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Thread: Clay Technique

  1. #1
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    Clay Technique

    How exactly do you clay a car? I haven`t done it in a good 8 years, and im nervous to try it on my car, 2001 x5. Doesnt seem too hard, but i dont wanna waste an hour and have to do it again.

    I remember something like you go in the driection the wind goes over the car??? Circular motion? Up and down?


    Thanks guys.

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    also in a $150 interior and exterior detail, do you guys include claying? or should that be an extra?

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    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    how I "clay" a car...

    On a clean and dry car:[list=1][*] break off a piece of clay (about a 1" ball) and flatten it out[*] mist lubricating product* onto surface with one hand[*] clay in front to back motions using the other hand[*] flip the flattened piece over and continue[*] fold it two or three times kneading it back into a working size piece and continue. [/list=1]

    * Megs Final Inspection, AM body shine #49, Window Cleaner, Water with a couple drops of Ivory soap, etc...
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

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    Recovering Postaholic rhillstr's Avatar
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    I`d like to add:

    Use LIGHT pressure and glide it back and forth until you no longer feel resistance.
    -and-
    Polishing first. I use SSR2 or SSR1, clay, then Pro Polish. It makes claying easier and the clay doesn`t get used up as fast. Clay is spendy and you`re going to polish anyways...
    Ask a question, be a fool for a minute. Don`t ask a question, be a fool forever.
    -Chinese Proverb

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    for the extra $$ i`d save polishing first, i`d rather save myself the 45-60 minutes of polishing first, and just clay off the bat.


    So is this service an add on? or is it common for a $150 detail?

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    Obsessive Compulsive Detailer Jngrbrdman's Avatar
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    Click here for my clay technique. Basically it is to go in the direction the wind goes over the car in straight lines. Light pressure and adequate lube. Its pretty easy and kind of like riding a bicylce. Once you learn.....
    ~ ~ www.OCDetails.com ~ ~
    Faster isn`t better. BETTER is better no matter how long it takes.

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    Goof Off Rocks! denverdetail's Avatar
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    After washing and before claying, I use Goof Off to remove tar, bugs, sap, etc... saves me alot of clay!

    I`m gonna be like BigRon and his NuFinish with my Goof Off.
    I`ve been busy but I`ll try to make some time.

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    should it be done in shade? on a cool surface?

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    Goof Off Rocks! denverdetail's Avatar
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    claying

    Originally posted by dtailthis2
    should it be done in shade? on a cool surface?
    Shouldn`t matter. You`l be more comfortable in the shade, I always think its easier to see in the sun.

    This can be used in the sun or shade. I love it!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    I`ve been busy but I`ll try to make some time.

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    Obsessive Compulsive Detailer Jngrbrdman's Avatar
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    Being in the sun or shade doesn`t really matter so much as doing it on a cool surface. That is how most products are suggested for use.
    ~ ~ www.OCDetails.com ~ ~
    Faster isn`t better. BETTER is better no matter how long it takes.

  11. #11
    Recovering Postaholic rhillstr's Avatar
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    If you are polishing anyways, why does it matter when you do it? How does it save time doing it after claying? Also why wash after claying? Again, if you`re doing a multiple step polish you just clay after first polish step then residue (there really shouldn`t be any if you clay correctly) is removed in the second polishing step. Folks, clay is meant to pick up imbedded contaminants, it is not a substitute for cleaning paint.
    Ask a question, be a fool for a minute. Don`t ask a question, be a fool forever.
    -Chinese Proverb

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    Recovering Postaholic rhillstr's Avatar
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    Oh and JBM, great avatar!
    Ask a question, be a fool for a minute. Don`t ask a question, be a fool forever.
    -Chinese Proverb

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    Originally posted by rhillstr

    Polishing first. I use SSR2 or SSR1, clay, then Pro Polish. It makes claying easier and the clay doesn`t get used up as fast. Clay is spendy and you`re going to polish anyways...
    I thought clay was supposed to be a first step if your going to clean the clearcoat/paint surface? By using the SSRs or Polish before claying your just moving the "embeded contaminants" around on the paint surface right *ACK!*???? Once you clay you have removed the majority of the embeded stuff and it wont be harmful on the surface....right?

    Also, I wash before and after claying. To remove the clay and lubricant residue. I agree that the clay *should* pickup most everything but what if it doesn`t?

    *EDIT* Jngrbrdman - nice writeup.

  14. #14
    Agent Phonar's Avatar
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    charge

    also in a $150 interior and exterior detail, do you guys include claying? or should that be an extra?
    When I detail a vehicle I dont charge extra for the clay process. That is if I`m doing a full detail or full ext. only detail. Now if you were gonna do a wash and wax you could consider claying the vehicle extra. In either case your doing the work and quoting the price so its basically up to you really.
    Good Luck

  15. #15
    Recovering Postaholic rhillstr's Avatar
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    Originally posted by optik
    I thought clay was supposed to be a first step if your going to clean the clearcoat/paint surface? By using the SSRs or Polish before claying your just moving the "embeded contaminants" around on the paint surface right *ACK!*???? Once you clay you have removed the majority of the embeded stuff and it wont be harmful on the surface....right?

    Also, I wash before and after claying. To remove the clay and lubricant residue. I agree that the clay *should* pickup most everything but what if it doesn`t?

    *EDIT* Jngrbrdman - nice writeup.
    Nope, by definition they are embedded and do not move around. If they did, then you wouldn`t need to clay you could just polish to remove them.
    Ask a question, be a fool for a minute. Don`t ask a question, be a fool forever.
    -Chinese Proverb

 

 
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