Just wanted to share my comments on something I did recently. Every time I washed my car I would run my hand across the hood and still feel 'dirt'. It was similar to the feeling of sandpaper. So I did some research and bought Mother's Clay Bar kit...it worked wonders. After you wash your car, just spray, rub with the clay, then wipe off leftover spray. I did my whole car in about 30 minutes. It didn't make a different in appearance, but now it feels as smooth as a baby's bottom. 100% recommended

 

now wax it.

 

Claying:

1. Use dishwasher liquid and wash car.
2. Clay.
3. Wax.
4. Wax some more.
5. Periodic waxing.

 

I have to try it myself.

 

Dishwasher liquid will take off the wax, which is not necessary for the clay. All you need with the clay is lubrication, so a car wash liquid, which is not a detergent and will not strip off the wax, will work perfectly.

 

I washed it normally and used the spray that the kit came with, smelled like cinnamon lol The kit comes with the bottle of spray, 2 clay bars, and a microfiber towel which was nice. If your car is already smooth you may notice a slight or no difference, but mine was night and day. I dont know why my car was so bad to begin with, maybe something was up with the guy that owned it before me. I did the entire car including the windows.

 

i just use water from a spray bottle to lubricate prior to claying.

 

Yes it does feel good getting all the grit out with the clay.. though I have a black SC so in direct sunlight I cringe at some parts of my car with the swirl marks so now I am pondering if I should get the porter cable 7424xp and try to take the swirls out myself or go to a professional.. Im leaning on DIY. Black is a love/hate color in every sense.

 

I got the Porter Cable for my black car and love it. Read up on how to use it at autopia; the most important part is getting the right pads and using the correct polishes. It's hard to harm the paint using the PC and the correct polishes.
Highly recommended.

 

You will want to wax it now, because claying the car removes all wax that is on it...

 

Glad to hear positive feedback on this. I been delaying getting the PC for a bit now but your positive comment from a black sc owner himself might get my lazy butt to have me buy tomorrow.

Just curious did you a 2 step polish (like Merzerna Super Intensive Polish finished with Merzerna Nano Polish) ? What pads did you use? I emailed Todd@properautocare a couple weeks ago and he recommended the following..

" I would get the Porter Cable XP with a 5 inch backing plate and 5.5 inch LOW PROFILE hydro tech pads. You will want at least 2 of each.

For polishes I would get Menzerna SIP for removing the swirl marks and Menzerna Nano for finishing to a high gloss finish. Use the Super Intensive Polish with either Cyan or Tangerine H20 pads (cyan is more aggressive so use this if the Tangerine isn't powerful enough. When you are happy with the swirl removal go over the paint with Menzerna Nano and a Crimson Low Profile H20 pad."

 

my wife had a black MB SLK 280 that developed terrible swirls. i used a porter 7484xp and it did a great job. Just don't get in a hurry.

 

System: that recommendation is pretty much what I purchased several years ago. I suspect that the only differences, which seem slight, are due to new product or renamed products. Menzerna polishes are excellent.

 

I have a black sc430. Just use spay on polymer and wipe off with a microfiber cloth.

It makes my car shining like new and it has a wet look too.