saturday.
(http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/g1116.jpg)
The car is now a year old and the paint (when clean) was feeling 'rough'. So I set Saturday aside to lavish attention on the car.
Started off by washing and drying it. Then used the clay. Pulled off a small amount from the bar, flattened it and set to on the car, using the supplied detailing spray as a lubricant. Took quite some time – lots of fiddly bits like the intakes – but well worth it. A panel at a time, removing the lubricant with a cloth as each panel was completed. By running my hand along the paint I could feel when it was clean – the difference between dirty and clean is so marked. I ended up using all of the bar on the paintwork, and used the now-filthy clay on the windows last of all. It's shocking just how dirty the car (and glass) were. s:shock: :shock: s:shock: And this was a year-old clean car.
Obviously once all this was done, the car was bare paint/lacquer, and the polish and wax protection needed re-applying. So two coats of polish (Autoglym Super Resin Polish) followed by a coat of wax (Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection). Took friggin' ages! s:roll: :roll: s:roll:
But it was sooooo worth it. The paint appears darker, so rich is the gloss. Definately worth it, if you have seven hours to spare! s:shock: :shock: s:shock: So if your car when clean feels rough to the touch, go buy some clay!
Completely agree with you Paul. I use it every weekend, and It's absolutely fantastic. I too couldn't believe how a car that I had washed twice, could still make the bar filthy. I find it especially useful on the front for flies etc.
I don't ever imagine cleaning the car without using one again! It really does make that much difference. Also I find if you polish it, you really don't need to keep cleaning it to look spotless. In fact with just the clay bar and no polish my car looks better than, previously with loads of polish.
I used to use AutoGlym polish as well, until I tried Meguiars Gold Class, which is absolutely miles better IMO. Really easy to get on, and off, and makes the paint look 3D and not a flat colour like it normally looks.
Quote from: "MRMike"Also I find if you polish it, you really don't need to keep cleaning it to look spotless. In fact with just the clay bar and no polish my car looks better than, previously with loads of polish.
It might look better for a while, but the clay strips off
all the polish/wax, leaving unprotected paintwork. That will oxidise quickly, and in the long-run, you'll end up cutting back that oxidation to maintain the finish; never leave unprotected paintwork for more than day at most; always get some wax back on.
My recommendation for wax; Swissol (http://www.swissol.com/E/GB/Produkte.htm)
Hi,
Just to add to this thread, I purchased (on recommendation of Slancy) The complete 3 stage kit from Muguirr's.
I recently needed to replace the Quik Detailer, so purchased with the clay bar and I've got to say, it's a bit of a faff going round, what 4 times, Clay, Base, Polish, Wax.... but the results are excellent, offering a very deep rich shine on the laquer.
I have used Auto Gym (all the range of products) before and I think there is a place for all the polishes, depends on how much time you have to spare.....
Am I glad the 2's small, my dad came round at the weekend a in his new Disco and said, clean the car boy - so I told he, that what your valet team at works for !!! enough said!
Cheers
Darren
Quote from: "pmdye"Quote from: "MRMike"Also I find if you polish it, you really don't need to keep cleaning it to look spotless. In fact with just the clay bar and no polish my car looks better than, previously with loads of polish.
It might look better for a while, but the clay strips off all the polish/wax, leaving unprotected paintwork. That will oxidise quickly, and in the long-run, you'll end up cutting back that oxidation to maintain the finish; never leave unprotected paintwork for more than day at most; always get some wax back on.
My recommendation for wax; Swissol (http://www.swissol.com/E/GB/Produkte.htm)
I do always apply a coat of polish. I was just making the point that just clay barring the car, gives a finish that is better, in terms of smoothness than layers of polish on a car that hasn't had a clay bar.
I've tried Swissol, and it is very good stuff. I personally think it's a bit harder to remove than megiuars though. Zaino is really good stuff, but I can't be bothered to faff around for a day to do the full treatment. Plus buying that each time I needed to clean the car would make me cry.
and remind me again where you get this miracle of a cleaning product s:?: :?: s:?:
I got mine at my local auto shop, but can be found here:
w www.speeding.co.uk (http://www.speeding.co.uk) w
cheers Darth s:D :D s:D
Good call Stuart on finding out where the clay is sold..I asked at my local garage and he thought i was mad..CLAY? A CLAY BAR? to clean your car? CLAY? s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
It's available in most Halfords, that's where i get mine from now.
Quote from: "MRMike"It's available in most Halfords, that's where i get mine from now.
now thats a surprise, i was under the opinion that they only sold cr*p!
