OK, if I'm preaching to the choir disregard this post, otherwise...

Hear me now and believe me later. If you dont clay your car before applying wax or other finish you're gonna be sorry.

Had my car for a month. Washed and waxed it as soon as I got it home. No clay.

Washed it three times since then. No clay or wax.

Today I washed the car and decided to really inspect the finish. Now I wash pretty thoroughly and thought I was doing an excellent job.. wrong! There was bug guts, tar specks, yellow paint specks (thanks DOT), and other unidentifiable gunk on the car (mainly on the nose and rocker area) that no amount of scrubbing would remove.

So I broke out the clay. Smooth skin now. And wont be trapping that stuff between the clear coat and wax.

Please do your paint a favor and clay the car before waxing. You wont be disappointed.

Val, completely agreed. Did you Zaino (Z1, Z2, Z6) the finish after the claybar? Or use wax?

I clayed mine before using NXT. My question is, it has been several months since I did the clay. How often should we go back and redue it? Every 6 months or so?

That's about right, but if you did a thorough job on the initial claybar then can go a year or more before the next claybar. If using Zaino, do another Z1 every six months....

im not gonna wait anything like a year between claying (word?). Only had my car a month and already too much crap for my liking.

I am gonna "spot clay" before waxing.

I am using NXT right now, haven't pulled the trigger on the zaino , yet. But...

im not gonna wait anything like a year between claying (word?). Only had my car a month and already too much crap for my liking.

I am gonna "spot clay" before waxing.

I am using NXT right now, haven't pulled the trigger on the zaino , yet. But...
My point is that if you did a thorough enough job on the first clay, then dun need to do another clay for a long while. Yet, in between coats of Z2 (forget wax), you'll need to reapply Z1 or ZFX every six months....

I was hesitant to put anything over my car brand new- so I decided to wait a few months at least. What I didnt realize is that it would be mid winter when it was time to wax.. so I think I'll just wait till spring to claybar/wax it. The clay is waiting in the trunk.

*edit: oh yes, and my car NEEDS the clay bar. the surface of the car just feels rough.

I was hesitant to put anything over my car brand new- so I decided to wait a few months at least. What I didnt realize is that it would be mid winter when it was time to wax.. so I think I'll just wait till spring to claybar/wax it. The clay is waiting in the trunk.

*edit: oh yes, and my car NEEDS the clay bar. the surface of the car just feels rough.
Zaino is not a wax, it's a polish. The claybar gets rid of the surface contaminants and dust...thats why it should be used as soon as you get your car new. It's amazing how the clay pulls the contaminants off the surface as u use it...flip the clay over and start again with a clean clay surface. Then apply the Z1 pre-cleaner, then the Z2 polish, then the Z6 enhancer....rinse and repeat. Get results like this....

I was hesitant to put anything over my car brand new- so I decided to wait a few months at least. What I didnt realize is that it would be mid winter when it was time to wax.. so I think I'll just wait till spring to claybar/wax it. The clay is waiting in the trunk.

*edit: oh yes, and my car NEEDS the clay bar. the surface of the car just feels rough.

you mean no wax? for a few months?

I've been in a similar situation. Got the car August 1, 04. Used NXT on it immediately and Mother's wax on the wheels. I've washed it regularly and used the NXT often. Last week I decided to try the baggy feel test. Yup, there were tiny zits in the finish...go figure? So I went to the local body supply shop and got a bar of blue Claymagic. Claybared the car today, once around with 3M imperial glaze and a coat of NXT. I am amazed at the difference the clay has made. The zits are gone and the finish has a remarkedly smoother feel to the touch. I've become a believer of clay as well.

Question: Around me, I can only find a cheap claybar at autozone that seems to work fine. However, it only comes with a small amount of lubricant. I can only get half my car with it. Is there something else I can use to lubricate?

