Anyone ever claybar the whole car ? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Maverick1776 · 03-22-2016, 11:36 PM

Today I clayed my whole car. Using mother's clay kit. Took a while, but the results are ridiculous. Water beads off the surface with ease.
I have had the car for 3 years now, and have never waxed it once. Probably a bad thing, especially after seeing the result from clay. Got rid of all the tough spots that wouldn't wash away with a normal wash.
I'll upload pics tomorrow, because it got dark already.

Going forward, does anyone have recommendations on how to maintain the shine ? What products, etc...
I usually use mother branded products.

gennro · 03-22-2016, 11:39 PM

I just did a he same earlier except I polished and waxed with my buffer.

Maverick1776 · 03-22-2016, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gennro

I just did a he same earlier except I polished and waxed with my buffer.

Nice, wish I knew how to properly use a buffer. I'm too afraid to try.
A friend of mine had a plum colored 2011' 370Z. He, buffed it, and had swirl marks left behind. Really bad mistake.

DonM · 03-23-2016, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick1776

Nice, wish I knew how to properly use a buffer. I'm too afraid to try.
A friend of mine had a plum colored 2011' 370Z. He, buffed it, and had swirl marks left behind. Really bad mistake.

Lose the fear and get a PC-variety random orbital buffer, it's basically fool-proof and very difficult to harm paint with. I'm willing to bet your friend used a rotary buffer, which is difficult to use and dangerous to the paint for a beginner trying to use it.

scandata · 03-23-2016, 03:41 AM

1: Welcome to the world of detailing!

You've seen what claying can do. Once you get going with added methods of making your baby shine, you'll get hooked - I know I did!

2: I've used the Mothers kit too, and it gives great results. There's another product called a Speedy Prep Towel that does the same thing but is a whole lot quicker. You can do a full-sized car in about an hour.

3: You should definitely put at least wax on top of that clay job. Not only to add protection, but it will enhance the shine. Enhance it further by following up with a coat of detail spray (spray it on, wipe it off; takes about 15 minutes to do the whole car).

4: I was scared of using a buffer too, but I found that the fear was unnecessary. Chances are, your friend used a more abrasive pad than needed and didn't follow with a finer one, and/or didn't use a fine enough polish. Like the others said, use a DA polisher (Porter Cable is a popular brand), and you won't have any trouble.

If you want links to any of these products, just ask. There are plenty of great resources here at C5!

68rssscamaro · 03-23-2016, 08:23 AM

It is a nasty task, but found a better way to clay the car down, that is after washing it when it is still wet, with the help of some product to go along it went much easier. If you go to http://adamspolishes.com/ and watch some of the videos they can be very helpful.

JDP Sales · 03-23-2016, 09:05 AM

I ONLY claybar my cars. I will never put an orbital polisher on my paint unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Swirls are forever, like herpes. I claybar both mine and my wife's car every spring to get rid of all the contaminants and crap from the winter. Time consuming but the end results are second to none.

All the best,

Jared Royce
801.545.4215

BAD DAB · 03-23-2016, 10:13 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't claying your car strip all the protection off of your paint? I was told you should polish and wax immediately after using the clay bar. I thought using the clay bar prepares your paint for polish and wax?

vinman · 03-23-2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus1dab

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't claying your car strip all the protection off of your paint? I was told you should polish and wax immediately after using the clay bar. I thought using the clay bar prepares your paint for polish and wax?

Yes, I use dawn to strip the wax while I wash it then the clay bar gets the contaminants embedded in the paint out, then polish, then protect

DILLIGAF · 03-23-2016, 10:41 AM

I always do a stripping wash with either dawn dish soap or a capfull or two of adams APC before claying. I only clay when I am prepared to do a whole exterior detail.
1. Strip Wash
2. Clay Bar
3. Polish
4. Seal
5. Wax

shnormo · 03-23-2016, 10:42 AM

If you like the "over the counter" clay bars, try Clay Magic's. They have several different levels of aggressiveness and works more efficiently than Mother's or Maguire's systems. Readily available at places like Painter's Supply or Auto Value that sells paint.

Yes clay bar will open all the pores in the paint and remove oxidation (depending on level of aggressiveness) and it is recommended to seal or wax when finished.

I wash with dawn dish soap first, clay, then wax as long as there are no imperfections that need to be addressed.

