A quality random orbital will do a good job and is fairly foolproof for the weekend warrior. A rotary will do a better/quicker job, but there is paint damage risk associated if not skilled in its use.

 

I am going to revive this thread.......

There is a lot of talk in here about using clay to prep the surface for polish/wax. It seems most are using a version of Quick Detailer as the surface lubricant while claying.

I agree that claying is a key step in prepping your paint to make it look its best. My question is this; would it not be ok to clay the paint just after washing the car using use the clean soapy water that is already on it? Then rinse again well, dry, and proceed to your next step.

Thoughts? Insight as to why this would be ok, or not recommended? My car is black BTW.

Big thanks!

 

Absolutely, that's the fastest way to do it. That and if it's raining while your doing clay bar.

 

Here are a few thoughts for you Corso: 1) Claying after your wash, while the car is still partially wet, is indeed a good idea. Mainly it's a time saver. Not having to spend the time to dry the vehicle, then clay, then dry again, is a plus.
2) One disadvantage to claying after you wash; too much water on the car can dilute the lubricant (Quick Detailer) and leave you with a lack of proper lubricity.
3) Claying with soapy water is a crap shoot I'd say. It IS possible to have too slick of a surface and take away from the clays ability to remove sediment. The Quick Detailer is really designed for this purpose therefore it is the best product to use.
4) And last but certainly not least, be very light with your touch while claying your black car. Too aggressive of a clay, or claying action, and you'll find yourself leaving a slightly marred surface. It can be polished out, but not everyone has the ability to properly polish after claying.

Best of luck!

 

I just waxed my wheels with Meg. Gold Class!! Smells awesome! lol

 

Snapped this pic today. This is looking directly into my driver's door. Car is Brilliant Black.

Products used:
-Wash with Meguiar's NXT Generation
-Polish with Meguiar's Ultimate Polish liquid. Applied/removed by hand, microfiber.
-Wax with Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 liquid. Applied by Porter&Cable orbital buffer on speed setting 2. Removed by hand, microfiber.
-Light mist with Meguiar's Ulimate Detailer. Applied/removed, microfiber.

I can honestly say, I have never seen black look this good. After I finished with the Ultimate Polish, I have to admit, I was a little less than impressed. However, after the wax was removed....wow, the paint just popped!

Very, very pleased.

 

Corso, Yeah! In this pic, it almost looks like you can't even see the car...It's soo shiny that all you can see is you?
Niiice!
Oh, Meguiar's "Ultimate Protectant" is awesome for the plastic moldings on the exterior and rubber around the door trim. "High Gloss", so you can use it on interior, but it will be "Very" shiny. So I use "Natural shine" by Meguiar's. Great stuff.

 

Got a new paint job. Only Meguiars on my baby!

 

Leesha is back! Long time no hear from. Are you sharing pics of this "new" paint job?

 

No don't have any good ones but its still red.

 

Pictures or it never happened.

Here's my new wax job.

 

What car is that? 2 seater?? Very nice.

 

I am very impressed by Meguiars Ultimate Compound. I had a spot on my bumper from the previous owner that has been there for over 3 years now. No amount of washing or scrubbing would do anything to it. Now that I am selling my car I decided it was time to actually fix it and I tried this stuff and it was 90% gone within 5 minutes. I still have a bit of work to do to it on the body line there but it is looking pretty great now.

Before(also some dirt there, but you can easily see the big dark spots that were permanent for so long):


Second shot to show the damage. Now you wouldn't even be able to tell something happened from that far away.



After:

 

I have car graphics work on my cruze car so that can you tell me is it work fine on car graphical car? I am very sensitive about car and graphics as well