*breaks out the KY* :p

I was told by the guy at the autobody supply shop to use mild soapy water in a spray bottle. I mixed up a tablespoon of meguires car was soap with water in a spay bottle an it worked fine. Keep the surface wet. I believe that it's important to use the bar in a back and forth motion rather than in a circular motion to avoid possible swirls. No need to press hard either. It's interesting how you can feel the clay get some occasioanl grit in it from a freshly washed finish. Important to keep kneeding the clay to trap the particles it picks up.

Question: Can one practically replaces polishing with just claying?
I find polishing kind of time consuming and tedious. Whereas claying is so much easier and faster. So I thought of claying the car maybe 3 times a year and with waxing in between thus totally skipping the process of polishing!

cheers

Question: Can one practically replaces polishing with just claying?
I find polishing kind of time consuming and tedious. Whereas claying is so much easier and faster. So I thought of claying the car maybe 3 times a year and with waxing in between thus totally skipping the process of polishing!

cheers
Hi M-ster. Interesting idea. I noticed after claying my car that it certainly held a decent shine after I washed/dryed it to prep for the polish. So if you clay and then wax, should do just fine. However, I have to say that once I got the Z1, Z2, Z6 treatment on the car....the shine is WAY better than with clay alone.

Actually I find the opposite to you....claying for me is time consuming and tedious, but applying polish is relatively easier. In fact, I put another coat of Z2, Z6 on the car today in less than an hour. The key with the polish is to use a very thin amount then it goes on so quickly and buffs off easily too once it's dry.

I also did my interior today with Z10 Leather in a Bottle....awesome stuff, highly recommended! Much much much better than armor all. It's not greasy, easy to apply and smells good too :)

You really like that Zaino stuff, huh, Genesis? Do I smell a rep? ;)

hehe :) No rep here mate. Maybe I have been espousing the virtues of Zaino products with a bit too much zeal, but man the stuff works!

nah, not a prob. I am hearing nothing but great stuff about their products... now, where's my credit card?

Definitely not a rep. Do a search here for Zaino and your computer will start smoking out of the top :D It's highly regarded here :cool:

...Zaino (Z1, Z2, Z6) ...

Ever use ZFX vs. Z-1? Went to their site and it says that ZFX replaces (?) Z-1. Your thoughts?

Haven't tried the ZFX...it's twice the cost of a bottle of Z1, but when applied in replace of Z1 it's said to increase the "durability" of the (Z2) polish (and some say it leads to a better shine). That's probably better if you live where the weather can be harsh on your car, or where other environmental factors are hard on the car's painted surface. But in Singapore, no such problems so I opted to save a few $$$ and use Z1.

However, having said that, next time I'm going to buy the ZFX...why? Because you mix a few drops of it directly into a separate bottle containing two ounces of Z2. So after you clay, you can save an application step by not having to Z1 first before the Z2....you just jump right into the mixed ZFX/Z2 step. After spending hours during my first set of applications, the time/effort saved would be worth it, IMO :)

Does the claybar remove wax too?

EDIT: This was my 100th post! :)

So how should I apply the clay bar. Wash, Clay when car is wet, then wipe off and wax?

Yes, the claybar definitely removes old wax, in addition to the other "nasties" as discussed here :)

How do you apply the clay? Wash your car thoroughly the night before and let it dry completely. In the morning, get a spray bottle and fill it with water, add half a capful of Z7 wash concentrate. I used the whole claybar for my treatment, but my friend Manwe split his clay in half and used that, saving the fresh piece for later.....a good idea IMO.

Spray the water lightly to a small area of the car and then rub the clay in an up and down motion...not circles. Don't put too much water on or else the clay just rides on the water. You'll get what I mean when you try it, the clay should be sticky but not too sticky else it adheres to the surface. Do a small area and then move onto the next small area, "flipping" the clay to get a clean clay surface each time. As you progress, will have to knead the clay to get a clean clay surface before continuing. Just don't drop it on the ground...you'll pick up small particles that could scratch your paint.

Clay everything...paint, glass, trim....they all benefit. After you're done, the surface will be extremely smooth, ready for either wax or polish.

