The Perfect Cleaning Regime

[mark_glh]

Originally Posted by Mark Q

Jeez, you must be young free and single to have all that time on your hands

Aye i'll probs get half way through it then give up, or at least do it all once then never bother again.

Time will tell

[Unknownsoldier]

Yeah, I've got into using that also means you can wash the car one day, leave it to dry then come back to it next day, quick dust, quick squirt and your ready to wax it

Tom

[Unknownsoldier]

Originally Posted by mark_glh

Aye i'll probs get half way through it then give up, or at least do it all once then never bother again.

Time will tell

Become really anal about it and you'll get so enamered with the looks it gets once it cleaned, you'll never go back, I havn't tired of the looks it gets when she's sparkling, some have even thought it's brand-new until they see the numberplate.....

Tom

[mark_glh]

Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier

Become really anal about it and you'll get so enamered with the looks it gets once it cleaned, you'll never go back, I havn't tired of the looks it gets when she's sparkling, some have even thought it's brand-new until they see the numberplate.....

Tom

Haha yeah that always a risk

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by mark_glh

Haha yeah that always a risk

Then you become paranoid the neighbours are talking about you because you are out in all weathers cleaning.

Truth is.... they probably are too.

[PJS]

Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier

From what I've read it is (www.bilthamber.co.uk):

"Both of the Bilt-Hamber auto-clay bars are formulated with finely divided low hardness minerals so that the abrasive effect is reduced when compared to other brands."

From wikipedia (not the gretaest place for facts I know):

"Clay is a mixture of clay base and various mild abrasives. Clay along with a clay lubricant is used to remove paint contamination. Spray wax, window cleaner or water can work as a clay lubricant. Road grime, tar, bugs, rust, tree sap and even paint overspray can be removed with a clay bar. Clay bars differ in color and density but what is most important is the type and amount of abrasive particles they contain. All clay bars will be labeled from "mild" to "strong" abrasive quality. Claying does not remove the clear coat of the paint but can cause marring or dullness if used incorrectly. When using a clay bar sufficient lubrication must be present to avoid scratching the paint. It takes a few passes of clay to feel the difference on the surface of the paint. To evaluate the effectiveness of claying dry the area and assess the paint and the bar. The paint should become slick to touch. The clay bar used should be turning gray. If the clay bar is dropped it must be discarded. The clay bar should be folded over frequently to expose clean surface. Claying does not replace polishing. It is a process that should be used before polishing compound is used."


Surely therefore it is mildly abrasive???

It's easy to get confused, depending on how you define an abrasive.
A clay bar will not abrade the suface, but rather in lieu of enough lubricant (QD/water) it will cause marring.
I meant to keep the point raised simple, since others unaware of what a clay bar is, might assume from the term abrasive, it was akin to rubbing a fine sandpaper across the surface.

I only experienced marring once, and that was the first time using it, which was as a result of rushing probably.
Even so, it was more like a skidmark, and after a couple of washes, it was gone - this was before I got the polisher.

So, whilst the above are probably fair descriptions, I'd caveat them with 'based on what one defines an abrasive as'.

[Unknownsoldier]

Fair enough, , as you said it is how you define abrasive, I simply use the term abrasive as it does contain minute traces of abrasives and other silica's and plastics/polymers, technically it is akin to rubbing verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry fine wet and dry across it, only the lubricant and the fineness of it prevent marking.

ATB,
Tom