To Clay or Not to CLAY?

[CanadianCamaro]

Originally Posted by SSRS2010

I need to know someing.Can you look for too very small DENTS BY THE FRONT BADGING ON BOTH SIDE FOR ME LOOK AT MY PICS

Can't see what you're referring to. Your car is too shiny

Originally Posted by in a hurry

Yeh, we have very soft paint on these cars,it feels as if its not cured or
dried yet but it is.Be careful when getting bugs off of this kind of paint
it sratches easy!

Don't know what you're talking about. Read this (and other) threads on this forum. The factory paint is baked at very high temperatures. It close to fully cured that it's going to get by time the customer takes delivery. All painted surfaces will scratch easily if not taken care of.

[kingsnakes2LT]

Originally Posted by Moose

I'll "echo" the sentiments above; clay the car. It's truly very easy to do. Just make sure to lubricate the surface as you're claying.

I'd recommend;

1. Wash the car
(its not necessary to dry after the initial washing)

2. While the car is wet, I begin claying, spraying an area about 6" x 6" with a mixture of carwash and water solution, while moving the clay across the surface with minimal pressure. *Check the clay often for debris*

3. Wash the car after claying, and dry.

4. Begin adding coats of Zaino, not to exceed 3 coats in 24 hrs.

The biggest "time consumer" I find is the time needed for the polish to dry, but ZXF will quicken the drying time. As a rule, I generally allow 1 hr. between coats.

Its really not difficult as you'll find once you start.

Please let me know if I can help you along the process.

Ed

Thanks guys and gals for a great thread.
Never bought an ordered car before and had no idea about the Rail Dust until reading this thread.
Always purchased new cars off the lot and had the dealership prep (clean) the car before delivery. I'll be telling my dealer to leave the exterior alone and not wash or wax it before delivery.
I'll claybar it and give it the Zaino treatment as soon as I get her home.
Hope to get the car by late Sept, or early Oct.

Thanks !!

[chrisgalles]

I thought my car was smooth as silk when I ran my fingers down my car. Try getting a little plastic baggy and put your hand in it and then feel your paint. Makes a huge difference.

[JChen]

I've got a couple more weeks until my Camaro arrives but I spend all day yesterday claying our Xterra and Honda... Never clay two cars in one day... I can barely lift my arm. On the upside, the results are absolutely amazing! Looking forward to seeing what it can do to the SIM Camaro.

[hamidar05]

Originally Posted by in a hurry

Yeh, we have very soft paint on these cars,it feels as if its not cured or
dried yet but it is.Be careful when getting bugs off of this kind of paint
it sratches easy!

Have to agree with this.... my fricken finger nail scratched the paint on the bumper... If any of you know what Moh's hardness scale is... this isn't good - not at all.. oh well, paid for performance and awesome looks, not a showcar finish.....

[UCI CamaroFan]

Originally Posted by franknbeans

I clayed mine when i got it and got nothing on the clay bar. . . nothing at all.

this. I thought it was a waste...

[boreas]

I've never been a car buff (pun intended!). I've always had civics, corollas, etc. Also, I've never washed my cars. Ever... They where beige or gray, so I didn't mind the dirt. But since I've ordered my Camaro, I've been reading through the forums and I was beginning to worry about caring for my future car!

Well, to make a long story short, I went to Canadian Tire and bought a whole lot of Meguiars products: car wash, paint cleaner, clay bar kit, car polish and carnauba wax. I then went on to test that on my gray civic. About 2 hours later, it looked like it came from the dealer!!!

The whole process is really easy, even the claying (that's the part I was doubtful about). Also, before claying, the car looked pretty clean to me. But while claying, the detailer spray was turning yellowish and the clay bar got full of yellow/brown dust. It felt like washing the wall in the first apartment I moved in after University (the previous occupant was a smoker). One thing, though: it's a pretty good workout!

Phil