Long time washer, first time clayer.

davegouge · 14th July 2008, 09:15

Hi all,

Took the opportunity of the toddler having a very long afternoon nap yesterday to give the civic some TLC.

Was the first time I'd ever used clay, and although it seemed very weird at first rubbing something like blu-tac over my car, I was amazed at the results. I would never have guessed that so much crap is left behind on the paintwork after normal washing. Once I'd then added a nice layer of 915 I was very pleased with the results.

Two things I realised yesterday; No matter how thorough you are cleaning, you will always find some dirt with your polishing cloth. No matter how careful you are drying, there will always be a tiny puddle of water hiding somewhere in the car that waits until the very last moment to drip out.

And here's the results of my effort:

Unknownsoldier · 14th July 2008, 09:19

Very nice work, better than my job.....

ATB,
Tom

Robbieee · 14th July 2008, 09:59

Well done matey. Looking smashin! I have never clayed my car. Bit scared to!

Unknownsoldier · 14th July 2008, 10:02

As long as you've washed it thoroughly it really is good for your paint work. As it removes the accumulation of dangerous crap lodged in your paint.

Tom

davegouge · 14th July 2008, 13:11

Yeah, I was a bit hesitant at first because up until that point all that had touched my paintwork had been things of the soft variety and there I was with what essentially looks like modelling clay in my hand. But once I got going it was a breeze and when I had finished the paintwork felt like glass and made putting the wax on much much easier.

Arms ache today, but well worth it for the view through my office window.

illegalhunter · 14th July 2008, 14:04

Looking good

cylon2007 · 14th July 2008, 14:27

Hmmmm may have to give that a go seeing as the car is 16 months old now

Rossman · 14th July 2008, 15:28

Thinking about claying our civic soon, what clay did you use Davegauge, i've heard the Meguiars clay kit is quite good?

Unknownsoldier · 14th July 2008, 16:31

BH is the easiest clay I've tried, requires no lube, just water....

.... and half the price of megs.

Tom

ViBe · 14th July 2008, 17:07

I used megs clay for the first time I clayed it, also amazed at the difference it makes.. you think the car is clean, until you clay it and the paint feels as smooth as glass. amazing. Be careful not to drop the clay on the ground though, if you do throw it away.

davegouge · 14th July 2008, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossman

Thinking about claying our civic soon, what clay did you use Davegauge, i've heard the Meguiars clay kit is quite good?

Yeah, it was the Meguiars kit that includes 2 clar bars, some quick detailer for lubrication, a nice big microfibre and some sample wax. Good stuff.

DeanFYoung · 14th July 2008, 20:56

Wow! Looks great! I'm planning to clay for the first time soon as well...!

Mainly to get rid of some overspray that I have since it got back from the workshop, but I'm looking forward to the results!!

Plan so far is: Clean thoroughly(!), Clay, Car lack then Collinite (either 476S or 915 - haven't decided yet!)
Now all I need is the time to do it...!

civicman1 · 14th July 2008, 21:01

That looks absolutely amazing. Puts my NHB to shame. Great job.

How long did it take you?

You should put this photo in the reflections thread

fickel · 14th July 2008, 21:56

Sonus ultrafine detailing clay.
Check out the links on detailing world.co.uk
It can be had for about £12 for two bars.
It's a fine clay and the Megs stuff is a (I think) a medium clay.

Don't bother buying clay lube. Make some up in an old dettox bottle from your car wash shampoo

Green Hornet · 14th July 2008, 22:02

Probably a stupid question but what is clay?
Keep thinking of the brown stuff from the field next door all over my car

fickel · 14th July 2008, 22:10

It's errr clay.

Maybe not a stupid question.
I hadn't used/heard of car claying until about 3 years ago and it seemed bizarre to rub my car paint with clay to remove dirt.
The truth is the finger nail test.
With the car washed and dry pull your fingernail across the paint. It will feel rough, gritty etc etc.
Claying pulls all this microscopic dirt off the paint surface.
As mentioned earlier, after claying, the paint feels slick and glass like
There's no point spending hours waxing your pride and joy if its still dirty

davegouge · 15th July 2008, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by civicman1

That looks absolutely amazing. Puts my NHB to shame. Great job.

How long did it take you?

You should put this photo in the reflections thread

Cheers!

Took me about 3 hours in all I think (not entirely sure, lost track of time somewhat!). And I've put on of the other pics I took that day in the reflections thread, cheers!

Unknownsoldier · 15th July 2008, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by fickel

It's errr clay.

Actually it's a mixture of 'Polymers, plastics and minute abrasive particles'. (yes I know depending on what you term abrasive..... lets not start that again...... :LOL: )

.

