The point of claying

[snowdog]

After reading all the guys on detailingworld raving about claying your car, I decided to give it a go with the meguiars quick clay starter kit. After (every) half a panel it looked like this :
http://public.blu.livefilestore.com...uTZiy5tItvdv-EUDX1ucsQ/20062010254.jpg?psid=1

However, I failed to notice any visual change... I've done about half the car, and deliberately only did half the bonnet, but I fail to see a difference between the bit I did and I didn't do, sure the clayed bit feels smoother and is slipper, but looks wise ...

Are you supposed to see a difference and if so, could I have done something wrong? I have kept it wet enough...

 

[snowdog]

You're supposed to polish and then wax/seal after claying.

I did, using el cheapo turtle wax but regardless, it needed a new coat after a month...

It's all about getting a smooth, glass like surface.

And the point of that is... ?

 

[snowdog]

looking at that clay it dont look too dirty, maybe it didnt really need claying.

The picture doesn't do it justice, it looked filthy instead of nice and white like new... I had to knead/remix the clay after half a panel to prevent it from turning black after 1-2 panels. It's a 14 year old car which has prolly never been clayed...

I thought it removed all the **** from the paintwork. Which is important if you want to go laying wax down on it?

Hmmm okay, I guess that makes sense.

 

[snowdog]

that's because you used el cheapo stuff

I'm a cheapskate though and want to use it up while It's still there, even if it means sealing my car twice as often as with a good wax. I still have half a tube of this ''Turtle wax plus PTFE'' left.

To prep the surface properly...

Basically washing removes the bigger surface dirt particles and claying removes the ingrained dirt particles. This properly prepares the surface for the paint correction (polish or glaze) and then the final paint protection (wax or seal or both) stage. You don't want to start the later stages with any ingrained dirt still on the surface as this causes micromarring (self inflicted fine scratches)

Thanks for explaining .

Yup, this should maybe go in the car cleaning thread but this is my system:

• Jetwash to get the worst of the loose stuff off
• Clean with Meguiar's car shampoo and Meg's sheep's wool mitt
• Clay with Meg's clay and detailing spray
• Polish with Meg's step 1
• Polish with Meg's step 2
• Wax with Meg's step 3

I don't have a water blaster/compressor, just the 2 bucket method at my disposal... I do have meg's sheep's wool mitt, I use a cheapo shampoo I have from somwhere.
I have that too& tried it today.
For polishing&cutting I use Commandant Scratch remover. ( not used yet as I have to buy pads for my rotary first)
For polishing&filling&sealing I use Autoglym SRP. ( not used yet as I have to buy pads for my rotary first)
Wax/sealing with Turtle wax plus ptfe. By hand, apply with megs soft foam app pad, polish with a polishing towell.