MK5 Golf GTI
General => Detailing => Topic started by: Boothy on March 17, 2010, 05:40:38 pm
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Can anyone recommend a good clay bar thats suitable for a a first timer and offer any tips on using it. I already have some Megs Last Touch which I believe is ok as a lubricant too.
Cheers.
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Hi,
We'd recommend using something quite mild so you don't risk doing any damage to the paintwork.
Our Ultrafine Orange clay would be perfect - it's mild enough to not have to worry about causing any marring, but it's got enough oomph to pull off most contaminants.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Autoperfection-Ultrafine-Orange-Clay-120g-Bar-110.html
It's very easy to use - the Last Touch is perfect to use a lube (one of my favourites... I love the smell!) so just simply break off a small piece of clay (about the size of a 50pence piece), knead it in your hands to warm it up a bit (or place it in a cup of luke warm water if your hands are cold!) and then get to work!
Work on a panel at a time, making sure both the clay and the panel are completely wet at all times... applying very little pressure at all, lightly rub the clay back and forth and you should be able to feel it dragging slightly and lifting off any contaminants. After a couple of rubs back and forth you shouldn't be able to feel any resistance at all, which means it's ok to move on to the next bit of paint.
Wipe away the Last Touch with a clean microfibre and Bob's your uncle.
Hope this helps
Taryn and Jim :happy2:
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Thats the one I'd been looking at so will get some ordered along with one of the Lusso packages. Cheers for the help and assistance. :happy2:
Chris.
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quick question - when you clay does it remove the wax?
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quick question - when you clay does it remove the wax?
sure does mate :happy2:
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quick question - when you clay does it remove the wax?
sure does mate :happy2:
Cool - thought that was the case. I always make sure to wax after claying anyway
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quick question - when you clay does it remove the wax?
sure does mate :happy2:
Cool - thought that was the case. I always make sure to wax after claying anyway
:happy2:
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The Megs all in one set (Clay, Lube and MF) is pretty good for the moneys. :happy2:
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Megs Smooth Surface clay kit is what I prefer to use. The MF is good quality, the detailing spray smells gorgeous and can be used as a lube as well as just a quick detailing spray, plus it doesn't leave greasy marks like Poorboy's does.
The only thing I have never touched is the Megs cleaner wax which comes in the box, preferring to use my own glaze and wax.
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Just bought myself the Megs Smooth Surface clay kit, along with a couple of Autoglym stuff from halfords and got it 3 for 2 :happy2:
Never actually clayed a car before, so I'll let you know how I get on (when it eventually stops raining)
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The Megs kit comes with two clay bars. Open one, tear off half and that should be enough to do the entire car. Either warm it by putting it into some warm water or just keep kneading it (bit like with a stress ball) until it's softer. Flatten it out (i use a diameter of 5-6cm) and spray a part of the car. The best bit I find is the C-pillar near the roof. Spray with lube (2-3 sprays should cover the relevant bit) and just rub the clay on the paintwork. It should glide along. If there's a bit where it 'jams', you need more lube so spray. Once you've done a section, wipe off the lube with the cloth and move on to the next section. Break the car into sections mentally and work on one bit at a time. Check the bar after each section and if it's dirty, fold it over, flatten it again and carry on. If it's dirty everytime you fold it (ie no clean clay left) use the other half of the bar you saved. If you drop the clay on to the ground, chuck it away. Otherwise you'll be scraping stones into the car!!!
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Ive givern this a go, seems ok so far, lot less work than a normal claybar
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.strato.de%2FWebRoot%2FStore8%2FShops%2F61428711%2F46CD%2FC70F%2FFDAD%2FEAC3%2F6658%2FC0A8%2F28BB%2F27E6%2FT-466.JPG&hash=185815b86b55813d0448dc46b4361e03950531d1)
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Ive givern this a go, seems ok so far, lot less work than a normal claybar
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.strato.de%2FWebRoot%2FStore8%2FShops%2F61428711%2F46CD%2FC70F%2FFDAD%2FEAC3%2F6658%2FC0A8%2F28BB%2F27E6%2FT-466.JPG&hash=185815b86b55813d0448dc46b4361e03950531d1)
never used that so can't really comment on it, but the idea and advantage of a clay bar is the abrassion difference between clay a d paint surface so I can't see how a liquid claybar will work.
It's a contradiction of terms that product, bear in mind there aren't many substitutes for hard work when it comes to detailing.
Another thing I will say about claying, it would be sensible to realise you are likely to marr the car if you clay it properly. Especially a first time user.
Make sure you follow up with at least a good hand polish.
Just so you known, a never really clay cars without following up with a machine polish.
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What do you mean by marring.got any pics?
