If you've ever doubted claybar...don't! (PICS)
If you've ever doubted claybar...don't! (PICS)
I *FINALLY* got to spend some time detailing the new car today. I washed it with Meguiars soap, dried it, detailed the engine bay, and then I broke out the Meguiars claybar. Now keep in mind this car came from an Exotic car dealer in south Florida just two weeks ago. They fully detailed the car (so they say) before it was delivered. My car was the cheapest on the lot by almost $40K, everything else was a Lambo/Bently/Aston. These guys know what a clean car looks like.
So here is the claybar prior to starting on the car, nothing special, nice and white and ready to go:
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Now, here is the claybar after working a SINGLE 6"x18" section of the roof:
The paint had so much crap on it that even with LOTS of lubrication (I used Meguiars detail spray), the clay had a tough time sliding. It sounded horrible as I pushed it across the paint, but as I worked the clay back and forth, I could feel/hear the contaminants coming off into the clay. Once the clay ran silently/smoothly across the paint, I wiped the surface clean and moved on to a new section. This was on freshly washed paint, so none of what you see in the second picture is accumulation from driving, etc. that could be removed with soap.
If you've ever doubted the ability of claybar...don't. My car looks 1000 times better after this process. Now I have to get the porter cable and a mild polish on it because this cars paint was so abused. It's got swirls/scratches everywhere.
So here is the claybar prior to starting on the car, nothing special, nice and white and ready to go:
.
.
Now, here is the claybar after working a SINGLE 6"x18" section of the roof:
The paint had so much crap on it that even with LOTS of lubrication (I used Meguiars detail spray), the clay had a tough time sliding. It sounded horrible as I pushed it across the paint, but as I worked the clay back and forth, I could feel/hear the contaminants coming off into the clay. Once the clay ran silently/smoothly across the paint, I wiped the surface clean and moved on to a new section. This was on freshly washed paint, so none of what you see in the second picture is accumulation from driving, etc. that could be removed with soap.
If you've ever doubted the ability of claybar...don't. My car looks 1000 times better after this process. Now I have to get the porter cable and a mild polish on it because this cars paint was so abused. It's got swirls/scratches everywhere.
the results of the claybar really shines after a nice paint cleaning/polishing/waxing.
but the true beauty of the claybar is that after you're done and you run your hand across the surface of the paint, you than realize what smooth paint feels like. there are SO many contaminants that you cannot see with your eye.
but the true beauty of the claybar is that after you're done and you run your hand across the surface of the paint, you than realize what smooth paint feels like. there are SO many contaminants that you cannot see with your eye.
Now that's what i'm talking about Kelly! Won't have to photoshop out the dirt anymore 
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,880
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From: EveryWhere & yet... NoWhere
Yea Kelly, Mike and I were talking about getting your car over for a detailing session yesterday. Mine needs it after 3000 hard miles too..
I have to wash my friends car today anyway. SO I might just hit them up together this afternoon.
--B
I have to wash my friends car today anyway. SO I might just hit them up together this afternoon.
--B
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not bad. I totally need to spend time and clay my car. only problem is i dont have access to a hose so i have to wash my car at the car wash and they come home and clay it. by then its dirty with dust and crap. anyways post pis of before and after clay and poilish....
New Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Yesterday for the first time I used a claybar on my Z. My expectations were low as I always thought claybar was an unneeded extra step. I could not have been more wrong. The claybar before waxing resulted in the smoothest best gloss finish ever. Used Meguiars claybar, detail spray and wax.
Originally Posted by BamBam
Yea Kelly, Mike and I were talking about getting your car over for a detailing session yesterday. Mine needs it after 3000 hard miles too..
I have to wash my friends car today anyway. SO I might just hit them up together this afternoon.
--B
I have to wash my friends car today anyway. SO I might just hit them up together this afternoon.
--B
.I went to Lowes to buy a Porter Cable, but they didn't have one. This paint is going to need some abrasive to get it smooth, then it's a full treatment of Z5 and Z2. Can't wait to get it finished.
I spent a couple of hours detailing the engine bay, installing my short shift-**** and a few other accessories. She looks soooooo much better now.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
Almost every time I clay a car for the first time the owner says something like "do you really need to do that?", I used to explain it to them, now I just smile and clay a second of their roof or hood then hand them the clay, and tell them to run their fingers over the paint. It never fails. 
Originally Posted by elbee
that is an obscene amount of dirt. You havent been washing regularly!