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Topic: Clay Bar Again?

in Forum: C3 Car Care


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Clay Bar Again? (1/13)
 6/1/08 6:04pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Recently, I started the Mequires 3 step system...  Well, I actually started with the Clay Bar, but then never got any of the coats of wax on before I took my 1,000 mile trip recently.
 
Now, the car still looks great (I did get through all of the steps last year), but it doesn't feel as smooth as it did before.  Do I need to Clay Bar it again before the wax coats (I have, of course washed it since I got home)?
 
Any suggestions?  I'm thinking another round of the clay bar probably wouldn't hurt...


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Clay Bar Again? (2/13)
 6/1/08 6:53pm
dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe


Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6833

I agree. The clay bar will remove any small stuff that you picked up on the 1000 mile trip.
It certainly won't hurt.
The wax that baby right away to protect it and make her shine.


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Clay Bar Again? (3/13)
 6/1/08 7:10pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Thumbs%20Up  I agree...clay the car again before polishing and waxing.  Claying the car removes any pollutants, acid rain or other contaminants the car picked up.  Use a quick detailer regularly to keep it clean after waxing. 

There's lots of good products on the market...Meguiar's is as good as it gets for over the counter stuff.  Great quality stuff and you can find it most anywhere.
Clay Bar Again? (4/13)
 6/1/08 8:27pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Thanks.  Mequires is what I use.
 
Rain?!?  What kind of trip do you think I took?  I didn't allow rain on the car!  LOL


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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!


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Clay Bar Again? (5/13)
 6/2/08 5:43am
DaveMLifetime Member
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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.


Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

The clay bar and the 3 step system is what I use and I like the results.
Wax on, wax off phew
Dave


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Clay Bar Again? (6/13)
 6/7/08 4:46pm
PSU 98
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Shenandoah, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Chevrolet Corvette


Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328

Once you've given the car a good clay, you can usually keep up with it by "spot" claying the areas that pick up the most junk.  Surprisingly I've found it's usually the vertical panels (like doors and fenders) that need it, and not the horizontal ones (roof and hood).  Claying is a very time- and work-intensive process and I wouldn't want to have to do an entire car frequently  Dead 
Clay Bar Again? (7/13)
 6/7/08 9:36pm
turbo78vair
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Franklin, IN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 pace car replica


Joined: 5/3/2008
Posts: 117

Hope you and family haven't had any of this problem weather this week in Indy area.  We live about 3 miles from the path of the tornado that went through Princes Lake, Camp Atterbury and Edinburgh on Tuesday.  Now it's the rain.  Something like 8 to 10 inches in the past couple days.  Some electric off,  our water pressure is about gone and we have several inches of water in our crawlspace. 
 
Hey,  the pace car is high and dry along with all other vehicles.  Alot more fortunate than many others.  Our Corvette club president lives in Edinburgh.  They didn't have any tornado damage, but the water is getting very close to their house.  He moved their 67 to a friends garage early today in very heavy downpour. 
 
Many folks need our prayers. 
 
Take care
Gary
Clay Bar Again? (8/13)
 6/8/08 1:48pm
tuxblacrayLifetime Member
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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...


Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

I use the clay bar each spring. It isn't that time consuming if the car's paint is in pretty good shape. I know your car is a great candidate for this with all of the love it has received during your ownership.

Besides you have a great view of the neighborhood from your garage while your working those little fingers to the bone......

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Clay Bar Again? (9/13)
 6/25/08 8:03pm
79FOREVER
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METAIRIE, LA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 BLACK COUPE


Joined: 6/7/2007
Posts: 144

Marshall,

 

I am a big fan of Mequires, but I just purchased and use Griots Garage Machine Polishing System and Products and they were great.  His Best of Show wax can be a killer to get off by hand, but the finish is great.  That stuff is a ture carnauba wax.  www.griotsgarage.com.   Always clay before you polish or wax, there is stuff on your paint.  The finish should be very smooth to the touch.  Major difference if done correctly.

 

Good luck,

 

Joe

79FOREVER2008-06-25 17:05:31
Clay Bar Again? (10/13)
 6/25/08 9:32pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

[QUOTE=79FOREVER]

Marshall,

 

I am a big fan of Mequires, but I just purchased and use Griots Garage Machine Polishing System and Products and they were great.  His Best of Show wax can be a killer to get off by hand, but the finish is great.  That stuff is a ture carnauba wax.  www.griotsgarage.com.   Always clay before you polish or wax, there is stuff on your paint.  The finish should be very smooth to the touch.  Major difference if done correctly.

 

Good luck,

 

Joe

[/QUOTE]

I use Best of Show Wax and made the mistake you did.  If it's difficult to get off, it's because 1), you put it on too thick, and 2), it must have been pretty warm and humid.  Been there, done that.

What happens is when the wax is put on too thick in high humidity the surface dries before the lower layer and when you try to buff it off it smears.  That's why they say put it on in a very thin coat.  If it smears, spray it with their Speed Shine quick detail spray or a water mist and it will wipe right off.

The Best of Show Wax is awesome stuff.  I use their Carnauba Stick Wax as a base coat and Best of Show on top and it it looks even better.  Griot's has great products.
Clay Bar Again? (11/13)
 6/25/08 10:06pm
tuxblacrayLifetime Member
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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...


Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

Hey Marshall I am getting ready to clay bar Blizzard agin since Hot springs. I think I got some pollutants on it driving in all of that RAIN!   

Besides I want to put on a different wax other than Meguires. I don't think it makes the white "pop" like it should. I am thinking of giving Adams Polish a try. I have read some good things about it but I guess I won;t know until I give it a try huh?

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Clay Bar Again? (12/13)
 6/26/08 3:51pm
PSU 98
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Shenandoah, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Chevrolet Corvette


Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328

Adam's makes a very nice product.  Alot of their stuff is geared toward machine polishing now, but if you're looking for a wax product then pick up some 'Butter Wax'.  Their 'VRT' dressing is an excellent product as well.
You might also try some Meguiar's NXT 2.0 from Wal-Mart (or wherever you get your Meg's stuff) first.   
Clay Bar Again? (13/13)
 6/26/08 9:03pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

I finally got off my butt and did the clay bar again last night.  Then I put on step one wax this morning in the garage.  Step 2 will be tomorrow morning.  I am hoping to go to the Super Chevy Show this weekend, but I don't think I will due to rain.

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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!


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