Check out this website about extreme detailing: http://www.autopia.org
Quote from: "MRMike"I do always apply a coat of polish. I was just making the point that just clay barring the car, gives a finish that is better, in terms of smoothness than layers of polish on a car that hasn't had a clay bar.
Ah, sorry, my mistake; I know what you mean now, and agree entirely; pure, clean paint is silky smooth and very shiny. Just doesn't stay that way very long s:( :( s:(
My nearly 4 year old MR2 (only just aquired it) had rough paint. I used the best polish/wax/gloss protection, but nothing would make the paint smooth. Until I tried this product yesterday.
The results were miraculous, the paintwork did feel like glass once more and I am so chuffed.
Yes it took off all the protection I had put on it, but so what, the roughness was caused by environmental factors and probably a lack of upkeep by the previous owner, now the paint is fully cleaned, I can build up the protection again that you would with any car. As long as I keep the protection up, then I shouldn't really need to do it again, at least to the level I did yesterday, since it was probably the lack of polish and wax that caused the rough paint in the first place.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED....a fantastic product.
Stewart
What does 'The three stage' kit consist of? I use Autoglym at the moment but thinking of getting some of this stuff and wondering what to buy?
In terms of wax, I can recommend either Zymol (about £10 in Halfords) which uses natural oils (coconut and banana) and makes your car smell incredible! But better still, Meguiars Nxt Generation wax - very very good indeed. Doesn't smell as nice as Zymol but smell isn't everything I guess. s:D :D s:D
Am I the only one who's got a fixation with the smell of car wax?! s:? :? s:?
Quote from: "Jono & Emma"Am I the only one who's got a fixation with the smell of car wax?! s:? :? s:?
You're not alone there, I love the smell it leaves on your hands. Have even thought of buying some for the wife as hand cream
Quote from: "Bowman"Quote from: "Jono & Emma"Am I the only one who's got a fixation with the smell of car wax?! s:? :? s:?
You're not alone there, I love the smell it leaves on your hands. Have even thought of buying some for the wife as hand cream
s:lol: :lol: s:lol: Probably just as good for a 1/10th of the cost s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I can see it now, you go to the loo for a number 2, wash your hands, then put a top coat to keep out the UVB rays with some luxurious carnauba wax, sitting next to some tesco wash and wax s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Have to say I think Zymol wax is crap. It's harder to get off than it would be to sand the car! If the cheap stuff is anything to go by, there is no way that I would buy there Zymol Royal Glaze at £5820
m http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89 (http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89) m s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
Quote from: "MRMike"Have to say I think Zymol wax is crap. It's harder to get off than it would be to sand the car! If the cheap stuff is anything to go by, there is no way that I would buy there Zymol Royal Glaze at £5820
m http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89 (http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89) m s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
Funny, many seem to praise that stuff and I've been thinking of trying it myself s:? :? s:?
Just about the only complaint I've heard of them is that they turn to poop in cold. Maybe under 0C/32F or around it, but anyways...are you sure yours didn't do that?
Quote from: "MRMike"Have to say I think Zymol wax is crap. It's harder to get off than it would be to sand the car! If the cheap stuff is anything to go by, there is no way that I would buy there Zymol Royal Glaze at £5820
m http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89 (http://www.vertar.com/zymol-estate-glazes.asp?pt_id=89) m s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
Not experienced any trouble with Zymol, has gone on and off easily. The finish in experience was better than Meguirs
No definitely not due to the temp! I think it's awful to get off, and the finish doesn't last long at all..the megiurs gold class I use now is good for several washes.
I also prefer the applicator that comes with Megiurs, makes application so much easier.
I agree that my personal choice would be the Meguiars over Zymol but Zymol not hard to remove IMHO - Perhaps too much was applied? s:? :? s:? Anyway - topic drift! Back to that Clay Bar... s:D :D s:D
I cannot believe that Zymol are selling a wax for £5k. That's absurd...isn't it? s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
What on earth can give it a value of that, someone please enlighten me
I don't know if you guys can get the Mothers 3 phase wax system over there with the Quick detailer spray, but as far as I'm concerned it is the only way to go. also Vynelex and 303 protectant is a great way to go for soft tops.
