hey guys,

i've been using the 3m clay bar and i'm just not satisfied with the results. i feel that i can get my detail to shine a lot more if i used a different clay bar (since preping the car is 3/4 the battle).

i know griott's makes a great clay bar (my friend uses it).

what about meguiars, etc.

thanks a lot!

-mike

hey guys,

i've been using the 3m clay bar and i'm just not satisfied with the results. i feel that i can get my detail to shine a lot more if i used a different clay bar (since preping the car is 3/4 the battle).

i know griott's makes a great clay bar (my friend uses it).

what about meguiars, etc.

thanks a lot!

-mike
As long as your surface is smooth after claying, then the clay is doing it's job. The clay is not the weak link in your system. If you feel your car can be shinier, then you should focus on your polishing technique, and polishes, because THEY will make the difference in shine.

What steps do you do now for prep? I know you clay, but what else? Do you polish? If so, what polish do you use? Do you do it by hand? Do you have any swirls or oxidation?

These will all contribute to lack of shine?

David.

PS: I use the 3M clay and love it. It works very well. It is a much more agressive clay than some of the others.

well my prep is much like any other detail. i'm just fed up with 3M clay because it leaves clay streaks behind. i've tried adding more solution and water so it doesn't do that but still no luck.

here's my process:
wash
clay bar whole car
wash and rinse
dry
compound with dual cyclo machine green pads
polish with dual cyclo machine white pads
meguiar's swirl remover with dual cyclo machine white pads
zymol wax
ps100 paste wax

usually it's fine but when i'm detailing a car for the first time, sometimes i still feel dirt particles on the paint. now the clay bar should be picking those up, right?

thanks for the input though.

-mike

well my prep is much like any other detail. i'm just fed up with 3M clay because it leaves clay streaks behind. i've tried adding more solution and water so it doesn't do that but still no luck.

here's my process:
wash
clay bar whole car
wash and rinse
dry
compound with dual cyclo machine green pads
polish with dual cyclo machine white pads
meguiar's swirl remover with dual cyclo machine white pads
zymol wax
ps100 paste wax

usually it's fine but when i'm detailing a car for the first time, sometimes i still feel dirt particles on the paint. now the clay bar should be picking those up, right?

thanks for the input though.

-mike
Yeah, the clay should be picking up the contamination. But it also depends on how thorough of a job you do. How long does it take you to clay? I usually take anywhere from 2-3 hours to clay a car. I know some guys who tak 20 minutes to clay. I'm sure you can imagine the difference in quality of work. I've never had the 3M clay streak on me. I use the mothers QD as my lube. If you are using a soap and water solution, then that may be the problem.

David.

it takes me a good 45 min to clay but that's because i don't want my car covered in clay streaks so i only do the parts that feel rough. but when i'm done they still feel rough. also, i use a clay lubricant mixed with a small amount of water.

-mike

it takes me a good 45 min to clay but that's because i don't want my car covered in clay streaks so i only do the parts that feel rough. but when i'm done they still feel rough. also, i use a clay lubricant mixed with a small amount of water.

-mike
Do you wipe off the quick detailer with a towel after you finish claying each section (1/2 of hood, 1 door, etc)? If you don't then I would guess that this why you are getting streaking. If you do, then I'm surprised. Do you follow the claying technique in detailing 101?

David.

the griot's clay is really mild. don't waste your money on anything in that catalog. i like clay magic. it comes in two strengths i believe. .02

Clay magic blue bar is identical to the 3M clay. Exact same thing.

Autopia has some cheap, high-qual. clay.

read over the tutorial and it's just how i do it. i think it's just the lubricant i'm using. i've never tried it with the meguiar's quick detailer. i'll give that a shot next week and let you know.

thanks a lot!

-mike

wipe off the clay lube as you go.

and maybe try a different color of clay. 3m is good clay.

also make sure the area you are claying is cool. i've noticed that clay streaks when either the surface or the actual claybar is too warm (clay melts onto the paint).

Also, make sure that you spray a ton of QD onto the area as well. It will also streak if there isn't enough lubrication on the paint.

well i detailed the m3 again yesterday and i used the qd with the clay bar. i'm very impressed and the process went well. i didn't snap any pictures though. :( i'm gonna try this process again next week too! *i should have my new wheels by then, so i'll take pics then. :)

thanks for everything guys!

-mike