EDIT: This was my 100th post! :)
Cool! But it's not about the count, it's about the content ;)

Thanks for the info. I'll try it soon.

.


Clay everything...paint, glass, trim.

I think claying the headlight covers (plastic) may do damage, so I'm not gonna touch that with clay.. What say ye?

I think claying the headlight covers (plastic) may do damage, so I'm not gonna touch that with clay.. What say ye?
I clayed mine...the plastic gleams more than ever now :)

Wow, is there no end to this miracle product?

I'm still a little skeptical (by nature) and if I do it, Im gonna tread very lightly. Since I can't see anything on the lens, dunno if its really necessary on my car.. We'll see.

I dont use polish. I phoned Mguires and they said not to polish a new car. Wash, clay, and wax. Thats what I did and it looks fantastic.
I am not sure if clay will take the wax off though. Dawn dish soap is good to remove wax.
I used Mguires gold paste wax. I have a couple bottles on NXT. My frien did his Escalade with NXT and was stunned at the result.

Funny, I called Meguiar's and they told me the exact opposite. Said for lighter colored cars, you can come closer to the 'wet' look that dark cars enjoy by using a polish before waxing.

That is funny. I was told polish was for older, neglected finnishes that needed to be revitalized, or "polished".
Since my car was brand new, all that was needed was a clay bar to remove the rail dust, and other crap, and one or 2 coats of a good wax.
Their business is to sell product and all he had to say was ya you need to polish and I would have bought some.
Out of curiousity I will phone again and see what kind of answer I get.
I think that darker colors by nature tend to show a wet look more so than lighter colors no matter what kind of surface prep you do.
I washed, clayed, and waxed my red 8. I simply washed my mother inlaws black 03 Accord.
No wax ever, and has more of a wet look than my waxed 8. You can even count the drywall screws in the garage ceiling on her car hood.
When I used to work as a floor mainainence guy years ago the darker floors had a more wet look than the lighter color floors.

Yeah...and with new lighter colour cars, can skip the Z5 step altogether.

That's interesting that Meguiar's told you that, but I'm not a professional either, so I can't negate or affirm either way. I do know that Autopia advocates polishing to achieve the "perfect shine" (per their Autopia Guide to Detailing manual), and I have read throughout that site from numerous professional detailers that you should almost always include polishing/glazing to prep the paint prior to waxing. Plus, after even a few months of ownership, your paint is bound to develop blemishes, small scratches, etc., and a polish can go a long way to getting rid of or concealing those imperfections.

I guess the thing to do would be to go to one of those "old" car rallies. Some of the cars are absolutely stunning.
They would know what to do and would most likely be more than happy to tell you how they did it.

If you clay bar over existing coats of Zaino, does it remove the layers of Zaino (read do you have to start all over again :eek: ) or just the debris.

I clayed before my first Zaino applications, but not since....

I was told by Mguires that claybar will remove the wax. Not sure about Zaino's wax.
It cant hurt to wash, clay, and wax again though even if it doesnt take it off.

I guess the thing to do would be to go to one of those "old" car rallies. Some of the cars are absolutely stunning.
They would know what to do and would most likely be more than happy to tell you how they did it.
It's true. I think they strip, re-paint, and bake the car every weekend. :D

But yes, the clay bar is an absolute necessity if you're going to be trying to keep your paint looking clean and smooth. I actually don't even bother using the clay spray lubricant - just do a normal wash and rinse, and then keep misting the car while claying. The spray lubricant (quick detail, showtime gloss, etc.etc.etc.) can be used as a final dressing after you completely waxed and dried the car.

2 questions:

1) can you polish a clearcoat?

2) is "spot claying" bad for the car? I did it last night and there seem to be the slightest of discolorations. Not very noticeable at all but I was trying to figure out why my hood didnt seem absolutely perfect after wash/wax

2 questions:

1) can you polish a clearcoat?

