ashyk36 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 what is the best clay bar to use? taking into account the car has never been clayed before. Thank youuuu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I bought this in halfords, worked a treat http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Smooth-Surface-Clay-Kit/dp/B001G1DZTU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1326474115&sr=8-5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveRS Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 +1 on Meguiars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 +2 on Meguires, all amazon ratings for the Meg's claybar are really high. I've got one just need to set aside the best part of a day to do the full monty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy P Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Sorry to hijack the thread in spectacular fashion, but after a rub down with a clay bar is it okay to wax immediately? I am a complete rube when it comes to good car cleaning techniques... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I couldn't take to the Meguiars claybar, found it failed to perform as well as the Autoglym clay. Regarding process after claybar, you can leave the car for waxing as you've used a detailing lubrication. Although I have on the odd occasion given it a once over with the snowfoam before waxing. As long as you've cleared the bodywork of all lubrication residue you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy P Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Regarding process after claybar, you can leave the car for waxing as you've used a detailing lubrication. Although I have on the odd occasion given it a once over with the snowfoam before waxing. As long as you've cleared the bodywork of all lubrication residue you'll be fine. Thanks Wasso! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshirelad Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Meguiars clay kit is pretty good, I've used it on previous cars with good results, it's expensive though for the amount of clay you get. Bilt hamber clay is also highly rated on detailing world, comes in medium and soft and is much better value - I've just bought myself some soft as apparently it's easier to mould in colder weather. Also, you can use water with the Bilt Hamber, whereas you need to use lube/detailing spray with the Megs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Love the sonus clay bar and lube - is a dream to use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Envy Valeting Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I generally use either the Meguiars one or Dodo Juice Gentle grey. Autobrite-Direct have brought out a new green one that seems quite good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashyk36 Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 thanks guys :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbaz193672 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I have used the Meguiars kit, then the Meguiars 3 part system always comes up good, I am about to run out so may try the G3 range and see what they are like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveRS Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I'm going on an autobrite detailing course on the 18th feb and will be using and purchasing some of there products on the day. I will let you know what I think of there clay bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mctwist Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Personally the only clay bar products i've ever used is turtle wax ICE liquid clay bar and Bilt Hamber Auto Clay. The reason is, i used to do a lot of detailing by hand and to clay, polish and wax a car would take all day. Leaving the car wet saves so much time, so i wash, clay, then wax (all when the car is wet). Personally, i've found no benefit to polishing before waxing, unless you're using compound with a machine to remove scratches. Since its cold out, i use the Bilt Hamber Soft Auto clay. The Auto Clay is designed to work with only water as a lubricant. It works brilliantly and costs about £12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 +1 for Bilt Hamber. Probably the biggest bar per £ out there. Although you can use just water with it, I prefer to put a spot of quality car wash in my spray bottle to help it glide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashyk36 Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 so before you clay with meguiars you need to dry the car? and do you wash the car again after claying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siman350z Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I use megs clay bar and my detailing obsessed brother does the same. Certainly need a thorough wash before and I usually then dry, apply auto glym tar remover to worst affected areas (near wheel arches etc) which takes a lot of the tar spots off easily and cheaply. Then sponge/ rinse these areas and re dry. Clay the whole car one panel at a time with the spray they privide, although I find it runs out easily and any 'quick detailer' spray will do the job with the clay fine- it just needs to wet the surface. After claying the paint surface is essentially 'naked' with all dirt/ residue/ previous wax etc removed so I move straight onto waxing- often giving two coats as you're coming up from this 'bare' state. Two thumbs up for Mer's HYBRID wax after the claybar (which I do every few months). It's only about £20 a bottle and is the best wax i've used so far. It claims to last for six months although any longer than a month in winter is appreciated! This winter, despite all that the paint gets thrown at it, after a basic wash it's gone back to a gleaming shine every time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I use Megs blue bar, which you won't find in Halfrauds et al, I get it online. It's possibly no better than others out there (for the most part a clay is a clay is a clay IMHO, assuming we're comparing a fine clay with a fine one and a heavier one with a heavier one), but the small plastic tub you get to keep it in is worth the slight premium and you do get a substantial size bar to use. In theory you should wash, dry, clay, wash, dry, prep/repair, wax. If I'm honest though I rarely wash again after the clay as you should be using a hell of a lot of detailer when claying anyway, and having been to one of the Megs days that Tim organises I now know that you really have to use a lot of detailer! If you're going to go to the effort of claying a car, and you really should, then you may as well run something like DJ Lime Prime or a polish of your choice before putting a coat or two of your favourite wax on, as the final finish is noticeably better. I had a free sample of the Mer Hybrid wax so popped it on the truck to see how well it would hold up, and tbh I didn't find it particularly great in terms of lasting. Okay, so it was on a works vehicle that does take some abuse, but I would've expected a bit more from it. It was certainly no better than any of the coloured waxes from DJ that I normally use on my other vehicles (previous Zed included), and I'd still stick with a good harder wax than a liquid one. All IMHO, YMMV etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Mer never liked the stuff. Agreed with the hard wax, find it lasts way longer than liquid and provides a far better deeper gloss shine, especially the Dodo Supernatural, love the stuff. I've had my tub nearly 2 years now and only half way through it, and that includes using it on customer cars as well. Very good value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Never tried the Supernatural as I jumped from the DJ ship to the Swissvax one for waxes, but given how impressive the DJ coloured waxes are I suspect the Supernatural stuff is very good indeed. If I can ever get hold of a sample pot from somewhere I'd love to give it a try, all places seem to be sold out sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Envy Valeting Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 ^Not checked with me then Dan? I know I have 2 sample pots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 ^Not checked with me then Dan? I know I have 2 sample pots! You'll love it Dan - best wax by far - until something else I try which betters it's performance, application and overall presentation. (Smells nice too ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 ^Not checked with me then Dan? I know I have 2 sample pots! I knew that would happen! Must admit I haven't checked any sites since before Xmas, but I'll pop over to your website now Tim and grab one, thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 ^Not checked with me then Dan? I know I have 2 sample pots! I knew that would happen! Must admit I haven't checked any sites since before Xmas, but I'll pop over to your website now Tim and grab one, thanks for the heads up. +1 on Tims sample pots - it last for ages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 All ordered, be interesting to see how it comes up against the Zuffenhousen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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