Did the Zed with a clay bar today

R

RickRob

Lifer
 Ifold, West Sussex
In 43 years of owning cars I have never previously needed to clay bar a car. Thanks to West Sussex and Surrey using Tarmac that doesn't stick to the roads, but sticks very nicely to my Zed, I thought a clay bar would be necessary.

Got the Turtle Wax kit - clay bar and lubricant. I actually read and followed the instructions. It couldn't have been easier. The near side front wing and door were covered in bits of tar and other cr@p that a wash and polish wouldn't shift. I was super impressed with the result - glass type finish and very very shiny once polished.

I only started mid-afternoon so only got the front and near side done - clayed, pre-wax cleaner and carnuba wax. Fingers crossed for next Staurday being dry so that I can finish then and show off my efforts at the Newlands Corner meet on Sunday. Either way I'll post some pics when all done. :)
 
Nice one RickRob :thumbsup:

Like you I'd never ever thought of claying a car but once on the Forum, used the same kit on my first Zed 3 years ago. Suffice to say, even my wife was impressed by the result (so no laughing or belittling now when I clay the Zed as part of the cleaning process :lol: )
 
I too had never used a clay bar, before I embarked on this Zed for my winter project. I was amazed how easy it was and what a difference it made to previously flat paint work. Topped of with a couple of coats of hard wax and it looks the business.

Look forward to your pics Rick.

 
Number5 said:
I too had never used a clay bar, before I embarked on this Zed for my winter project. I was amazed how easy it was and what a difference it made to previously flat paint work. Topped of with a couple of coats of hard wax and it looks the business.

Look forward to your pics Rick.

Click to expand...

I just hope that mine looks as good as yours. That is a great job!
 
Try a clay mitt/clay cloth next time and you'll do the whole car in less than 1hr. Probably 30mins or so if it's not too bad.

Good thing with either of these is that they can be washed off if dropped whereas clay, once dropped, needs binning.
 
Number5 said:
I too had never used a clay bar, before I embarked on this Zed for my winter project. I was amazed how easy it was and what a difference it made to previously flat paint work. Topped of with a couple of coats of hard wax and it looks the business.

Look forward to your pics Rick.

Click to expand...

Looks like your efforts paid off!
 
Number5 said:
I too had never used a clay bar, before I embarked on this Zed for my winter project. I was amazed how easy it was and what a difference it made to previously flat paint work. Topped of with a couple of coats of hard wax and it looks the business.

Look forward to your pics Rick.

Click to expand...

Come up lovely. :thumbsup:
 
nb67 said:
Try a clay mitt/clay cloth next time and you'll do the whole car in less than 1hr. Probably 30mins or so if it's not too bad.

Good thing with either of these is that they can be washed off if dropped whereas clay, once dropped, needs binning.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I didn't realise that there were such things. Anything that creates for weekend driving time has to be good!
 
Rob, also worth getting some Tardis as this will get rid of most of it for you allowing the clay to do it's job that much easier.

When I did my bosses XFR towards the end of last year the lower half of the car felt just like pebble dash. Being black obviously not so visible. Took me an hour a side with tardis to get it to where I could then clay.
 
I started using clay bar kits around 7 years ago and found the results almost unbelievable.
What I really like is washing a car after it has been clayed, it just seems so much easier.
 
Just read a review of those clay mats, and ordered one. I hate claying!

Found a 7.5% discount code too.. CLAYCLOTH10

Mike
Click to expand...
Do you have a link for this? sounds good.
 
Just to add, don't waste you money on lubrication for claying, just use soapy water (your normal car shampoo is fine), if using clay put your soap drenched mitt on top of the panel so the soap runs down, you can then clay away using the soapy water as lube, if using a mitt or cloth this isn't as important because you will be dipping in your bucket although i still soak the panel i am doing.

You may also find you will have to polish after claying to bring the paint back to perfection.

Regards

Si
 
Simz said:
Just to add, don't waste you money on lubrication for claying, just use soapy water (your normal car shampoo is fine), if using clay put your soap drenched mitt on top of the panel so the soap runs down, you can then clay away using the soapy water as lube, if using a mitt or cloth this isn't as important because you will be dipping in your bucket although i still soak the panel i am doing.

You will also find you will have to polish after claying to bring the paint back to perfection.

Regards

Si
Click to expand...
That's what I do when claying,wash car and clay whilst washing so I can wash any clay deposits straight off.
 
+1 for clay mitt and soapy water.... :thumbsup:

Moved from clay bars to mitts around 3 years ago and have not looked back

usually only need to do the family fleet once per year, but depends on recent tarmac bodges by the local council :rofl:
 
I had never clayed until recently. Now completed the Audi and did my brothers Fiesta zetec S at the weekend. It's only a year old but it got lots of muck and tar off.

I have the AG kit but have Dodo juice lube to keep things all nice and slippery. Gave a fantastic result on the fiesta and left the paint smooth and glass like. Once it was then waxed it came up a treat (it's panther black).
 
It was 13 March that I did the front and left side of my Zed. Since then I just haven't had the time to finish it! :headbang:

Might get some time tomorrow if the Indy finishes fixing the oil leak he created and replacing the air con belt and a bulb. Otherwise it's going to have to be Saturday to be clean and shiny for the English/Welsh meet on Sunday.

Just saying this to assure you that I didn't forget to post pics - that would be embarrassing for me, what with my nagging of everyone else! :lol:
 
If you haven't tried it already try the G3 Clay mitts. An excellent bit of kit and makes it a lot quicker too. Just make sure loads of lube is applied :)
 
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