2) is "spot claying" bad for the car? I did it last night and there seem to be the slightest of discolorations. Not very noticeable at all but I was trying to figure out why my hood didnt seem absolutely perfect after wash/wax

1) absolutely, that's what Z2 was designed for

2) spot claying isn't bad for the car...it's how the clay should be applied...one spot after another. Try this...clay the hood again to remove the wax, then mix a few drops of ZFX into two ounces of Z2 and apply, wait 30 minutes, buff off and then apply Z6. Do another ZFX/Z2, Z6 application and then re-post with the results :) You'll have some ZFX/Z2 mix left over and it has to be used within a certain time (I think it's 12 hours) so might as well finish the rest of the car ;)

2 questions:

1) can you polish a clearcoat?

2) is "spot claying" bad for the car? I did it last night and there seem to be the slightest of discolorations. Not very noticeable at all but I was trying to figure out why my hood didnt seem absolutely perfect after wash/wax


1. Yes, just be sure it says on the bottle of whatever you bought, it is safe for clearcoat finnishes.
2. No. Just wax over after you clay. Better yet insteadof "spot" claying just "spot" clay a panel at a time.
I end up just claying the whole car. Pick a day and go nuts.

i went ahead and tried the clay bar today before waxing - im very impressed. I had a few spots of tree sap that would not wash off and thought was permanent; but believe or not the clay bar wiped it clean.

nice stuff - thanks

I use clay myself, I believe it. I thought it was a gimmick at first, now I do not.

If you clay bar over existing coats of Zaino, does it remove the layers of Zaino (read do you have to start all over again :eek: ) or just the debris.

I clayed before my first Zaino applications, but not since....

Goforwand: Found this thread for you last night: http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37939 . In short, clay barring will remove a minimal amount of Zaino layers, but you shouldn't have to start over completely.

i bought a blue claybar from autozone ($10, but comes with the spray bottle too).

The store guy wanted to know what it was good for. I told him to come out and feel the paint on my rx-8. He was amazed how smooth it was. I then told him my car sat outside for 7 months. He thought it was a brand new car.

Goforwand: Found this thread for you last night: http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37939 . In short, clay barring will remove a minimal amount of Zaino layers, but you shouldn't have to start over completely.

Thanks markd!

I called the folks at Zaino and they said that claying will not remove Zaino, but I found a similar thread that is in agreement with the thread that you linked me to.

Good stuff. Happy detailing :)

Jason: What brand is your clay bar system? Meguiar's? Took me forever to find $10 clay (finally found it at K-Mart) b/c either a) I could only find the Mother's clay bar for almost $20, or b) someone had gotten to the auto detailing aisle before I did and stole the clay bars out of the box.

clay can not replace paint polishing. Clay removes contaminants on top of the paint while polishing/compounding removes defects and restore gloss. Claying and polishing does not work the same. They work totally different.

Good stuff. Happy detailing :)

Jason: What brand is your clay bar system? Meguiar's? Took me forever to find $10 clay (finally found it at K-Mart) b/c either a) I could only find the Mother's clay bar for almost $20, or b) someone had gotten to the auto detailing aisle before I did and stole the clay bars out of the box.

Jason's was probably the Mother's bar...but I'm not sure that is usually what autozone sells

I got the meguiars bar at K-mart too...shocked it was there same day I was going to buy it of the internet :)

but I still will so I'll have several of them

clay can not replace paint polishing. Clay removes contaminants on top of the paint while polishing/compounding removes defects and restore gloss. Claying and polishing does not work the same. They work totally different.

paint polishing?

I've been drinking so the answer to this is missing in my brain right now but...

you don't need to paint polish when you have a clear coat

that was for back in the day when you would actually polish the paint by removing some of it...then you would protect it with wax

now with this clay bar the contaminants are removed from the clear coat...well now you may have a small pit from the contaminant that was removed...this is where a good wax (polimer based) fills in those pits and smooths out the clear coat for a wonderful shine and depth like jason's car