Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: The Elite on 10 February 2008, 16:53:07
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Started clean the beast at 10 this morning and have just finished and I haven't even touched the inside! It all started with a wash yesterday that still left me with dull, flat paint (can see it now the suns out). Came out this morning and dressed the tires and back to blacked the plastic (top tip: dress plastics BEFORE you wax, this way any wax that finds its way onto them just wipes off), next up came the T-cut. After polishing it was clear that T-cut just wasn't going to cut it (pun intended! ;) ), so out came the clay bar. Don't think this car has ever been waxed as the layer of traffic film was thicker than the paint! 2 hours later I was ready to wax, after that a blow over with quick detailer has left her with a mirror shine. Now I'm gonna sit down, think I've earned it!!!!
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Satisfing sometimes isn't it?? ;)
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Satisfing sometimes isn't it?? ;)
It sure is, bloody back breaking though!
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wanna come wax my car for me plz...........
keep going to do it but ether the sun is shinin on the car or hubby tells me it will take ages and it will be dark in 3 hrs.
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This time of year you need to clay bar it first or you just wax the dirt in...
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This time of year you need to clay bar it first or you just wax the dirt in...
whose brand do you use
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Yeah always satisfying, but does take ages especially if you start doing all the other bits, engine an all that :y
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Clay bar????? meaning you do what......see if you come do it for me you can show me at the same time
;D ;D ;D
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whose brand do you use
I use meguires as I find it less sticky than some of the others and it doesn't leave trace marks...
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Clay bar????? meaning you do what......see if you come do it for me you can show me at the same time
;D ;D ;D
Well if your ever down this way gimme a shout... :y
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whose brand do you use
I use meguires as I find it less sticky than some of the others and it doesn't leave trace marks...
cheers ill go and have a mooch :y
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Yeah always satisfying, but does take ages especially if you start doing all the other bits, engine an all that :y
Use autoglym tire shine on all the rubber hoses and plastics in the engine bay, gives the a deep gloss shine and next time they just wipe clean with a dry cloth, mega time saver! :y
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whose brand do you use
I use meguires as I find it less sticky than some of the others and it doesn't leave trace marks...
cheers ill go and have a mooch :y
If you buy the kit they do you get a little case to keep it in that stops it drying up, quick detailer spray (for lube), microfibre cloth and a little bottle of wax, mine was about £22, bargain if you ask me!
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whose brand do you use
I use meguires as I find it less sticky than some of the others and it doesn't leave trace marks...
cheers ill go and have a mooch :y
If you buy the kit they do you get a little case to keep it in that stops it drying up, quick detailer spray (for lube), microfibre cloth and a little bottle of wax, mine was about £22, bargain if you ask me!
is that a meguires kit, where from please
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Yep, got it from halfrauds of all places...
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Need to get to a meet where someone can teach me what this "claying" is all about.... :(
Shame I can't make Telford, any one who understands it going to Cornwall ?? :)
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Basically clay bar is what it says, a bar of clay that you rub (after lubing the panel with quick detailer) over the paint, it removes all the traffic film and crap stuck to it to leave a glass like finish. Next time you wash your car run the back of your fingers over the paint then the glass, if the paint feels rougher than the glass then you need to clay it.
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Basically clay bar is what it says, a bar of clay that you rub (after lubing the panel with quick detailer) over the paint, it removes all the traffic film and crap stuck to it to leave a glass like finish. Next time you wash your car run the back of your fingers over the paint then the glass, if the paint feels rougher than the glass then you need to clay it.
Where can you get this 'clay' bar?
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I think he said you can pick them up at halfords.
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never seen the Clay bars in hellfrauds :-/
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I think he said you can pick them up at halfords.[/quote]
just checked £22.99 as the man said :y :y
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Need to get to a meet where someone can teach me what this "claying" is all about.... :(
Shame I can't make Telford, any one who understands it going to Cornwall ?? :)
Yep. :y
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Need to get to a meet where someone can teach me what this "claying" is all about.... :(
Shame I can't make Telford, any one who understands it going to Cornwall ?? :)
Yep. :y
Right I'll book you for a lesson !! (if my provisional booking ends up confirmed !) - nearer the date I'll ask you to give me a list of what I need ... if thats OK ?? :)
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Started clean the beast at 10 this morning and have just finished and I haven't even touched the inside! It all started with a wash yesterday that still left me with dull, flat paint (can see it now the suns out). Came out this morning and dressed the tires and back to blacked the plastic (top tip: dress plastics BEFORE you wax, this way any wax that finds its way onto them just wipes off), next up came the T-cut. After polishing it was clear that T-cut just wasn't going to cut it (pun intended! ;) ), so out came the clay bar. Don't think this car has ever been waxed as the layer of traffic film was thicker than the paint! 2 hours later I was ready to wax, after that a blow over with quick detailer has left her with a mirror shine. Now I'm gonna sit down, think I've earned it!!!!
