definitely sold on clay bar process...
 

Bought my '04 CE last Saturday. Washed then clay barred it today. The trunk lid and hood felt like sand paper after the wash and before the clay bar, now it's slick as glass. It took me about 2 hours to do the whole car as it really needed it bad. Taking a break before I put a coat of wax on it.

Clay bar before:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMG_0549.jpg

Clay bar after first pass (front hood):

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMG_0548.jpg:U

I did this on my '69 a few weeks ago, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the '04. I take care of it with regular washing and waxing. This CE obviously wasn't treated as well and I'm making sure it will get better treatment from now on.:thumbs:

I love clay bars. I've been using them forever. I took my BSM's off yesterday after much contemplation if I should, and after getting all the double sided sticky tape off the clay bar cleaned everything else off! Which one did you use? After trying a bunch this is the one I've had the best luck with.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf1dc71be.jpg

Nothing like a good clay bar job. Been doing it for years and I'm always amazed with the amount of crap it can pull off the car!

Clay bars are AMAZING!!

:thumbs::thumbs:

amazing the number of seemingly well educated car guys that have never tried it . . .I get the proverbial, "Huh . . .you what ?"

One of the best car maintenance products ever invented!!!

If you think it's slick now, wait til the wax goes on!! :thumbs:

Before you wax.......
 

Before you put a coat of wax on your car,use something like Meguiar's No. 9 Swirl Remover, then use Mequiar's No. 205 Ultra Finishing Polish.
When it comes to waxing use Meguiar's No. 21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 (for dark paint) or Meguiar's No. 26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax (for light paint).
For maintanance, use Meguiar's No. 34 Final Inspection. I actually buy this product by the gallon.

You will appreciate the results.

I was taught this method by Jim Larson, Meguiar's head detailer.

Hope this helps.

Roger T

I always love "My first claybar experience" topics. I still remember being amazed the first time I used it

:iagree:

I've used both Mothers kit (on the '69) and Mequires (the '04). Since the '04s paint wasn't cared for as well as the '69, it's a little hard to make a comparison.

Thanks for the good info. Since it's going to a show tomorrow, I didn't have time to go through all the steps, but I did use Mequires cleaner wax. My '69 broke after getting it all prepped over the last several weeks. Just got the '04 last Saturday, just didn't have the time to prepare, but it will do as it looks pretty good right now and is sleeping under it's new cover.

:iagree: When I picked the clay bar kit up at the parts store, the guy behind the counter asked me how to use it so I gave him a quick tutorial. My son in law has a nice 350Z vert, and wants me to show him how to use it. I ran my hand across the paint (without a plastic bag) and it needs to be done bad, was rough as a cob.

Clay bars do make a huge difference in the paint. I did it to my '00 and need to do it to my '03.

In the past week I've done the Z, the M3 and the wifes TT. All 3 needed it bad since we moved up here to WA late last year. Top off with Meguiar's Ultimate Wax (no wax, all Polymer) and the Z has never looked so much like glass.

I do all my cars! :thumbs: The best! :D

Thanks,Matt

A "must do" for anyone who cares about their paint

Surprises me how many "waxxers" never heard of clay baring. Your car's paint will never show its true potential until you have taken off that layer of grime with clay.

Our club had a polishing tutorial from a respected paint guy a couple of years ago. When questioned about clay bars, he totally dismissed them as unnecessary and could ruin the paint!:eek: Anyways, after hearing from many many members here about the great results, I tried it a couple of weeks ago. Worked great! Didn't have that much dirt come off but the paint was alot smoother. If the paint feels smoother, you know it's going to shine better too.
If it feels like glass it's going to shine like glass. :thumbs:

I've used it on my 99 Artic White, my 05 GTO, and even my wife's 09 Smart car. It works just great and they all finish smooth as a baby's bottom.