Clay ot not?

[mis3]

I plan to do my once-a-year full detailing job this long weekend.

My car is silver and is well-maintained (wash almost every week, and wax every 2-3 weeks). I feel my car today and the surface is very, very smooth.

I am debating if I should clay or not, want to save the $30 and a trip to the store. I am thinking just WASH - UC - UW - UW.

[walletless]

Re: Clay ot not?

Most people here will suggest claying if it is indeed a once-a-year event. $30 seems excessive though - you can easily find megs and mothers clay kit for $18-20 at wal-mart and local auto stores.

[walletless]

Re: Clay ot not?

Btw, I was at my local O'Reilly auto 2 days ago, and I spotted a Simoniz brand clay bar (I believe this is same as the original clay magic). It was just a 100gm clay bar - no lube & towels included.. for $10. Perfect if you have a quick detailer or ONR that you can mix at QD strength.. save $$

[Murr1525]

Re: Clay ot not?

Clay can be stored for a while, so it isnt $30 and lost.

But nothing required either... only have to do the steps you want.

[goldenlight]

Yeah 30 is way too much for clay. Im sure walmart keeps this in stock. Once or 2 a year is good.

[STRIFE]

Re: Clay ot not?

A year ago I was lurkin around Amazon.com....they had mother's clay kit for like $12 so i ordered 5 of them......so I had 10 bars of clay and 5 bottles of mother QD...pretty good kit. I still have like 7 bars of clay.
I would just do a quik claying....you'd be surprised how much stuff you can remove even on a very clean car

[ChevyNick]

I would just clay for the heck of it. It's been a year, so there HAS to be SOMETHING on the paint. My truck felt pretty smooth after nearly a near and I still ran the clay bar over it real quick while washing. Doesn't take too much longer. You got nothin to lose.

[mis3]

Re: Clay ot not?

We pay more for everything here in Canada. I just checked Canadian Tire and the Meguiars Clay Kit is $29,99, this is $34 with tax. Google Canadian Tire and check out the prices!

I ran my hand over the car surface and it is very smooth. Not sure if clay can make it even more smooth.

[ffboy]

Re: Clay ot not?

I plan to do my once-a-year full detailing job this long weekend.

My car is silver and is well-maintained (wash almost every week, and wax every 2-3 weeks). I feel my car today and the surface is very, very smooth.

I am debating if I should clay or not, want to save the $30 and a trip to the store. I am thinking just WASH - UC - UW - UW.

Yes, you'll be surprised with the amount of contaminants your clay will pick up even a few months after a full detail. I would clay more often than UC, claying is non-abrasive, as far as the consumer products are concerned. There are things that ruin paint that can only be removed by clay, so I say just clay it anyway. Nothing better than applying a wax on a fresh (cleaned, clayed well prepped surface) than to reapply wax on a surface that may still have enough wax anyway, to make sure that the bonding is optimized.

[BillE]

Re: Clay ot not?

Concour with all of above>>>clay.

Have to agree, $30 is a bit pricy, but when was the last time you did clay the car? Less than a year ago, you could get by without. More than a year...yea, clay is a better practice.

Have you done the 'baggie' test? That is one way to help you decide.

Bill

[Mr Shiny Wheels]

Re: Clay ot not?

Check your local auto body supply stores. I found some in Edmonton for $12.00

[mis3]

Re: Clay ot not?

I clayed last year in August. I just found the used clay bar from last year, wrapped in a plastic wrap. I pressed on it and it's still soft. Should I use it?

[Murr1525]

Re: Clay ot not?

Sure.

[mis3]

Re: Clay ot not?

Check your local auto body supply stores. I found some in Edmonton for $12.00

Meguiars Clay Kit?

[Mr Shiny Wheels]

Re: Clay ot not?

Meguiars Clay Kit?

Nope it's called Overspray Clay. I just found it late last year so I haven't bought it yet,as my car is off the road for the winter. The description says it removes tree sap,road contaminants etc. I also talked to guy in Phoenix who says he just uses ordinary modelling clay from a hobby shop with no problems. I might buy some from a craft shop and try it on a inconspicuous spot,although I am sceptical.