Quote from: "samhain"I cannot believe that Zymol are selling a wax for £5k. That's absurd...isn't it? s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
What on earth can give it a value of that, someone please enlighten me
But they do refill the container for life for free s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Quote from: "SteveJ"Quote from: "samhain"I cannot believe that Zymol are selling a wax for £5k. That's absurd...isn't it? s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
What on earth can give it a value of that, someone please enlighten me
But they do refill the container for life for free s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I suppose £5k wax with eternal refill is more value for money than half eaten toast for £20k s:roll: :roll: s:roll: Some people just have too much money...
Quote from: "Tem"Quote from: "SteveJ"Quote from: "samhain"I cannot believe that Zymol are selling a wax for £5k. That's absurd...isn't it? s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
What on earth can give it a value of that, someone please enlighten me
But they do refill the container for life for free s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
I suppose £5k wax with eternal refill is more value for money than half eaten toast for £20k s:roll: :roll: s:roll: Some people just have too much money...
Where does the half eaten toast for 20K come from s:? :? s:? s:?: :?: s:?:
m http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034787.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034787.stm) m
Quote from: "Tem"http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034787.stm
Some people definately have more money than sense s:? :? s:?
Now i've seen what the three stage kit consists of, I think i might go for that and the gold class shampoo!
I might get the clay bar too but will see the results of the above first!
Anyone used the metal cleaner on their exhaust tips as mine are a bit black?
In all honesty the Clay bar will make the biggest difference! Seriously I reccomend everyone has one on a cord around their neck they are so damn good.
what is the best wax for someone who likes things simple like me? s:D :D s:D
ive had a few recommended its just the one in this thread sounds a bit technial and i know i would do it. also whats the best product for roof cleaning/protection? s:? :? s:?
Quote from: "nic_wigan"what is the best wax for someone who likes things simple like me? s:D :D s:D
ive had a few recommended its just the one in this thread sounds a bit technial and i know i would do it. also whats the best product for roof cleaning/protection? s:? :? s:?
Many will tell you their preference so here is mine.....nice and simple P21s. Lovely easy to apply carnuba wax, the deep wet shine is to die for but the level of protection diminishes with heat. A synthetic wax, depending on your requirements might be better. They tend to last longer due to their additional compounds, I like Turtle Wax platinum wax with Carnuba (small percentage no doubt), smells nice too s:D :D s:D
For roof I use Auto Glmn rubber and vinyl solution. Gives it a nice deep black look but as long as you wipe it on, it won't look horrible and shiny and unnatural
Using this clay, is it not a bit risky that you may put swirls into the laquer?
that certainly seems to be the fear of a few people, according to posts in the forum on the meguiars site...
i think i;m gonna try out the car wash (supposed to have softeners like that new flash jobbie) and also the nxt wax..
bring on the elbow grease at jae! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
It does look like good stuff....Just a bit fearful of that one thing. Comments would be appreciated on this matter.
I can only speak for myself when I say that this thing did not produce any detrimental results for my painwork.
Quite the opposite.
I suppose all I gotta do is try it, can't imagine it will cause much more damage than what the stone chips are doing to my car!
There is a danger that if you use the same clay bar over and over on the same side then you might have problems. After each clay barring I fold the bar over. It's like putty so you can get a 'clean' side by re-moulding.
If you weigh up the potntial damage, versus the stone chips, bird crap, and general debris that ruins your paintwork it's a worthwhile risk IMO
Just gave my '2 the first half of its full-on clean today. Washed it with the AutoGlym shampoo, dried it, then Meguiar's quick clay over the entire thing (so smooth!), then AutoGlym Super Resin Polish, full hoovering, Autoglym vinyl treatment on the inside vinyl, TurtleWax 2-step soft top treatment and finally Turtle Wax extreme tyre gel for the new Toyos.
Tomorrow: another coat of Super Resin and then the Auto Glym extra protection plus I am jacking the car up and using my new pressure washer to blast all of the remaining muck from underneath and the wheel wells.
August's project is to rust treat and paint the rusting parts of the undercarriage.
By the way, got a great bargain at Argos of all places: 150bar pressure washer, 25cm random orbital polisher and 12v wet/dry car vac for 95 euro! Considering that Halfrauds sell a similar polisher alone for 50 euro, I consider this a steal.
QuoteI like Turtle Wax platinum wax with Carnuba
That's what I use - and owning a black Spyder, I have to be on top of my finish. It's not the nee-plus-ultra of shines, but it offers the best combination of shine, UV protection, and longevity of any product available (according to my own research and published comparative matrices).
Began using the claybar a month or so ago. It's a very good product. However, the claybar isn't something you use every wash, rather, it's good at getting everything off the paint prior to doing additional work, like applying a paint sealant, where you absolutely want to be sure you aren't locking any kind of crap underneath. You also use it to remove stubborn marks that won't come off with standard wash soap.