:y :y
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Have a look at this, it explains clay barring pretty well and has pictures too, note the crap on the clay, this is whats left on your 'clean' car after you've washed it...
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html
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Hi all, I've no idea what claying is can someone explain? :-?
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Follow the link on the post above, should give you a basic understanding of the art of the clay bar! :y
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Hi, just read the info on the Clay product. Might need to get me some of that. Work mates take the micky because I like a clean car.
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Nothing wrong with cleaning your car! Its just as important as all the other maintenance.
Avoid using those yellow sponges, they are 1 of the main causes of swirl marks, use a lambs wool mitt for everything above the the door mouldings anda microfibre mitt for everything bellow. Have 1 bucket of soapy water and 1 of just water, dip the mitt in the soapy water and wipe over the paint, then rinse it it the bucket of just water. This serves 2 purposes:
1. It stops you putting dirt back on the car
2. It removes particles of grit from the mitt that could scratch the paint and cause swirl marks.
Don't use a leather to dry it, they're hard work and if any grit that is still on the paint has nowhere to go as they are quite hard. Use a waffle weave towel (also known as a water magnet™).
Don't use cheap products as a lot of them remove wax from the paint leaving it unprotected.
Paintbrushes are great for applying dressing to plastics/tyres, but let it dry naturaly on plastics then gently wipe over it with a soft LINT FREE cloth for a perfect finish.
When cleaning windows go up and down 1 side then side to side on the other, this way you will know which side smears are if there are any.
Invest in plenty of microfibre cloths (also known as terry towels, don't ask me why), they are a godsend. Always put them in the washing machine after use.
Lesson over for now, lol!!! ;D :y :-X
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I didn't like to ask, though I was bound to be the only one who did not know, never heard of claying and I've been around a bit. Must be worth looking into, thanks folks. ;D ;D ;D
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Mate this will save you soooo much time. To remove contaminants from paint with t-cut and the likes of takes 10 times the amount of time and effort. Use it right and you will be amazed with the result. And no, before anyone asks I don't have shares in any company that produces them! ;D
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If you wash any car once or twice a week & polish at least fortnightly, there's no need for any other treatment. I agree leathering off is a pain but if you leave the car wet the water will "blotch" the paint over a year or two. I also agree with doing the tyres & blacks (door mouldings, bumpers etc) with a brush but i do it after polishing, no reason, just do. Agree again Micro fibre cloths are good for doing the glass & better after a couple of washes. I appreciate not everyone has the time to pamper thier Mig as they might like too, i've been a family man in the past so i understand the demands on your time but every car i've ever had has been clean. Stay on top of it.
Little & often is best. :y
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If you wash any car once or twice a week & polish at least fortnightly, there's no need for any other treatment. I agree leathering off is a pain but if you leave the car wet the water will "blotch" the paint over a year or two. I also agree with doing the tyres & blacks (door mouldings, bumpers etc) with a brush but i do it after polishing, no reason, just do. Agree again Micro fibre cloths are good for doing the glass & better after a couple of washes. I appreciate not everyone has the time to pamper thier Mig as they might like too, i've been a family man in the past so i understand the demands on your time but every car i've ever had has been clean. Stay on top of it.
Little & often is best. :y
For the love of god don't leave it wet ! As I said, use a waffle weave towel, much faster than leathers and what pro valeters use. Trust me, clay it and you will realise that even if you washed your car everyday you won't remove the build up of traffic film, shampoos just don't have the cleaning power and if they do then they aren't doing your paint any favours! Also if you have a water softener make sure you fill your buckets from the drinking water tap, otherwise you are using corrosive salt water, not good...
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Never tried claying. Asked around before with mates in the valeting trade & got mixed responses. The paint on my Mig is'nt that special up close so i might give it a go. It gets the odd machine polish at home anyway although i still like to hand buff it afterwards, & no i NEVER leave it wet....ever which is why i get rainwater running off the roof onto my right knee first thing in the morning!!!!
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Give it a go, my paints trashed but if you get in the habit it's no longer a chore. Even crap paint looks better clean! :y
p.s. follow the link on previous page and have a look at the pics...
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Another top tip. Meguiars recommend buffing off polish and wax with a pure terry cotton towel. They sell one, funnily enough, for about £3.50.
If you go to Mothercare, you can get 6 pure terry cotton towels for £10. They're called nappies and they are bigger than the Meguiars ones. :y
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Another top tip. Meguiars recommend buffing off polish and wax with a pure terry cotton towel. They sell one, funnily enough, for about £3.50.
If you go to Mothercare, you can get 6 pure terry cotton towels for £10. They're called nappies and they are bigger than the Meguiars ones. :y
Good call! May have to check that out, hate paying full price for anything!... :y