Detailing.

[SHOspazz92]

The 89 has unfortunately had to shit outside since we took ownership in January. Luckily the car gets a garage in August. Anyways, I'd like to clean it up some, The sides of the car looks great of course but the Hood, Roof and Trunk are looking a little Dull. Not only that but the paint is contaminated with Dirt/Water stains from being snowed on, Having the snow dry...rain etc....A simple was does not get it out. To get that Dirt off, Is a Clay bar what I want to be using?

I know there are great Claybars online but I would prefer to just grab a product from a local Auto store...etc. Thanks for any input.

-Sam

 

[someguy35]

The 89 has unfortunately had to shit outside since we took ownership in January. Luckily the car gets a garage in August. Anyways, I'd like to clean it up some, The sides of the car looks great of course but the Hood, Roof and Trunk are looking a little Dull. Not only that but the paint is contaminated with Dirt/Water stains from being snowed on, Having the snow dry...rain etc....A simple was does not get it out. To get that Dirt off, Is a Clay bar what I want to be using?

I know there are great Claybars online but I would prefer to just grab a product from a local Auto store...etc. Thanks for any input.

-Sam

 

[Sholovenothate]

I bought the Mequires clay bar for mine, comes with 2 bars, cleaner, wax, cloths. Made my car look like it was brand new again. I've had alot of people commenting on how nice the paint job is since i've done it. Got it at autozone.

 

[K-Dawg]

I think the Meguiar's clay bar is sufficient. Check Autogeek's forum for more learning.

 

[frosho]

I use the Meguiar's kit too. It works great. Takes a lot of elbow grease if you're trying to get every speck of brake dust out of the paint, but it gets the job done.

 

[Off Road SHO]

I vote for the Meguire's kit also.

Tom

 

[platoribs]

Might want to try the 1st step of the McGuier's three step process, see if you can clean it a little bit first, then get the balance with a claybar, instead of gumming up your claybar with loads of crap and ruining it for future use.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Can you still get the "first step'? I thought they disco'ed the 3 step stuff. Ultimate compound was the "cleaner" I found the other day. Maybe you gotta buy it online?

 

[warmonger]

i'm too old for the elbow grease needed for a claybar...i just break out the shop quality buffer,buy the proper pads,tape off the plastic parts and go to town

 

[K-Dawg]

If the clay bar requires elbow grease then you're doing it wrong. You must keep it lubricated, and keep folding it into itself.

 

[frosho]

If you're just looking for a finish that's smooth to the touch, you're right. But if you're trying to remove every last spec of brake dust and all the little rusty stains they leave, it take some muscle. Gotta hit the same spots over and over until they're gone.

The paint color might have something to do with it. On my white car, everything stands out when you look closely. On a darker car the blemishes may be more difficult to see.

 

[warmonger]

^^correct. and thats why i do the buffer,plus its just easier in my eyes

 

[K-Dawg]

If you're just looking for a finish that's smooth to the touch, you're right. But if you're trying to remove every last spec of brake dust and all the little rusty stains they leave, it take some muscle. Gotta hit the same spots over and over until they're gone.

The paint color might have something to do with it. On my white car, everything stands out when you look closely. On a darker car the blemishes may be more difficult to see.

Yeah, I've never done white. Yet.

I just don't like the idea of grinding grit into the paint unnecessarily.

 

[SHOstopper1992]

Mequires clay bar works wonders. A little pricy, but OMG what results.

My buddy used it on his 1995 Toyota Supra where someone used an electric Buffer on it and left swirl marks, made the car look brand new. I was in awh! Although he spend 20 hours on it.... I saw him later on that night and the car looked great!

 

[randy'sho]

I use MOTHER's Clay bar!!! love it.....buy mine at wally world!

 

[Rubix]

I've used the Meguiars and Mothers claybar kits. My vote goes to the sweet California Gold aka Mothers, did a **** of a job on my '99 slo when I did it last

 

[silversho89]

You should not put elbow grease and pressure into using a clay bar. Keep it lubricated and slide it back and forth with a finger on each side. That's all you should have to do with it. Cleaner, polish, then wax. And a sealer if you want. If you use a machine and aren't doing any sort of paint corrections, you can get a nice coat of each step on and off in pretty quickly.

 

[K-Dawg]

FWIW

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...remove-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html

 

[Sholovenothate]

I washed the car before i did this. Make sure to scrub the car down good with a wash cloth or brush before you start with the clay bar. Like they said above, you want a clean car before you start rubbing with the clay bar.

1. Wash car thoroughly
2. Clay bar whole car
3. Wax car to protect it
4. Drink a beer =)

 

[DJSHO91]

I washed the car before i did this. Make sure to scrub the car down good with a wash cloth or brush before you start with the clay bar. Like they said above, you want a clean car before you start rubbing with the clay bar.

1. Wash car thoroughly
2. Clay bar whole car
3. Wax car to protect it
4. Drink a beer =)

Does It have to be in that order, or can #4 become #1?