This post is part poll and part question/concern.

My Z will be arriving in early April (finally) and I am tempted to purchase a clay kit but have some real concerns. After some research here, Im still stuck in the middle. It seems that some think claying does wonders for removing nasty particles from the car that cant be removed by other products or simple washing. Yet others seem unpleasantly surprised with the results (difficulty in application, difficulty in removal, limited results, possible scratching).

I have some of these same concerns. It seems to me that if just one small particle was picked up by the clay, that you would just be scratching everything else you touched thereafter. Thus making claying a risky alternative. I would appreciate any advice or opinions anyone has on claying.

Lastly, if you have experience or first hand knowledge with claying, please vote in this poll.

Thanks!

xxxx

Thought I would ask one more question since I still have time to edit this message:

Regarding the lubricant that is used with the claybar. Have you guys/gals found something like water to work also -or- should I really spend the extra $$ to get this special "clay lubricant"? Since Im already spending $35000 on the car, surely another $10 wont set me back too much.

 

I had never "clayed" before. I got the clay with my Zaino kit. I didn't even know what it looked like. Thanks always go to Ed, our Zaino dealer for the clear instructions.

It was not hard to do. Specially since the car was new and very clean so the clay didn't have that much work to do.

The one I got from Ed is a small piece of "playdo" looking stuff about the size of a thin bar of soap. WHat I did, after washing the car with dawn, I started going over it with the clay. You strech it out and fold it over. The hard part is hanging on to it with your fingers. I also had a spary bottle with diluted water and dawn in it, to keep the area I was working on wet. The clay slides over the areas that are clean and seems to "stick" to unclean areas, so you just rub it a little until it slides again.

Even on the first try, it only took about 20 minutes to do the whole car. The clay ended up a little dirty, black material probably picked up on the lower sections of the car.

So far, I have done the inital dawn wash, then clay, then Z1, then Z2, and now two weeks later I washed it with the Zaino soak and applied a second Z2. The car looks great. Maybe it is not "show" level, but it shines more than any other car I have ever had.

To your questions, you don't "apply it" and "remove it", it is more like a hard to hang on to sponge.

Results, it seemed to pick up stuff even when I thought my car was clean.

Scratching? I was told to make sure to strech and fold over. Since I did this after the wash, I don't think it would have picked up any sand or dirt, mostly grease/tar. It goes back to the quality of the wash...

I for one am happy with the results.

 

Is it ok to clay the Z the day I pick it up?

 

first timer opinion? Sure.

I did this at two weeks old with me, but the car was built back in August 2002...

What I can't stress strong enough is you need to start with the cleanest car you ever had. I washed, rinsed, dryed, rinsed and THEN I started the clay work. It still came out gry/dark with smudges from oil and tar, etc...

Others with more knowledge might disagree. I am NOT an expert.

 

What the heck is there to clay (remove) on a brand new Zzzz?

What am I missing?

 

Think about everything they've been exposed on the way to the nissan dealer.

 

If the car is super clean, the clay slides right over and it takes but a few minutes, so why not?

If it does find something it just takes a few swipes to get it out. And you have an extra clean car to lay your Zaino (or wax of choice) on.

I see little (nothing?) to loose.

 

I don't see how some mess up using the clay bar actually.

Spray a small area (half the hood for example) with some Quick Detailer and wipe a flattened clay bar back and forth. No hard pressure necessary. Wipe with a clean towel to pick up the excess spray after going over the area.

You will definitely be able to tell a difference in the before and after if you take a Zip-Lock bag use it to brush over the car with your finger. This is the only way you will be able to feel the fine particles the bar is picking up.

 

Look at this pic and you'll see why you still need to clay even a brand new car. There is obviously a lot of dust/dirt in the bottom of the Nissan ship and the back of a car carrier. Remember, it's a LONG way from Opama!


My Claybar after use on NEW 350Z

As others have already said, it is VERY easy to do, almost effortless. You just have to make sure you don't drop the claybar. If you do, get another one! You have to make sure you continue to knead the clay as you run it over the car. Always make sure you have a fresh surface to use on the car.

I used a dilute mixture of water and Dawn as lubricant when I did my Stealth and the Zaino Z-7 carwash when I did the Z.

Go to this thread for all the details:

The Zaino Experiment II

 

Depending on how well you want to take care of your car, use it.

I always use Meguiar's clay bar with quick detalier as a lubricant. I am not that impressed with Zaino (calm down everyone). A friend uses it on his BMW 330ci and it looks good, but for all the steps, dry time and as much hassle as it is I don't see any difference with mine.

Here's my protocol for my '03 350Z and '00 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Jeep looks like new three later.

1. Wash thoroughly, Dry
2. Meguiar's Clay with quick detailer (removes the physical contaminants form the surface)
3. Meguiar's paint cleaner (removes the chemical contaminants form the surface)
4. Meguiar's polisher (provides a deep shine to surface)
5. Meguiar's carnuba wax (2 coats to protect all other steps)

If you wash then wax, you will be trapping all of the contaminants in the paint, BAD IDEA.

 

The only problem I've seen people have claying have been with some people having a problem with the Meguiar's bars sticking. I've used a Meguiar bar with no problem, so it may be a function of how well lubricated it stays.

As to the difference from Meguiars to Zaino in waxes, I've used both, and the Zaino is easier on/off, and lasts MUCH longer, especially over the carnuba wax (which doesn't last long at all in the summer for me). The Zaino doesn't have to be put on with a gazzillion coats. I'd say you'd have less work with 3 or 4 Zaino stages than with your three Meguiars coats, which are harder to remove completely (I've used them both, and this is my experience).

I don't think putting on 12 coats of Zaino is anywhere near necessary.

Back to the clay, there is a noticable difference even on new cars when you use it. Do the saran wrap covered finger test to see

 

can i get a clay bar from chain stores?? like Target, or Kragen, or Pep boys??

 

UUMMMMMMMMM, May the Force forgive this misguided young Jedi

 

Reckless is he...

 

Rest assured I mean this in the kindess possible way but I think ya all are a couple cards short of a full deck with regard to this shine stuff!!

 

I think they just have a weird fetish

 

I am not a "shine addict". Seems like a lot of work to me. I just wanted the car clean and reasonably protected, with a nice shine. I do NOT plan to win any awards or show the car. It is my daily driver.

The steps above seemed reasonable for a saturday spent out on the sun with my new toy. Now, after two weeks, I washed and applied layer #2. It might not be perfect or the 25 layers others do, but to me it looks great and it is easy to put on and take off.

 

Wow, what do you use to dilute water?!?

 

 

Chain stores only sells the kit, not clay only. Meguiar's customer service can direct you to a specialty paint store near you that carrys the clay individually or buy it from Zaino.

I've seen them on the shelf at a specialty paint stores of 3"(lenghth)x2"(Wide)x1/8"(Thick) clay for about $11 - $14.