Auto detail clay

[VersaMG08]

Since it was a nice day today, sunny in the 60s, I decided to wash my car. I haven't clayed a car before and I thought I give it a try and bought a box of Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit.

I tried it on my dad's '97 Sentra GXE after I washed it. On the instructions it says to do one section at a time, preferably a horizontal surface. I sprayed the trunk with the detailing spray, kneaded a piece of clay and began in a circular motion. I glanced at the clay, it was filthy, full of debris, and numerous things I couldn't describe.

Took about 10 minutes to do. When I was finished, I dried off the trunk with a chamois and rubbed my fingers across. Man, the paint felt like it was new again! Silky smooth like glass, no more rough paint. This stuff really works, I can't wait to try it on my V when I wash it again. I plan on doing it before I wax that way its like professionally done.

Just thought I gave in my two cents. Here is a pic of kit I bought at Walmart for $15.94

[AZhitman]

I'm a big claybar fanatic as well.

Best 3 hours you'll spend on your car's appearance.

[iluvmyVersa08]

I've never heard of this before.What exactly does it do to the car/paint? Do you do this instead of waxing?

[NewToVersa]

It just makes your paint feel smoother. It takes out ( little left over crap that get stuck on the paint )... sorry bad english...

[VersaMG08]

The purpose of claying a vehicle is to remove excess overspray, debris such as dirt, industrial fall out, brake dust and other outside elements. Claying makes the paint feel smooth similar to glass or brand new paint and it's suppose to be done before waxing the car. It helps waxing and makes it easier because the claying process removes stuff that's in the clear coat and when you wax over that, it fills in the pores that you can't see with the naked eye.

One of the reasons you see swirls in the paint and headlamps in direct sunlight are the wrong methods of washing your car. I'm already starting to see them on my tail lights. They're miniscule when you glare at it closely.

I've been getting really picky about how I wash my V lately. When I take my car to the wash, I rarely ever use the brush that's available. It's similar to a sponge that collects dirt and can scratch the paint over time. I use those wash mits you can purchase at an auto store, works better. After each use, I just throw it in the wash and use it next time.

[iluvmyVersa08]

Thanks for the info. That sounds great. I might have to try that in the future. I think I'll try it on my parents minivan this summer to see how it works. The van is now 11 years old and could use some good lovin'. Lol! I just washed my V today. It was 10 degrees out, very sunny, perfect day for being outside. I dislike automatic car washes as they do a poor job of washing the vehicle. I prefer to wash my V myself, that way I know I'm cleaning all of it. I even cleaned under the hood today, looks pretty

Thanks again for the info. I'm gonna try to get that stuff at Wal-Mart and try it on our van first. I'll let you know how it goes!

[feloniousmonk]

The Meguiar's kit is a decent starter kit, but you're much better off getting a spray bottle (grocery store) with a mixture of filtered water and car wash soap plus a jar of detailing clay (available from several online car care/detailing vendors). The Meguiar's kit doesn't give you enough clay. Chances are you'll end up with plenty of liquid left by the time you've used up your clay.

The clay is a very find abrasive. You'll want to use a quality sealant and wax after it. For a complete detailing job, you want to do the following:

1. wash/dry2. clay and rinse off3. polish (you may need several grades of polish depending on condition of your paint)4. glaze (filler for scratches)5. sealant and/or wax

Don't waste your money on carnauba wax. Polymer based waxes last much longer in the sun, up to 6 mo. compared to 1 week. Menzerna (german brand) makes a series of polishes (from most abrasive to least: Power Gloss, Intensive Polish and Final Polish) that are very good along with a synthetic wax that is phenomenal especially for dark colors (FMJ, for "Full Molecular Jacket"). Google and you'll find it.

Invest in a quality dual action buffer (Porter Cable) and high quality foam pads if you want it done right and save time. Can take longer than a whole weekend if you do it by hand. There are different grade foam pads for each step of the process too.

[BlueMango]

Similar topic...

Has anyone used the Surf City Beyond Clay? (http://www.surfcitygarage.com/detail1.p ... uct_id=351)

I've used some of their other products and really love the results. Just curious.

[feloniousmonk]

Similar topic...

Has anyone used the Surf City Beyond Clay? (http://www.surfcitygarage.com/detail1.p ... uct_id=351)

I've used some of their other products and really love the results. Just curious.

Looks similar to Turtle Wax's Liquid Clay (http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,1,4). No experience with either, however, I did look at the packaging for Liquid Clay and determined it wasn't any easier or less tedious than normal clay bars and passed.

[Mobags Versa09]

I washed my car yesterday with the following:Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Bar KitMeguiar's NXT Generation Car WashMeguiar's Three step system 1. Paint Cleaner2. Polish 3. Carnuba WaxFor the wheels and tires Westley's Bleche-Wite and Meguiar's Hot Rim's All Wheel Cleaner.

I wish I would of done this sooner. That clay bar is awesome. I haven't seen my car look this sexy since I bought her. I also shaved the "Versa" and "SL" badges off. Hope you like.

[superskunk]

i clayed the hood of the Murano, i was going to do the whole car but got lazy... so i think i will clay my versa sometime this week...

[Mobags Versa09]

Your Versa will love you for it!

[Mobags Versa09]

Iam thinking of also shaving the Nissan symbol of the back. What do you all think?

[VersaMG08]

Mine looks like this after wash and wax. Didn't clay it though...I'm getting it lowered next Monday!

[Mobags Versa09]

Nice dude. I love a clean car! Do you think it would look good if I shaved the Nissan symbol off the back end of the car?

[NODES]

VersaMG08: What size are those tires, that fender gap is huge....

[Codelicious]

His car hasn't been lowered yet. That's probably why.Maybe they are 15's or 16's.

[VersaMG08]

VersaMG08: What size are those tires, that fender gap is huge....

I'm getting it lowered on Monday with my Tanabe springs. My setup is 215/45/17 Goodyear Eagle GT tires, Drag DR-17 wheels.

[Mobags Versa09]

There the stock tires and wheels. I eventually will upgrade my tires and wheels.

[BigBodyV]

Those rims look small in tht v. maybe with it lowered it should help out alot.