What exactly does claying do? I wax my car ab once every 3 or 4 months. Would claying it make a difference? What about polish?

I also have some new machines silver alloy wheels that are clear coated. How should i wax/ polish them? Mag/aluminum polish?

 

It removes small particulates that embed themselves in the paint that soap and water miss when washing. Claying is not a protectant, it is a deep cleaner. Claying will give the car a smoother feeling to the paints surface.
Make sure the two products wax/polish/sealants are able to be used together. Some repel other products.
the wheels are clear coated just like a car, wash/wax them just like you would your cars painted surfaces. Mag/aluminum polish is to abrasive imo, I would stick with what you are already using to keep it simple.
Good luck and happy motoring.

 

I have Permacoat and was told NOT to clay it because it will take the permacoat off. Whis I could clay it because I clay my motorcycle and bot what a difference! Smoother and silkier feel.

 

A couple notes about clay.

Clay is used to remove above surface bonded contaminants. These contaminants settle on the paint between washes and don't come off during the wash. A vehicle parked outside instead of a garage will definitely need claying. If you were to keep your car clean, free of dust and dirt, your paint will always feel smooth as brand new glass and claying is less important.

This is my favorite clay
http://www.showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=116&bc=no

and lube
http://www.showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=123&bc=no

Before waxing your paint, the paint needs to be free of any contaminants so that it can bond directly with the paint. Claying is a crucial step here.

Waxing wheels with something like Prima Wheel Armour will make removal of brake dust buildup easier. But you will need to thoroughly clean your wheels first before application.
http://www.showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=226&bc=no

Richard

 

The cleaner you start the better the end result.

This shows the contaminants and what they do on a nano level to your paint.
http://www.hotbodywax.com/images/Chart1b.jpg

make sure you address all of these issues before you wax and the end result will be a slippery and deep paint that always looks wet.

 

I already waxed my car about another ago after washing. Can I still clay it? How could I get the wax off to start fresh? Should I clay, polish, then wax?

The only prob is its already waxed :/

 

You can clay your paint anytime you want, but you will have to rewax the paint. No need to remove the wax. Just clay it, and wax it again.

Richard

 

FYI, claybar also works great on headlight lenses, all windows, side mirrors and alloy wheels. just wipe it off with w/microfiber cloth. your headlights will shine!!!

 

Here is a link to my favorite clay. Unfortunately it's not easy to get in the US due to patient laws. I think the patient is due to expire in 2013? You deffinatly want to wash your car very well before you clay. I even use wax and grease remover on the lower parts of the car to remove any tar before claying.
http://www.eshine.ca/riccardo_clay_o...w_8oz-4001.php

 

Pretty much use Meguiars across the board, not just their clay kit: http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1016...uct/B00063X7KG

Really amazing how much grime the clay bar picks up.

 

I have also heard this stuff works really well on wheel but I have never used it myself.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/SearchRe...arch=wheel+wax

 

Tried Meguiar's Ultimate Polish to remove some light paw scuffs from my bonnet with little success. Did the buffing by hand, and would prefer not to use a power buffer. Should I use more "elbow grease", or is there a slightly more abrasive Meguiar's product?

 

L_C you were right to start w/ the least abrasive, next up would be to try Meguiar's SwirlX. They have some good how-to videos on their site: http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...g17616-swirlx/
Some foam applicator pads and some clean microfiber towels (amazes me at the carwash how many people dry off nice cars w/ filthy rags) and you're off, good luck.

 

Did you use a foam applicator or a terry cloth one? Try the same polish with terry cloth if you used foam the first time.

What's the worry about a machine? Any of the random orbitals will give you results that are miles better than you can do by hand and pose no risk to your paint.

 

fFirst, if you are going to clay bar wash with Dawn detergent which will remove wax and make your clay bar more effective and will not "load" it. you need to knead the clay bar as you work the surface. Wet the surface with detailer spray and have at it. Elbow grease is not needed just a lite touch till it is as smooth as a babies[well youknow].

 

That was the answer I was looking for. I washed my car and noticed the roughness on the sides of the car. Not smooth. I wasn't sure if I could clay without first removing the wax. I just clayed anyway and then just put some Epic on the car along with 2 coats of Hydro Seal. The car feels like glass and looks even better. I didn't think it would hurt but I thought I better come here and verify.

Thanks Richard.

 

Great! Good job!
Dawn will not strip a sealant. It will take off natural or carnauba waxes but not polymer sealants. Secondly "stripping off the wax" will not make the clay more effective. Above surface bonded contaminants will load up the paint faster than any sacrificial barrier. Third, it depends on how contaminated the paint is when it comes to pressure. What's far more important is how much friction and how uniform it is when claying the paint. MOST people don't put enough pressure on the clay and it's far less effective when the pressure isn't optimal.

Richard

 

So, will claying the car remove swirls and faint scratches as well? I have the black top on my 2012 and the top is already not looking so hot in the sun. I bought this car brand new and its driving me crazy that the black already looks so roughed up. Any suggestions?

 

Clay really worlks well and easy - I used the Mother's kit for the first time on my crew cab truck after 3 years of daily driving - talk about removing road tar and unseen rough stuff on the finish.

 

Read my previous post
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...483-post4.html

Clay removes ABOVE surface bonded contaminants. Swirls and scratches are BELOW surface defects, so no clay will not remove them. If your "brand new" black roof looks swirled out, you need to change how you are washing your paint. Swirls and scratches are a result of abrasions to the paint. Improper wash techniques, car washes, dealer washes, even dealer delivery washes, all contribute towards swirls in your paint.

You need a polish or a glaze to minimize or conceal some of those defects.

Richard

 

OctaneGuy - can you repost your favorites including name, besides just the link. The link is dead now.

 

My store was down for the week for a major upgrade and host change. I just tried the links and it works fine. Might need to refresh your browser.

Thanks!

Richard