Tom

14th July 2008, 09:15	#1 (permalink)
davegouge Join Date: 27th November 2007 Location: Staffs, UK Posts: 25 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Long time washer, first time clayer. Hi all, Took the opportunity of the toddler having a very long afternoon nap yesterday to give the civic some TLC. Was the first time I'd ever used clay, and although it seemed very weird at first rubbing something like blu-tac over my car, I was amazed at the results. I would never have guessed that so much crap is left behind on the paintwork after normal washing. Once I'd then added a nice layer of 915 I was very pleased with the results. Two things I realised yesterday; No matter how thorough you are cleaning, you will always find some dirt with your polishing cloth. No matter how careful you are drying, there will always be a tiny puddle of water hiding somewhere in the car that waits until the very last moment to drip out. And here's the results of my effort:

14th July 2008, 21:56	#14 (permalink)
fickel Join Date: 16th May 2008 Location: West Yorks ...Near Lancs/N Yorks Border Posts: 96 Thanks given: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	I use Sonus ultrafine detailing clay. Check out the links on detailing world.co.uk It can be had for about £12 for two bars. It's a fine clay and the Megs stuff is a (I think) a medium clay. Don't bother buying clay lube. Make some up in an old dettox bottle from your car wash shampoo

14th July 2008, 22:10	#16 (permalink)
fickel Join Date: 16th May 2008 Location: West Yorks ...Near Lancs/N Yorks Border Posts: 96 Thanks given: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Yes it is It's errr clay. Maybe not a stupid question. I hadn't used/heard of car claying until about 3 years ago and it seemed bizarre to rub my car paint with clay to remove dirt. The truth is the finger nail test. With the car washed and dry pull your fingernail across the paint. It will feel rough, gritty etc etc. Claying pulls all this microscopic dirt off the paint surface. As mentioned earlier, after claying, the paint feels slick and glass like There's no point spending hours waxing your pride and joy if its still dirty

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14th July 2008, 09:19	#2 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Lord of JAE..... Car: 58' NHB Type R-GT Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 5,386 Thanks given: 390 Thanked 164 Times in 148 Posts iTrader: (0)	Very nice work, better than my job..... ATB, Tom

14th July 2008, 09:59	#3 (permalink)
Robbieee The Talented Mr. Robbieee Car: Ford Fiesta Zetec S Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 3,303 Thanks given: 105 Thanked 133 Times in 130 Posts iTrader: (14)	Well done matey. Looking smashin! I have never clayed my car. Bit scared to!

14th July 2008, 10:02	#4 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Lord of JAE..... Car: 58' NHB Type R-GT Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 5,386 Thanks given: 390 Thanked 164 Times in 148 Posts iTrader: (0)	As long as you've washed it thoroughly it really is good for your paint work. As it removes the accumulation of dangerous crap lodged in your paint. Tom

14th July 2008, 13:11	#5 (permalink)
davegouge Thread starter Join Date: 27th November 2007 Location: Staffs, UK Posts: 25 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I was a bit hesitant at first because up until that point all that had touched my paintwork had been things of the soft variety and there I was with what essentially looks like modelling clay in my hand. But once I got going it was a breeze and when I had finished the paintwork felt like glass and made putting the wax on much much easier. Arms ache today, but well worth it for the view through my office window.

14th July 2008, 14:04	#6 (permalink)
illegalhunter BJJ IS NOT JUST FOR XMAS Car: DS3 Join Date: 10th May 2007 Location: On the mat choking people Posts: 4,710 Thanks given: 9 Thanked 127 Times in 117 Posts iTrader: (2)	Looking good

14th July 2008, 14:27	#7 (permalink)
cylon2007 Join Date: 14th April 2007 Location: South Manchester/North Cheshire Posts: 712 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hmmmm may have to give that a go seeing as the car is 16 months old now

14th July 2008, 15:28	#8 (permalink)
Rossman Infidel Join Date: 1st June 2008 Location: West Sussex Posts: 54 Thanks given: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thinking about claying our civic soon, what clay did you use Davegauge, i've heard the Meguiars clay kit is quite good?

14th July 2008, 16:31	#9 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Lord of JAE..... Car: 58' NHB Type R-GT Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 5,386 Thanks given: 390 Thanked 164 Times in 148 Posts iTrader: (0)	BH is the easiest clay I've tried, requires no lube, just water.... .... and half the price of megs. Tom

14th July 2008, 17:07	#10 (permalink)
ViBe Supporter Join Date: 20th May 2008 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 134 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I used megs clay for the first time I clayed it, also amazed at the difference it makes.. you think the car is clean, until you clay it and the paint feels as smooth as glass. amazing. Be careful not to drop the clay on the ground though, if you do throw it away.

14th July 2008, 20:56	#12 (permalink)
DeanFYoung Supporter Join Date: 19th June 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,027 Thanks given: 48 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts iTrader: (0)	Wow! Looks great! I'm planning to clay for the first time soon as well...! Mainly to get rid of some overspray that I have since it got back from the workshop, but I'm looking forward to the results!! Plan so far is: Clean thoroughly(!), Clay, Car lack then Collinite (either 476S or 915 - haven't decided yet!) Now all I need is the time to do it...!

14th July 2008, 21:01	#13 (permalink)
civicman1 Join Date: 8th January 2008 Location: cheshire, uk Posts: 77 Thanks given: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	That looks absolutely amazing. Puts my NHB to shame. Great job. How long did it take you? You should put this photo in the reflections thread

14th July 2008, 22:02	#15 (permalink)
Green Hornet Join Date: 12th January 2008 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 79 Thanks given: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Probably a stupid question but what is clay? Keep thinking of the brown stuff from the field next door all over my car