help with clay bar and cleaner wax

[tuOdekcalB]

So I was planning on doing cleaner wax then reg wax my car but i decided to clay bar it as well. Is claybarin it the same as using the cleaner wax or if i claybar then cleaner wax then wax would i get a even better shine/protection?

 

[msp_rad]

i would use the clay bar, but only if your car needs it... if it feel rough to the touch, than clay it, if its not that bad (which i think an 09 shouldnt be) than just use the cleaner wax

 

[tuOdekcalB]

Ok, I am kinda OCD so i prob will just claybar then wax and leave out the cleaner wax for later use.

 

[DeanSweet]

it's just a waste of your clay bar unless your car parks under a tree or something? an '09 shouldn;t need to be bar'd yet? actually a cleaner wax is prolly too soon as well. With how thin the Mazda paint is I would keep adding coats of wax to it. How many miles on your car?

 

[tuOdekcalB]

I have only like 3500 on it and it is garage kept. I know it uncalled for to do, but I like things like perfect and i want to get a coat or 2 on a pure clean surface which the clay bar will do.

 

[mazdadude]

Use the clay with appropriate lubricant, then use a paint cleaner, then polish, then wax twice.

Clay will help remove the above surface contaminants, paint cleaner removes the surface contaminants, the polish helps remove the fine scratches, and then the wax protects the polished surface.

Using a Cleaner/Wax helps to save some time and elbow grease, but it won't give you the best result. If you are taking the time to clay, taking the extra steps outlined above will give you the results you will be happy with.

One thing you can do is to try the clay/cleaner wax method on one body panel, then try the other, more time consuming "anal" method on an adjacent panel and discover if you can feel/see the difference.

 

[jersey_emt]

Even a brand new car you just drove off the dealer's lot should be claybarred.

Cars are usually transported by rail around the country from the manufacturer's plant (or from the port of origin for cars built overseas). Rail dust gets embedded into the paint, and a claybar is the only way to really get rid of it and many other contaminants that is undoubtedly there as well.

Think your car doesn't need to be claybarred? Take a plastic bag, the cellophane from a pack of cigarettes, etc. and rub it gently across the paint. All of that grittiness is junk embedded in the paint. Claybar it until the paint feels smooth through the plastic bag.

 

[tuOdekcalB]

I would love to do all of that but for some reason i am so slow at it. Just to wash/wax takes me like 4-5 hours even though i hear people do it in 1.5-2 hours. add claybar prob will be like 6-7 hours if not more

 

[AllyMazda3]

clay the front bumper, mirrors and hatch. thats what will need it the most. then wax the whole car.

 

[jersey_emt]

I can claybar my Miata in less than 2 hours, so you should not have any problems doing your car in about 3 hours.

Or, you could just claybar the whole car in sections. Do a couple of body panels at a time until the whole car is done. The contaminants will be present on every part of the car, not just the front bumper, mirrors, and hatch.

It's well worth it.

 

[mazdadude]

I can claybar my Miata in less than 2 hours, so you should not have any problems doing your car in about 3 hours.

Or, you could just claybar the whole car in sections. Do a couple of body panels at a time until the whole car is done. The contaminants will be present on every part of the car, not just the front bumper, mirrors, and hatch.

It's well worth it.

Just as the mighty worm once said: "Inch by inch it's a cinch, yard by yard it's just too hard."
That is exactly how I approached it, one panel at a time.

For the Miata, it took me about 5 days of about 45min-1hr at a time, over a period of a week or so. This equals about 5hrs for a clay, clean, polish, wax treatment. Breaking it up like this made it easier to stay focused, and maintain the same level of workmanship throughout the job.

Once you are done, it will look awesome! Plus, it will be much easier to keep it clean and pretty!

 

[ThrillRide]

So I was planning on doing cleaner wax then reg wax my car but i decided to clay bar it as well. Is claybarin it the same as using the cleaner wax or if i claybar then cleaner wax then wax would i get a even better shine/protection?

Clay bar is not the same as cleaner wax. Claybar is for contaminates that become embedded in your clear. Cleaner waxes do not have the power to remove such issues. Cleaner waxes will remove some minor oxidation, water spotting, and light blemishes. Your best shine comes from proper prep. The better you prep the finish the better you wax/sealant product will look on the paint. So test a section of your paint with the claybar. Got gunk? Do the whole thing. Use the cleaner wax if needed.

Takes a little getting used to, but just follow the instructions and you should be fine. Takes me about 30 mins to clay an average size car. You can clay as you wash too to help save some time. Just use a higher concentrate of your wash soap than usual for better lubricity.

Just be careful. I've seen some really messed up paint due to improper use of clay bars.

 

[tuOdekcalB]

Yea I have done clay bar before but never during washing, i might try that out, box came with showtime spray from mothers which i will use since it said dont use ur soap and water and i prob over use the showtime to just to make sure i have plenty of lube. Alright so i will prob just claybar whole car then wax.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

I've never clayed and I'm planning on doing it soon. Does one clay bar do the whole car? Do the packages usually come with some kind of spray?

 

[ThrillRide]

I've never clayed and I'm planning on doing it soon. Does one clay bar do the whole car? Do the packages usually come with some kind of spray?

Yes one bar is plenty for one car and then some. Unless you have the worst paint in the world lol. Yes most of the kits come with a spray. I don't like the spray that comes with the Meg's kit. It doesn't have that great of lubricity. Of the OTC clay kits out there I like Clay Magic...well I prefer it to most kits available anywhere.

Check this thread for more info: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123682795

 

[sanblaster]

I do it every other time I wash my 09. I have the cwp and I see everything. I only do parts of the car though.

 

[tuOdekcalB]

I do it every other time I wash my 09. I have the cwp and I see everything. I only do parts of the car though.

wow that's crazy i heard you should do it every year if garage kep and every 6 months in outside.

 

[tuOdekcalB]

Wondering is someone could outline a way to detail my car.
for example like
1. wash
2.claybar
3. polish
4. wax
ect... but in the right order to do it

also i will be doing everything by hand since i dont have machines and if i did wouldnt know how to use them

 

[ThrillRide]

wow that's crazy i heard you should do it every year if garage kep and every 6 months in outside.

Depends on the situation in which your car lives and how well you take care of it. Client cars that I maintain on a regular basis will probably never need clay work any more extensive than some bug and tar every now and then. Once I do it the first time I take care of them well enough that they won't ever need it again.

 

[ThrillRide]

Wondering is someone could outline a way to detail my car.
for example like
1. wash
2.claybar
3. polish
4. wax
ect... but in the right order to do it

also i will be doing everything by hand since i dont have machines and if i did wouldnt know how to use them

Well...
Check the stickies. There is some good info aleady here for you. Check out autopia's guide to detailing http://www.autopia.org/publish/categories/Auto-Detailing-and-Car-Care/Guide-To-Detailing/. Do some searching as well. Good chance we have talked about some of your specific questions. For instance this thread regarding clay; if you had searched clay you would have found my FAQ.

Your 1-4, is fine in that order. Just take your time and do it right the first time.