A standard claybar should be able to detail a Spyder about 3 times, provided you fold it regularly.
I'm glad that everyone is seeing the benefits and quality of Meguiars products, especially the clay bar. I've been using them for some time and recommend cutting the clay bar into pieces either in half or in quarters. It means that if you have an especially dirty car that you don't contaminate the whole bar and that you can dipose of a really dirty piece rather than folding it into a cleaner area of the bar, if you get my drift.
My experience is that the clay bar should be used every few months rather than every wash. After clay barring, at least use some wax but I usually polish and then wax. The clay bar will help increase the depth and glossyness of the paint after any wax is applied immediately after it.
After treatment the paint on my non-metallic black Golf GTI looks liquid and as smooth as glass and that car has a real hard time at 30K per year, a lot of it at high motorway speeds.
A few people in this thread have said that this or that wax is hard or easy ot remove.
A question: how does one remove wax?
Quote from: "Ernie Ball"A few people in this thread have said that this or that wax is hard or easy ot remove.
A question: how does one remove wax?
Clay bar removes everything. You need to wax and then polish afterwards.
I find that 3M microfibre cloths are pretty good - theyre kind of more abrasive but don't harm the body work so they cut through the dried wax easily. I bought a mutipack from costco but I'm sure that you can buy them supermarkets or maybe B&Q or Homebase.
Quote from: "Darth Paul"Quote from: "Ernie Ball"A few people in this thread have said that this or that wax is hard or easy ot remove.
A question: how does one remove wax?
Clay bar removes everything. You need to wax and then polish afterwards.
I'm pretty sure that you should polish first and wax (or use a sealant) afterwards. Polish, if I'm not mistaken, not only cleans but is slightly abrasive.
In fact, although I put two coats of Super Resin Polish on when I did the car last week, I'm not convinced that the second coat is worth doing, since it may just be rubbing off the first. I think one coat followed by the Extra Gloss Protectant should be enough.
Quote from: "Ernie Ball"Quote from: "Darth Paul"Quote from: "Ernie Ball"A few people in this thread have said that this or that wax is hard or easy ot remove.
A question: how does one remove wax?
Clay bar removes everything. You need to wax and then polish afterwards.
I'm pretty sure that you should polish first and wax (or use a sealant) afterwards. Polish, if I'm not mistaken, not only cleans but is slightly abrasive.
In fact, although I put two coats of Super Resin Polish on when I did the car last week, I'm not convinced that the second coat is worth doing, since it may just be rubbing off the first. I think one coat followed by the Extra Gloss Protectant should be enough.
Yep, my bad – tis the other way round.
Planning to blitz mine with the Quik Clay for the first time this weekend! Looking forward to seeing a completely different astral black mr2 when i have finished!
Very impressed with this quik clay stuff. I`m amazed at the amount of dirt it gets off my 2, even after just having had a wash, love the smooth to touch finish it leaves. Here`s a few pics I took once I`d finshed, couldn`t resist as its the cleanest my 2`s been since picking her from new s:D :D s:D s:D :D s:D
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/funkymonkeymr2/ROC/Clean21.jpg)
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/funkymonkeymr2/ROC/Clean22.jpg)
Also I painted the calipers yesterday, scary experience, praying all the time I was doing it that I didn`t cock up
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/funkymonkeymr2/ROC/Clean23.jpg)
The engine bay was very rough before using the clay bar... Nice n smooth now s:D :D s:D
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/funkymonkeymr2/ROC/Clean25.jpg)
Infact the car was that shiny that the cat couldn`t look directly at it s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Overall I`m very happy with the end result. Think a nice blast through the country lanes is in order s:) :) s:)
Looks stunning mate.
Cheers matey s:) :) s:)
Just a word of warning though. Don`t go bragging about how clean it is to your girlfriend, cos she`ll have you out there doing her one too s:( :( s:(
Spent 3 hours cleaning up a Gold Citroen C3 yesterday, not so much fun when it`s not your own car
Quote from: "FunkyMonkey"Cheers matey s:) :) s:)
Just a word of warning though. Don`t go bragging about how clean it is to your girlfriend, cos she`ll have you out there doing her one too s:( :( s:(
Spent 3 hours cleaning up a Gold Citroen C3 yesterday, not so much fun when it`s not your own car
But I'm sure she made it worth your while matey s:wink: :wink: s:wink: One good deed deserves another and all that.