Clay - Snake Oil??

Iron-x and Tardis pre-claying is definitely the way to go. There was so much crud coming off mine when I got her that I wiped out a clay bar on 3 panels. Pre treating removed a good 80% of the crud before finishing with clay. Make sure you've got all the chemicals off first though as it will dissolve the clay and leave clay residue all over the place. Guess how I found out :headbang:
 
What's Iron-X and Tardis then?

Sorry for the constant questions - never clayed a car before!

I think with mine it's more of an issue sorting scratches out :s
 
Yes..

But to get to the scratches without causing further damage you need to remove the layer above them..

Removing scratches will need a light machine polish,but if you try and skip the clay stage all you will do is swirl the contaminants that are already stuck to the body..Causing more scratches and swirls..
 
As has been said, the car will need a good machine polish to remove the swirls. BMW paint tends to be very hard so trying to remove swirls by hand is virtually impossible
 
thorpyuk said:
What machine polisher would you guys reccomend for a newbie? (PS Not too expensive!)

Thanks
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I'd personally recommend a Dual Action polisher rather than a Rotary for a beginner because it's much harder to damage your paint with a DA.

The attached link has most of the popular ones. I personally have the Meguiars G220 which I think is great but I'm sure the DAS for example is as good. Someone with more experience will no doubt contribute with their views as well.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/cat_68.html
 
I was a clay virgin until I read about it on the forum and am usually a bit sceptical about wonder products (worse if they have daft names or colours e.g. poor nannas lime goo etc) but I clayed the Zed with a seal and hand polish to finish and although it's not to the standard of some of the guys on here it came up noticeably glossier. All I know is I washed the car and clayed it to find that loads of *h1t was lifted off on to the clay, so it does something.

I picked it up from from having all the little dents, scratches and scuffs removed yesterday and am looking forward to a clay and wax once this bloody rain stops, it's going to look mint. :thumbsup:
 
After claying your car the dirt will wash off so much easier next time, since you're back to a nice smooth surface.
 
I have a DAS 6 Pro...

Its a great DA and it really is all you would ever need..... I have done about 6 cars with it now and it does the job a treat..

You will also have to buy pads and compound/polish/glaze............The 3M system is the easist to understand and its great to use..

I use Menzerna products and pads,but will be flipping to the 3M when it all runs out..
 
That Tardis stuff ain't cheap... However I'll be getting some, plus some iron-x. Then some clay. Bugger. Another £50 gone in a flash :roll:
 
Ok, i decided to bite the bullet & give it a go. I bought some T-Cut detailing clay, and had a stab at the boot.

The end result - made absolutely no difference whatsoever. Nothing at all came off onto the clay. So much so that i wonder if i did it wrong?

Before i write the whole thing off i will have a go at the front bumper area, as i suspect that this is the area most likely to suffer from ground in dirt, but at the moment i think i'll just stick to washing it and save the time & money!!
 
thorpyuk said:
Ok, i decided to bite the bullet & give it a go. I bought some T-Cut detailing clay, and had a stab at the boot.

The end result - made absolutely no difference whatsoever. Nothing at all came off onto the clay. So much so that i wonder if i did it wrong?

Before i write the whole thing off i will have a go at the front bumper area, as i suspect that this is the area most likely to suffer from ground in dirt, but at the moment i think i'll just stick to washing it and save the time & money!!
Click to expand...

If your car is clean and rarely used, clay may not pick up anything. But the paintwork will feel smoother if you've done it properly.
 
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