Car Soaps and Waxes?

[rlhammon]

Originally Posted by Chip Can one of you describe what is involved in using a claybar? Are there any dangers of scratching the paint when using clay?

If you want technical details on clay bar, you should do a search or read some of the sites that are posted near the start of this thread.

As far as usage... I've never found it to be difficult. You should soften up the clay a bit by squeezing it in your hands and rolling it a bit like you might do with dough for baking. You should then use a wetting solution (some use soapy water, some use detailers spray) to just wet the car's surface and run the clay bar over the car. You don't need to apply any real pressure, don't use the clay like a sanding block or anything. Wash the car, dry it off, spary a little lubricant of your choice on the car and gently move the clay bar over the paint surface.

You'll want to work the clay around a bit in your hands after it's picked up the gritty stuff off of your car so that you have a "clean" section of clay to work with.

Read the directions on the box.. but it's super simple to do and really results in a great finish afterwards.

[SlySol]

Originally Posted by Chip Can one of you describe what is involved in using a claybar? Are there any dangers of scratching the paint when using clay?

It is slightly abrasive, but as long as you don't do it all the time and you keep it well lubricated, it should not be a problem at all. Detailers use it all the time. RLH gave some good advice. The only thing I would add is that I have found the spray included with the bar isn't always very slick and I prefer using dish soap directly on the bar. Just be careful not to drop it in the dirt because it can get pretty slippery. You should also wash the car first and keep it wet while using the clay. There should be very little friction when you're using it. Glide your fingers over the car and you should feel the difference ... it should be smooth as glass. Again, that should be completely unnecessary for a new car and only used on rare occasions.

[tcl]

Originally Posted by mceb We are going to need a whole car care forum eventually. If you are into higher-end stuff and "detailing" check out these sites. Pretty hard-core stuff. I'm still wading through it myself. http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ http://www.properautocare.com/index.html http://www.autogeek.net/ http://www.bettercarcare.com/ It's a whole world onto itself

Also check out these two forums under the product discussions:

http://www.detailcity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1
http://autopia.org/forums/

Product reviews can be found here:

http://www.detailcity.com/reviews/
http://autopia.org/review/

I use the polymer product below (UPP) on all my cars:

http://www.premiumautocare.com/fostulpapr.html

I also apply a coat of Klasse all-in-one (AIO) before the UPP polymer on my daily drivers. I can go 6 months or more with the finish still looking glossy and beading water well.

[PAS22]

I generally sware by Megguires products. Liquid polish and wax are easy to apply and remove. 3M pro products are also very good but more pricey. Believe it or not the best chrome cleaner (not that there is much of that on the Sol) and liquid wax that I have found is Harley Davidson's line of products. Use both on my truck!

[1 Sly Sol]

The clay bar is a must if you car has been on the road a while. My 86 Grand Prix has been in storage for about the last 5 years and I have always kept it clean and out of the winter but the finish felt rough even after waxing it last week(waxed it when i put it away 5 years ago and only wiped it off since then). I then clay bared it and it is slick as new and the shine is 10x better. Once you use the clay bar the finish is much better.

[1 Sly Sol]

Originally Posted by rlhammon My problem with Zaino (and I've never used it) is that it appears to take forever to apply.

The only time consuming part is the first time because you will want to clay bar the car. You can skip this on a new car. I got the additive and it works fine I can apply the wax to the whole car and it is ready to wipe off right away. Applying the gloss enhancer only takes 5 min.

[1 Sly Sol]

Originally Posted by achieftain Consider also that the finish on the SOl and virtually ALL new cars is clear-coat. So you are not polishing the color as in the past, just removing oxidants and pollution from the clear top coat without scratching it which is what dulls the finish. I am forever sold on product called AstroSHield, which is a polish ing glaze and not a wax. It goes on so easy, by hand or machine and is very conducive to being applied strictly with your bare hand and can be applied to entire car before removal. It takes less cloths for rubbing off as there is less residue produced. The result if done according to directions (two applications) is good for 6 months like they claim. I also have used NuFinish with similar ease of application and results. Both of these can be topped with a wax but I have found it not always necessary. EagleOne Fast Finsh (I think thats the one, that you just spritz on and wipe off is good for in between times. The aforementioned polishes are also excellent at removing tar and sap while you rub.

I have 2 cans of Astro Shield that my Father-in-law gave me about 10 yrs. ago and I have never tried it. Maybe I should give it a try.

[rlhammon]

Originally Posted by ateam_77 The only time consuming part is the first time because you will want to clay bar the car. You can skip this on a new car. I got the additive and it works fine I can apply the wax to the whole car and it is ready to wipe off right away. Applying the gloss enhancer only takes 5 min.

Thanks for the information. I hadn't followed Zaino's product for a while, so I was glad to see the additive addition. I think I'll be picking up one of the gift pack sets... might as well get the one with the leather cleaner in it since my Solstice will have leather.

[Excelsior]

Hmmm, looks like I might have to spend the first few days with the car doing some prep. Here are a few independant reviews that include Zaino.

http://www.nsxsc.com/nsexcitement/waxtest.html

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/gheumann/zaino_test

Carnauba based waxes are popular, but they have a tendency of yellowing the paint over time. I will be using Clay Bars once a year, and following that up with some DriWash -n- Guard. Great stuff.

[mceb]

Originally Posted by tcl I also apply a coat of Klasse all-in-one (AIO) before the UPP polymer on my daily drivers. I can go 6 months or more with the finish still looking glossy and beading water well.

I've only wonderful things about Klasse AIO and their other product that goes only afterwards (forget the name right now).

[mceb]

Originally Posted by Chip Can one of you describe what is involved in using a claybar? Are there any dangers of scratching the paint when using clay?

I agree with SlySol, it's not for all the time use...thought is helped in restoring issues with the a dmaged finish which should not be a problem in new car.

I think my normal ritual will be very mild "all-in-one" type cleaner/polish to remove old wax and help with minor swirls and such followed by a wax (in my case a polymer/acrylic) every 6 months. Detailing spray for touch-ups..

[dls6774]

I have taken a liking to Meguires NXT.
Nanotechnology based?
I don't know about that but it is easy on and easy off.

[tcl]

Originally Posted by mceb I've only wonderful things about Klasse AIO and their other product that goes only afterwards (forget the name right now).

It's called Klasse Sealant Glaze (SG). If you go through those detailing forums you'll find that a lot of people use Klasse AIO as a first coat but use different brands of sealants for the top coat.

When I was first researching sealants I saw some negative posts about SG experiences that made me try others products instead. If I remember correctly it was either difficulty in applying it or cloudly spots remaining in the finish. One of these days I'll give SG a shot and see how it compares to the two sealants I currently use on top of AIO (UPP and Blackfire).

[palmer]

I tried a claybar on my '99 Miata last week. Can't say that I noticed much effect. Of course, between me hitting deer with the car and my daughter hitting a tree next to the driveway, most of the paint on the car is pretty new anyway.