Clay away - You'll be impressed !

[sirocco]

Originally Posted by Green Cloverleaf

Sounds good to me, but:

1. The finish I achieved with Autoglym SRP was visibly inferior to the finish I got with the Turtlewax

2. Can you recommend a suitable wax to use after the Autoglym SRP to give me the finish I am after?

SRP is strictly a polish not a wax (HUGE difference) so once buffed off there should be nothing left sitting on your paintwork. Which is why a wax should be applied afterwards (which even when "buffed-off" still leaves a layer on the surface for protection and for lustre value too). The Turtlewax colour magic is neither of these and is really just a car make-up that offers no protection.
There are a lot of good carnauba waxes on the market (and prices differ dramatically). Collinite 476s is a very good wax that is VERY durable (so if you don't have a lot of time on your hands). Also, Poorboy's waxes, Chemical Guy's, Victoria waxes, Pinnacle (I use the souveran) are all very good waxes, and then there is Zymol (premium stuff - but you pay for it). Here is a good online store for car detailing supplies:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/cat_4.html
Also, it's important when applying the SRP to have a decent applicator pad. A german applicator pad suits this task well.

[Alfie GTV]

I have used all sorts of waxes and polishes, but now i use the old simonize carnauba wax and a damp cloth.It's hard work but with a decent microfibre cloth (not the thin ones) it gives a fantastic shine and lasts much longer than Autoglym and such and It also only costs about £6.

[mikeyw]

Originally Posted by Probusterrace

As far as I am aware the clay is not an abrasive as such and there is no need to polish afterwards but it does promote easier polishing/waxing because the surface is smoother and the polish or wax applies more easily.

Am I missing sometghing here ? - I thought the whole idea of clay was the fact that it is a gentle abrasive and takes off the residue built up over the years......by it's very nature i assume it will take the last coat of polish / wax as well ?

I'd have thought the first thing to do after claying is to polish/wax to protect the newly exposed paintwork !!

[Probusterrace]

Originally Posted by mikeyw

Am I missing sometghing here ? - I thought the whole idea of clay was the fact that it is a gentle abrasive and takes off the residue built up over the years......by it's very nature i assume it will take the last coat of polish / wax as well ?

I'd have thought the first thing to do after claying is to polish/wax to protect the newly exposed paintwork !!

I'm by no means an expert, having only used the stuff twice so far, but it's more like the built up cr@p sticks to the clay rather than being rubbed off through abrasion. If the clay removed wax in any great quanntity then you'd be forever replacing the clay. As it is, after the first time I did it, the clay is covered in the little specs of residue it's removed and you continually have to turn it over and remould it like putty to produce a clean face.

When you try it you'll see what I mean about the lack of apparent abrasiveness. This is because you use it with a lubricant and the clay literally glides over the surface of the paint. You apply very little pressure and it still gets the bonded cr@p off the paint. There's no hard rubbing involved.

I've only used one type of clay so far so I can't comment on the level of abrasiveness of the Megs stuff or on the more abrasive products on the market, but they are supposed to be used as just one step in the full cleaning process. Therefore I would normally expect to polish and wax after claying anyway - not particularly because the clay has removed any wax but more because the whole process is fairly time consuming, is likely to be done roughly once a quarter and the wax would need re-applying anyway.

[Gilbertr14]

Here are some pics done.

They had to do a complete respray, as the ***** a work dumped paint on it.
Then Meguiars show finish.
This is the wet look.

[sirocco]

Lovely colour & great finish mate.

[Wrenched]

For an instant when I read 'claying' I tought you were going for a full restyle!

[Squadrone Rosso]

Got my megs quick clay kit yesterday but an not well enough to use it

[Nev]

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Got my megs quick clay kit yesterday

SNAP!!!






Can't you get some scouts to do it for you?

[AlfaJack]

I got two (they feel about 100g each) clay bars and a bottle of the lubricant for £20 at AutoItalia, will be giving it a try tomorrow - weather dependant! and a bottle of wax for £10 - never waxed the car, only ever polished it.

[Bodger]

Mine's in the post

[Alfa-Forza]

I bought the megs clay set and used it on the wifes golf. All i can say is AMAZING !!! Cant wait to use it on the Alfa.

[Nev]

Well mine says it's made from kaolin,
so basically it's like giving your car a mudbath.

[Nev]

"...At the GClay Bar, GClay Bar, GClay Bar.."


Well, I'm most impressed with the results.

First time in ages Brera's been this clean.

Very therapeutic, not as much hard work as waxing.

Also, very good hangover cure, so long as you keep
swigging water as well as lubing the bodywork.

[Squadrone Rosso]

What did you put on the paint after the clay treatment Nev

[Nev]

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

What did you put on the paint after the clay treatment Nev

Some AbelAuto Lustreur Which I used to use on the 147
to good effect. Looks shiney!

[Squadrone Rosso]

Originally Posted by Nev

Some AbelAuto Lustreur Which I used to use on the 147
to good effect. Looks shiney!

Pics please then Nev

[THROTTLEMAN]

I've only used clay to do some sculptures. Now I'm tempted to use it with the Alfa.

[AlfaJack]

I did the clay baring on Saturday - its very good, but, you can not see a difference really, but you can certainly feel it big time! It does make the car very dirty though with the lubricant drying very fast, but I waxed it straight after and got a nice finish

[Nev]

Originally Posted by AlfaJack

It does make the car very dirty though with the lubricant drying very fast

Not a problem I found using
Meguiars Quik-Detailer Mist & Wipe as the lube.

Just wiped off with no fuss.


(Infact I wiped down each panel before claying.)

[NeilB]

I put a clay bar over my car about 9 weeks ago, after 123,000 miles in 4 years it certainly needed it as the paint work was like sandpaper in places. After doing the whole car I then done the full polish, sealant, glaze and wax treatment. Took 8 hours but was well worth it.

[Lord Melch]

Ladies and Gents, budding detailers one and all.

A few definitive links :

1st : THE car cleaning guide :

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27

Which is also a wicked site for all your cleaning needs.

Also their forum where some pro detailers reside :

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/

I was lucky to find it, and now have two buckets (one with grit guard) (for two bucket wash technique), two mitts (one for top/sides of car and one for lower), Sonus "Der Wunder" drying towels - miles better than a chamois -, a couple of different Megs shampoos various MF cloths, Poorboys wheel sealant, wheel cleaning brushes and some Megs UQD.

Leather cleaner etc on it's way..

You have been warned

[armoore]

Originally Posted by Nev

Some AbelAuto Lustreur Which I used to use on the 147
to good effect. Looks shiney!

I've a number of these from AbelAuto which I've purchased in French supermarkets. Smells, looks and works just like Mer. Therefore I use it sparingly. It works well on my red 33. Tend to use Meq's for the black GTV followed by Race Glaze carnuba wax.

[Oelholm]

Originally Posted by Lord Melch

Ladies and Gents, budding detailers one and all.

A few definitive links :

1st : THE car cleaning guide :

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27

- Sorry, you got that wrong, it should be http://autopia.org/

These guys will knock your socks off.

[Lord Melch]

Nope still the deffo car wash guide..

Originally Posted by Oelholm

- Sorry, you got that wrong, it should be http://autopia.org/

These guys will knock your socks off.

Ahh the Americans.. they do love their cars...not much use to order stuff though - postage can be a bit harsh..

Another good site..