Adam's Polishes · 03-23-2016, 01:39 PM

I agree now you need to apply a sealant or wax to help protect your paint from contaminants and water spots. Did you clay your glass too?

Joe M 2012 2SS · 03-23-2016, 04:29 PM

If your going to stay with Mothers, Id use the syn wax first. This is their most durable product, but the durability is low, 3-4 months. You can top it with their pure Brazilian carnauba wax.

Carnauba waxes have a melting point around 180*f , in the hot Florida summer sun, wax can begin to evaporate pretty quickly.

Sealants have melting points around 300*f, and provide better UV protection and durability. Sonus Ion paint coating is easy to use and lasts 8-12 months.

For a fast and effective lighter sealant, as a topper to your main sealant, Adams H2O Guard & Gloss. This product is used on the paint as well as all the black plastic trim. It provides excellent UV protection and lasts 2-3 months, it only takes 15 minutes to apply. Adds a good amount of gloss to the finish as well.

For the best shine, as others have mentioned, polishing with a RO polisher is how to make your paint look the best. It's easy to do, just very time consuming on your first time, because you have to compound first to remove swirls/scratches, and finish to produce high gloss.

After your initial job is complete, future polishing will require only finishing polish, provided you wash/dry the car correctly. Most all of the damage to clear coat paint is due to improper washing/drying.

snarky · 03-23-2016, 04:42 PM

i've never used the clay bar but my brother insists i should. i told him my paint is new and i have always taken excellent care. i wax every 3 months using the season change dates as a reminder.
i did just break out the meguiars polish for a wash, polish & wax this past weekend. it is worth it. polish makes a big difference. i finished up with zymol creame. i also use adams americana as my alternate.
the downside? you have to REALLY love this. it took me SEVEN hours to do both cars. ( exterior only )

. and that was without a serious wheel detail which i did the next day.
i understand why people don't care to have their arm fall off. but it is worth it to me.
oh - and rain-x for the windshield - a great product that lives up to the claims.
and no orbital polisher I use my hand.

03-22-2016, 11:36 PM	#1
Maverick1776 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 187	Anyone ever claybar the whole car ? Today I clayed my whole car. Using mother's clay kit. Took a while, but the results are ridiculous. Water beads off the surface with ease. I have had the car for 3 years now, and have never waxed it once. Probably a bad thing, especially after seeing the result from clay. Got rid of all the tough spots that wouldn't wash away with a normal wash. I'll upload pics tomorrow, because it got dark already. Going forward, does anyone have recommendations on how to maintain the shine ? What products, etc... I usually use mother branded products.

03-23-2016, 03:41 AM	#5
scandata Drives: 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Green Edtn Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 1,284	1: Welcome to the world of detailing! You've seen what claying can do. Once you get going with added methods of making your baby shine, you'll get hooked - I know I did! 2: I've used the Mothers kit too, and it gives great results. There's another product called a Speedy Prep Towel that does the same thing but is a whole lot quicker. You can do a full-sized car in about an hour. 3: You should definitely put at least wax on top of that clay job. Not only to add protection, but it will enhance the shine. Enhance it further by following up with a coat of detail spray (spray it on, wipe it off; takes about 15 minutes to do the whole car). 4: I was scared of using a buffer too, but I found that the fear was unnecessary. Chances are, your friend used a more abrasive pad than needed and didn't follow with a finer one, and/or didn't use a fine enough polish. Like the others said, use a DA polisher (Porter Cable is a popular brand), and you won't have any trouble. If you want links to any of these products, just ask. There are plenty of great resources here at C5! __________________ 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Edition Green Flash (2015 - present) 2014 1LT vert, Blue Ray Metallic (2014 - 2015) Last edited by scandata; 03-24-2016 at 12:19 PM.