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Very light scratches that look horrific but in reality are a lot easier than swirls to get out
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^^^I think the first time I clayed, I used half the bottle of lube because I was so afraid of marring the paintwork. Too much is better than too little but you'll get the hang of it and how much lube is needed per section.
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^^^^^^^ Agreed i still use half a bottle of lube when i clay bar, i used to use the meguires and really liked it i just took a llittle more effort to get plyable in the colder weather than the sonus did.
I usually only clay once a year max anyway.
check out you tube for some video how toos bud :happy2:
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I'm claying mine tomorrow (as long as it doesn't rain) and it's the first time I've done it as I've never really had a car that deserved it! lol
I'm a bit worried about this marring though, is the best way to reduce the chance to just slap loads of the lube on? Don't really want to knacker the paint up but need to give it a go really.
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I'm claying mine tomorrow (as long as it doesn't rain) and it's the first time I've done it as I've never really had a car that deserved it! lol
I'm a bit worried about this marring though, is the best way to reduce the chance to just slap loads of the lube on? Don't really want to knacker the paint up but need to give it a go really.
Lots and lots of lube and let the clay do the work, it will feel like glass once its clean so feel for this instead of going over the same area. Also check your clay all the time and keep folding away the dirt and contaminates, also make sure its nice and warm so its really soft, either need it quite a lot or leave it in a bucket of warm water. :happy2:
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I'm in same boat as Gaz - never done this detailing business before but this link gives some good insight - trip to Halfords coming up I feel.
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I'm in same boat as Gaz - never done this detailing business before but this link gives some good insight - trip to Halfords coming up I feel.
I've had to clay in stages to fit around work, and it's worked a treat. I was a bit worried about the marring issue to used bucket loads of the spray, in fact I used a full bottle but it's worked a treat :)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fee209%2Fgazzajones%2FIMG_0190.jpg&hash=e8fb0fb8ce7d2a48919d5215fd8670eeae56d444)
Only used 1 full clay bar (made the mistake of putting the first half I was using in my pocket) so yea, really pleased with the results :happy2:
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Woke up to a nice warm, slightly overcast day today which seemed perfect to clay the car and use my recently purchased Lusso Revitalising Cream and Oro wax.
All I can say to anyone thinking about clayling is to just crack on with it. It made such a difference to the shine/feel of the paint and wasn't difficult really. It also gave me the perfect base for applying the Lusso which I am well impressed with!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi614.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt224%2FBOOTHMEISTER%2F574f4fd7.jpg&hash=089ff2449a95d7750a4b70763b8149289d1c21ba)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi614.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt224%2FBOOTHMEISTER%2F851b5cd2.jpg&hash=87f727b4a6929cf75b0129dc56f8c3427ea29d71)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi614.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt224%2FBOOTHMEISTER%2F75e85d8d.jpg&hash=d165ef47b0344fe5a97fcc5585cebdf0d9aaabd5)
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Clay in a bottle now thats scary :scared:
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Good work Gaz - I'm tempted to do the business tomorrow, travelling a 4 hour round trip to Derby though on Sunday so not sure if I should get that out of the way first?
Did you break the bar up or just do the whole thing re-moulding the same bar? Do I need to apply pressure?
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If you break the bar in half, one piece should be enough to do the whole car. The other piece you can save for another time or if you drop the first piece on the floor.
Pressure should be minimal - enough to keep the clay on the paintwork There should be abrasiveness - there should be enough lubrication from the spray that the clay bar slides along very easily.
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I bought a megs starter kit off e bay the other day, 1 bar and the spray for £11, just enough to start with I think, and if I do an OK job then I will invest in the more expensive show stuff.
If you open a bar, and don't use it, are you still ok to use it at a later date? And also, if you use it, can you keep it for another time, or do you guys reccomend throwing it away after use?
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Is bin the stuff you've used to be honest but I could be wrong. I've wrapped my left over piece in cling film and left in the box with.the.other cleaning stuff, that way it shouldn't dry out.
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You'll notice when you've done the claying that you'll want to lob it. As mentioned half a clay bar is enough to do the car once, just make sure it's lubed up before you do it.
I also washed the car before hand then afterwards, and polished it to make sure it was sparkling :smiley:
The red GTi looks awesome Boothmeister! :happy2:
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I keep half of the bar in the plastic wrapping and inside the box. Haven't had issues with it drying out.
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i know they say it removes polish and wax, btu hoe does it go that, it just runs over the surface removing the bits that stick up (dirt). ok i understand if that's on tough it will probably take that spec of polish with it ....
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friction! and the differential between paintwork and clay!
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Well I've recieved my first ever clay bar and dodo juice born slippy from Autoperfection this morning(great service and I'm eating my egg with the morning coffee). Going to try it out on our lasses mini this weekend. The bodywork is like the alps after the winter, look forward to the results!