Great tips, I'll pick some clay up. What's the best lube for it? Thanks.

 

I use Adam's Detail Spray and it's pretty good.

 

Whatever clay you decide to use, stick to the recommended lube. Don't use soap and water as some may suggests. It's break down the plasticizers in the clay.

 

Not only does the improper lube sometimes break down the clay prematurely, it also increases the chances of marring the paint surface. Although the clay may seem to be working effectively, using improper lube can either provide too much lubrication which makes the clay ineffective, or too little and it will mar the paint surface. Either way, it isn't really worth it.

 

Moe,

Soap and water? ewwww that's disgusting and cheap a$$.

 

For the most part it is the surfactants and the alkalinity that break down the clay. You can use a good quality non-detergent soap. about 1/4 oz per gallon of water and not have issues.

I long ago stopped using detail sprays for clay lube. For a very long time I used ONR 6:1 as my lube. I have recently switched to a neutral non detergent soap and had excellent results.

That being said. I also polish every time I clay and i will always clay before i polish.

 

okay. I'm new to at, bit I think when I use clay, I have to cut them in a rectangle shape and use them at a single panal. Is that right?

 

I usually cut my clay bar in half and get about 4-5 cars out of that one piece.

 

awww really? I cut a small piece, use it only on the bumber, and I threw little part away. Darn. Haha oops...

 

Sometimes when the paint is really bad, you may only get that short of life out of a piece of clay. We did an X5 last week that used up a full bar of zymol lehm clay; a first in 13 years.

 

Oh. Well, the car I use on didn't have a bad paint job, I was just trying blend out the scratch as much as possible and it did get some out and made it less appearance.

 

Great write up and info on this thread.

I don't know if this forum does "stickies" or not, but if so this thread should definately be one of them.


Josh

 

Thanks Josh...I wanted an educational thread that would help the DIY make sense of the correct detailing process that was focused more on the process and not the product. Glad to hear the positive response

 

Claying won't do much to fix a bad paint job. On my previous post I meant bad paint as in paint that has lots of contaminants. Polishing is really the correct step to remove, hide, or fill any swirls or scratches. Hope this clarifies.

 

I'll stick this thread for us as it's been very informative.

I clayed for the first time last night and could not believe how much came out of the paint. The car had so much tar and rail dust in it I had to throw the 40 gram piece out after doing the car with it. But now it looks waxed and I have not even gotten to the polishing stage yet and is nice and smooth. Amazing stuff.

I used a strong mix of Dawn dish soap and water because I wanted to strip the wax. Good tip on the non-detergent soap next time. Thanks.