Newbie wants to play with clay...

2

2005tundra

New member
My truck is a couple years old, paint in decent shape. Have started to notice some buildup on the surface in high splatter areas. I know I need to clay it and have read quite a few threads. Just a little apprehensive about taking a clay bar to my prized possession. Any hints, tips, suggestions for product, mistakes you've made, etc.........Have looked at several different bars, meguirs kit, mothers, and other otc's.
 
No way you can go wrong unless you dont use enough lube. If your really worried then just lube it up like hell and you'll be more than safe.
 
I have always wondered how to get those little buggers out, I seem to get these little orange things stuck in the paint. You can barely see them, but they are definately stuck in the clear coat. Picking at them or rubbing them with a towel just causes marring (which I have done to every other car I've owned.
 
So, just one question. I wash my truck, then clay it. Do I need to rinse off the spots I clay before polishing and sealing?
 
Wash, dry, then clay. I have never rinsed after claying, but I do polish then wax. I do this once a year in the spring. If I need to clay a spot in between polishes I'll skip the polish but I will wax.



I've had good luck with the blue Clay Magic. Mothers works well too, just costs more and includes some wax I don't use.
 
Me personally i wash then i can either soap it up again or use the lube without drying.



If you've ever seen what the lube looks like after clay if you really pay attention its all black and dirty so every single time i clay i wash again.
 
I really like the Meg's white clay and Meg's Quick Detailer.



Dilute the lube at least 50/50 water/detailer, I like it closer to 80/20 water/detailer.



Use the lube generously if you're worried about it and remember to continually turn and knead the clay so you'll have a clean surface. Wipe down as you go and the paint should look nice and wet once you're finished.



Don't forget to rewax afterwards, I like Zaino, RejeX or store bought NXT if you don't have any of the serious sealents.
 
itb76 said:
Wash, dry, then clay. I have never rinsed after claying, but I do polish then wax. I do this once a year in the spring. If I need to clay a spot in between polishes I'll skip the polish but I will wax.



I've had good luck with the blue Clay Magic. Mothers works well too, just costs more and includes some wax I don't use.
Click to expand...



I have done it both ways. You do not need to rinse if you are going to polish. The clay lube will leave a haze that will come right off with the polish. Save the extra step.



x2 on the Clay Magic. Make sure to rotate and knead often if you are getting a lot of waste on the clay bar.
 
I do not wash after claying. I wipe the lube (QD) off, then spray again with the QD and wipe with clean MF. In other words, I basically QD the spot after claying.
 
the reason i wash is because ive seen all that blackish lube stay on and i wouldnt wanna just wipe that off id feel better washing that, only takes 5-10min to wash anyways
 
hard to screw up when your claying. mothers works good...18 bucks at napa

I didn't re-wash after claying. other than that....good luck and have fun detailing



Ryan
 
I also like Meg's white clay, it's very pliable and works well. I do NOT like the Four Star gray clay or Sonus block, they both marred up my black paint. I do like the Sonus green for light claying though, nice stuff. Never tried Mother's.
 
Where can I purchase one of these so called clay magic bars..........

Checked autogeek and did not see them





Bill Valley said:
I have done it both ways. You do not need to rinse if you are going to polish. The clay lube will leave a haze that will come right off with the polish. Save the extra step.



x2 on the Clay Magic. Make sure to rotate and knead often if you are getting a lot of waste on the clay bar.
Click to expand...
 
Found some clay in stores near me, but they are all ice liquid clay. Anyone use this stuff? I really don't want to order from anywhere. I may just have to use the mothers. The only thing holding me back is all the extra stuff in the package I don't need.
 
If you can find the Clay Magic it's cheaper and just as good, but there's nothing wrong with the Mothers yellow clay. You will use the clay lube, just not the wax. Never tried the liquid clay, I just don't see how it can possibly work.
 
Autozone Carries, Clay Magic, Meguires, and Mothers Clay.



Clay Magic Being the Cheapest, Kragen/Parts America Also Carries Meguiars and Mothers clay.
 
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