03-23-2016, 08:23 AM	#6
68rssscamaro Camaro: A Legend Reborn!! Drives: SOLD: 12 2SS/RS LS3 45th Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY Posts: 743 View My Garage	It is a nasty task, but found a better way to clay the car down, that is after washing it when it is still wet, with the help of some product to go along it went much easier. If you go to http://adamspolishes.com/ and watch some of the videos they can be very helpful. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

03-23-2016, 10:13 AM	#8
BAD DAB Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Black & Silver Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 8,228 View My Garage	Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't claying your car strip all the protection off of your paint? I was told you should polish and wax immediately after using the clay bar. I thought using the clay bar prepares your paint for polish and wax? __________________ STAINLESS WORKS HEADERS-TUNED BY JANNETTY RACING-C.A.I. INTAKE-TAYLOR 409 WIRES-SOLO AXLE BACK EXHAUST-ELITE CATCH CAN

03-23-2016, 10:41 AM	#10
DILLIGAF Drives: 2023 ZL1 M6 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 357 View My Garage	I always do a stripping wash with either dawn dish soap or a capfull or two of adams APC before claying. I only clay when I am prepared to do a whole exterior detail. 1. Strip Wash 2. Clay Bar 3. Polish 4. Seal 5. Wax __________________ 2023 Rapid Blue ZL1 M6 \| Corsa NPP \| Corsa Carbon Fiber Intake \| Hardwired Valentine1 Gen 2 \| Pro Clip Phone Mount \|

03-22-2016, 11:39 PM	#2
gennro Drives: 2011 Black 2SS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	I just did a he same earlier except I polished and waxed with my buffer.

03-23-2016, 09:05 AM	#7
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	I ONLY claybar my cars. I will never put an orbital polisher on my paint unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Swirls are forever, like herpes. I claybar both mine and my wife's car every spring to get rid of all the contaminants and crap from the winter. Time consuming but the end results are second to none. All the best, Jared Royce 801.545.4215

03-23-2016, 10:42 AM	#11
shnormo Drives: 2010 1SS Camaro Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 75	If you like the "over the counter" clay bars, try Clay Magic's. They have several different levels of aggressiveness and works more efficiently than Mother's or Maguire's systems. Readily available at places like Painter's Supply or Auto Value that sells paint. Yes clay bar will open all the pores in the paint and remove oxidation (depending on level of aggressiveness) and it is recommended to seal or wax when finished. I wash with dawn dish soap first, clay, then wax as long as there are no imperfections that need to be addressed.

03-23-2016, 01:39 PM	#12
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	I agree now you need to apply a sealant or wax to help protect your paint from contaminants and water spots. Did you clay your glass too?

03-23-2016, 04:29 PM	#13
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	If your going to stay with Mothers, Id use the syn wax first. This is their most durable product, but the durability is low, 3-4 months. You can top it with their pure Brazilian carnauba wax. Carnauba waxes have a melting point around 180f , in the hot Florida summer sun, wax can begin to evaporate pretty quickly. Sealants have melting points around 300f, and provide better UV protection and durability. Sonus Ion paint coating is easy to use and lasts 8-12 months. For a fast and effective lighter sealant, as a topper to your main sealant, Adams H2O Guard & Gloss. This product is used on the paint as well as all the black plastic trim. It provides excellent UV protection and lasts 2-3 months, it only takes 15 minutes to apply. Adds a good amount of gloss to the finish as well. For the best shine, as others have mentioned, polishing with a RO polisher is how to make your paint look the best. It's easy to do, just very time consuming on your first time, because you have to compound first to remove swirls/scratches, and finish to produce high gloss. After your initial job is complete, future polishing will require only finishing polish, provided you wash/dry the car correctly. Most all of the damage to clear coat paint is due to improper washing/drying. __________________ Roto-Fab intake, SW 1 7/8" LT w/hi flow cats, Flowmaster outlaw exhaust, UDP, 160* stat, Circle D 3200, Moroso catch can, TCI line lock, Zex Nitrous 125 shot, 3.91 gear, Eaton True-trac, DSS 1000hp axles.

03-23-2016, 04:42 PM	#14
snarky ultracrepidarianism Drives: '14 1SS/RS/1LE/NPP '18 Accord Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: where folks drive like shit Posts: 1,297	i've never used the clay bar but my brother insists i should. i told him my paint is new and i have always taken excellent care. i wax every 3 months using the season change dates as a reminder. i did just break out the meguiars polish for a wash, polish & wax this past weekend. it is worth it. polish makes a big difference. i finished up with zymol creame. i also use adams americana as my alternate. the downside? you have to REALLY love this. it took me SEVEN hours to do both cars. ( exterior only ) . and that was without a serious wheel detail which i did the next day. i understand why people don't care to have their arm fall off. but it is worth it to me. oh - and rain-x for the windshield - a great product that lives up to the claims. and no orbital polisher I use my hand. __________________