Member Since: 31 May 2017
Location: Isle of Sheppey
Posts: 1510
First time usage cleaning stuff.
Invested in my first ever clay bar. Went for a Bilt Hamner regular one after reading good reviews and some Dodo Juice Supernatural leather cleaner for the interior. Both were awarded top place by the Autoexpress 2017 awards. Have already got some Autoglym leather care for after the cleaning. Now just got to find the time and weather to get out and try them. Any tips for the clay usage welcomed as never used it before.2006 TdV6 HSE.
21st Jul 2017 8:07 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Lots of soapy water for the clay bar, there is a proper spray but i just use whatever is to hand, well that was when I used to clean my cars!
21st Jul 2017 8:35 pm
Batfink
Member Since: 31 May 2017
Location: Isle of Sheppey
Posts: 1510
The write up and usage on this one did say it works fine with just water. They said best to use a spray bottle and cut the bar into small bits and work them into a usable shape. Always toyed with getting one just never got around to it before.2006 TdV6 HSE.
21st Jul 2017 8:38 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
Clay bars are great.
Best benefits are on flat surfaces (bonnet)
Once done you will what to protect the surface (e.g wax) while clean
21st Jul 2017 9:21 pm
Batfink
Member Since: 31 May 2017
Location: Isle of Sheppey
Posts: 1510
The general plan was to wash first, then clay, then super resin polish then finish off with Meguiars wax. Plus also interior needa a good scrub and lots of glitter from previous owners brushed out and removed from all around centre console 😡2006 TdV6 HSE.
21st Jul 2017 9:24 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Plain water works, but soapy water just makes life easier
You will be horrified when you see the colour of the bar after you have used it!
21st Jul 2017 9:26 pm
Batfink
Member Since: 31 May 2017
Location: Isle of Sheppey
Posts: 1510
What would you add as a soaping agent? I use Autoglym shampoo to wash with.2006 TdV6 HSE.
21st Jul 2017 9:35 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13650
lynalldiscovery wrote:
Lots of soapy water for the clay bar, there is a proper spray but i just use whatever is to hand, well that was when I used to clean my cars!
also been tempted getting a clay bar , seeing i've now got a half decent landy , never used one before
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Batfink wrote:
What would you add as a soaping agent? I use Autoglym shampoo to wash with.
That will do just fine, last time I did it I used some Comma hand pump interior cleaner, I found using plain water the bar kept grabbing and leaving bits of itself on the paintwork, no big deal just use the bar to rub off the deposits.
If you have a quick search on some of the detailing forums you will find some very good advice.
22nd Jul 2017 5:33 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
Stuart. I've found the meguires clay kit very good.
Try and go for the expensive kit rather that starter, better in long run
Or if on a bugdet you can get clay bars from china for 99p ish on eBay.
I would avoid electric polishers.
You just don't need them once you have clayed it.
22nd Jul 2017 5:45 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13650
pete
thks for that
do like the meguires stuff and will indeed get a decent kit
only reason i was looking at the polishers was due to it being such a large car
will be interesting to see what the clay bar does, see they do a soft , medium and hard bar , assume that's how aggressive u wish to be
what do i think of the clay mitt, just thought it may be easier and not so easy to drop on the floor
not sure how hard the paintwork is on the discos
22nd Jul 2017 6:41 am
LaserTam
Member Since: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 828
As said, split the clay into smaller pieces. For nothing else, if you drop it on the ground it has to be binned - if you used it as one piece and dropped it after 30 secs, your wouldn't be best pleased. I too would recommend using soapy rather than plain water, it will slide across the paintwork much better. I use a quick detailer spray (meguiars I think), doesn't need much. Apply with a spray bottle would be easier.
Take your time, ideally don't do it in strong sunlight - shade or cloudy day ideally. Results are great.MY2012 D4 HSE Nara Bronze with some extra stuff
22nd Jul 2017 8:34 am
mick_n3
Member Since: 19 May 2017
Location: Kettering
Posts: 421
I used to use Meguiars stuff but now use Autobrite Direct, did a back to basics course with them in May best £50 I ever spent cover everything from pre wash to machine polish and sealants/waxes.
Did my D3 last week 2 days solid
Pre wash
Snow Foam
Wash
Clay
2 stage Machine Polish
Cherry Glaze
Ultra Slick Sealant
Carnuba wax
Then a gloss enhancer
On trims I tried Abyss paste sealant (expensive for a full tub but I got a sample pot which will do a complete car) but works a treat and out lasts normal trim stuff
M6NIO
22nd Jul 2017 9:04 am
Pete199
Member Since: 21 Feb 2016
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Posts: 187
This was last year. Quick wash and dry then Poorboys black hole polish and Poorboys nattys paste wax. Not a bad result for half a days work.
22nd Jul 2017 9:26 am
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
LaserTam wrote:
As said, split the clay into smaller pieces. For nothing else, if you drop it on the ground it has to be binned
Take your time, ideally don't do it in strong sunlight - shade or cloudy day ideally. Results are great.
What he said!
Also don't press down on the clay bar too hard, just let it glide over the surface.
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