Clay Bar and Waxing
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Clay Bar and Waxing
Curious if anyone has clay barred their cars and have any before / after?
Mine is 2008 and I'm thinking this type of treatment might make the paint look amazing.
Anyone?
Mine is 2008 and I'm thinking this type of treatment might make the paint look amazing.
Anyone?
#2
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
Having the paint look amazing is a multi-step process. Claying the car will simply remove contaminants from the paint. The next step would be polishing to remove paint defects and waxing to get that rich shine.
You could clay your vehicle and call it a day, but if you're going for amazing, I highly recommend all three.
You could clay your vehicle and call it a day, but if you're going for amazing, I highly recommend all three.
#3
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
Hi OP... as previously mentioned, using detailing clay is just one part of the detailing process.
A clay bar is meant to remove bonded surface contamination in order to produce a smooth, and truly clean surface. This should be done after the vehicle has been properly washed, and should be followed up with polishing and then the protection of your choice (wax, sealant or nano coating).
For more information on the decontamination process, check out these articles I wrote:
Explaining the Decontamination Process (Part 1) by Zach McGovern
Explaining the Decontamination Process (Part 2) by Zach McGovern
For more information on the entire detailing process, check out the Detailed Image Detailing Guide.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-Zach
A clay bar is meant to remove bonded surface contamination in order to produce a smooth, and truly clean surface. This should be done after the vehicle has been properly washed, and should be followed up with polishing and then the protection of your choice (wax, sealant or nano coating).
For more information on the decontamination process, check out these articles I wrote:
Explaining the Decontamination Process (Part 1) by Zach McGovern
Explaining the Decontamination Process (Part 2) by Zach McGovern
For more information on the entire detailing process, check out the Detailed Image Detailing Guide.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-Zach
#4
Rookie
Thread Starter
Oh man, awesome! Thank you so much! My post was not very clear, but my subject line sort of hinted at the wax too. I know that it should be washed / clay'd / waxed / buffed. I was hoping to see some user images that have done this to 2006-2009 era where our paint is a bit older. Thanks so much for your links, I will read them!
#6
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
What color is your car? Mines a black 2007 IS and if you didnt know your IS models youd think its brand new. I get compliments all the time on my car and all my work is done by hand. Do this, clay, mothers cleaner polish, your choice of wax. Spray wax after each wash and keep up on your washes. Dont let your car go like a lot of slobs.
#7
Rookie
Thread Starter
its smoky granite mica and it's 2008.. its very very good looking but its 8 years old and as far as i know its never been clay barred. i am going to research this and either do it mysefl or pay a local dude to come out and do it.. i cool insipirado story on your 2007!!
I see the brand new 2016 chevy crappy econo cars on the road and the paint is just GLOWING and SHINING.. i want mine to look like a chevy econo 8K car. just kidding, i want my paint to look brand new.
I see the brand new 2016 chevy crappy econo cars on the road and the paint is just GLOWING and SHINING.. i want mine to look like a chevy econo 8K car. just kidding, i want my paint to look brand new.
Trending Topics
#8
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
its smoky granite mica and it's 2008.. its very very good looking but its 8 years old and as far as i know its never been clay barred. i am going to research this and either do it mysefl or pay a local dude to come out and do it.. i cool insipirado story on your 2007!!
I see the brand new 2016 chevy crappy econo cars on the road and the paint is just GLOWING and SHINING.. i want mine to look like a chevy econo 8K car. just kidding, i want my paint to look brand new.
I see the brand new 2016 chevy crappy econo cars on the road and the paint is just GLOWING and SHINING.. i want mine to look like a chevy econo 8K car. just kidding, i want my paint to look brand new.
#10
Rookie
Thread Starter
Need some help buying the product... Clay, Lube? Chemical Guys stuff?
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
#11
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Need some help buying the product... Clay, Lube? Chemical Guys stuff?
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
#12
Just buy a mothers, or meguiar's clay bar kit. It will work great and contain everything you need. I would buy meguiar's ultimate compound if you just have light imperfections.
Last edited by Coleroad; 06-05-16 at 02:49 PM.
#13
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Need some help buying the product... Clay, Lube? Chemical Guys stuff?
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
What suds/wash do you use? I do not plan on getting super nuts with pressure washer and foam gun and all of the silly stuff I have seen on youtube. Im going to use normal city water and a hose and a bucket.
Need recc's on SUDS, CLAY BAR, LUBE. how do i know what clay bar hard, medimu soft? 2008 is350.
and then whatever product is meant afterwards.... a wax? a polish? a sealant? my paint will be "vulnerable" rigth after a clay job, right?
So i suds it, wash it, dry it, lube it, clay it. And yes, I will clay the glass to. Once I am clayed all over what is the next step? I'm basically going to dedicated an entire saturday to this.
thanks so much.
sorry for all the total noob questions. i have been a $5 drive thru car wash guy my whole life, but this lexus deserves better. nicest car I've owned yet.
Then I'd go with Griot's waxes and polishes. My black looks like it's wet.
#14
Rookie
Thread Starter
Hey dude bros... What about GRIT GUARDS? Do i need to buy them? Sounds like they will fit in the $2 home depot orange bucket, so is step 1 for a wash to buy two home depot bucks and two grit guards? use one bucker for clean water and another for the soap suds?
what is the suds of choice around these parts.. and as for CLAY, do i need MEDIUM for my IS350?
what is the suds of choice around these parts.. and as for CLAY, do i need MEDIUM for my IS350?
#15
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Yes get those grit guards for sure along with the spinning lids for a tight seal from contaminants. The type of clay depends on the contaminants you are removing. Why not just buy the one I already linked? Can't go wrong under $20, if you aren't happy with the results then you can get more aggressive.