Where do I start?

[coopns]

02 Camry. I waxed it last year but didn't clay bar, just washed it up with the kids and quickly threw some wax (Meguiars)on. It does have some pretty minor scratches. I don't know where to start. Please advise.

1. Wash
2. Clay bar (any specific type?)
3. Wax

 

[sasilverbullet]

1. What color is it?
2. If you can provide some detailed pics that would help.

Claying it will not fix scratches, those will need to be buffed/wet-sanded out. Need pics to provide recommendations.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
1. What color is it?
2. If you can provide some detailed pics that would help.

Claying it will not fix scratches, those will need to be buffed/wet-sanded out. Need pics to provide recommendations.


Minor scratches shouldn't need wetsanding to correct. Typically you can get away with a good polish (such as meguiars ultimate compound or scratch-x) and then throw a wax on it. Claying will remove surface containiments which will help the durability of the wax but depending the agressiveness or technique used in claying, it can cause scratches. I recommend polishing after a clay to ensure a scratch free surface perfect for waxing!

 

[AdamL]

Wash, clay (chinese ebay clay works fine), polish, sealant. I use rejex. Don't bother with wax. Depending on the scratches, though, hand polishing may not do the trick pics would be useful. If you're looking for a quicker solution, try klasse aio.

 

[RTexasF]

What is it that you are trying to accomplish? Close to a perfect finish? Get it looking good enough to sell? Just make it look better? All of these would require different chemicals and tools to bring about. Be specific if you would and that would help with advice.

 

[coopns]

Just trying to clean it up a bit, not perfect. I got some klasse aio, works super! Minor scratches disappeared. So don't wax after? I have some Meguires.

 

[wn1998]

Classe AIO is great! If you want to top coat with some meguiars, that's fine but not really necessary. I have found that most meguiars waxes (gold class, cleaner wax) don't last but a few weeks.

I'd clay bar the entire car and than try to put two coats of the klasse on as late in the year as possible to protect your finish from the winter and salt.

 

[coopns]

I checked AZ for Claybars today, both were 19 and change. Can't remember the name.

Any claybar recommendations? Is that what a decent one costs?

 

[joaks]

Go with the Megs white clay that comes as a kit. They usually have that and the mothers clay. You get more clay with mothers but is supposedly not as good.

 

[wn1998]

Originally Posted By: joaks
Go with the Megs white clay that comes as a kit. They usually have that and the mothers clay. You get more clay with mothers but is supposedly not as good.


Walmart carries the meg kit for about $20. It comes with everything you need.

 

[bretfraz]

Most of the clay bar products are the same so the brand is not that important. Mothers, Meguiars, 3M, Clay Magic are all pretty close in performance. Buy and use the one you like best.

The company that holds the US patent to paint detailing clay is the parent company of Clay Magic. Everyone either buys from them or pays them a hefty royalty.

You'll need detail spray to use as a lubricant. Most kits come with it. One bar of clay should do several cars unless they're really crusted with crud.

Don't over think this. It's just detailing clay. Buy a good product, use it, and move on to the next step, which is A LOT more important.

 

[user52165]

Litlle if any difference in clay bars and kits but they vary in size. Get the one with the largest - some have 2 bars (which doesn't mean it's more). Look for the total weight of the clay.

 

[coopns]

What should I wash with? I got Megiars Kit today. So you just rub the clay bar do you?

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: user52165
Litlle if any difference in clay bars and kits but they vary in size. Get the one with the largest - some have 2 bars (which doesn't mean it's more). Look for the total weight of the clay.


+1 Claymagic has the sole rights to claybar so any other company that makes a claybar is essentialls the same. Just varying in size and agressiveness. DIYers should not have to buy anything agressive as most of the time it is not necessary. Stick to a light clay (sold in most packages.)

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: coopns
What should I wash with? I got Megiars Kit today. So you just rub the clay bar do you?


Wash it with any regular car soap. I rinse the vehicle then clay the car using the lube provided (or diluted car soap in a spray bottle) and rub in the same direction for the entire body panel. Make sure the surface has plenty of lube as it will scratch up the paint otherwise. After the surface feels smooth I rewash the panels and rinse/dry. That way all the contaminants are washed off the surface leaving you a clean surface to polish/wax

I usually will rip my bar in half, put the other in a baggy with lube in it and kneed the other half and put it in the palm of my hand while working. If the bar falls on the ground, THROW IT OUT! it will only harm your car. That's why I break mine in two so I wont be stuck without clay in the middle of claying.