Clay Bar - when do people not use it.
Discussion
I'm getting a rather pricey detail/paint correction to my black colored 993 Turbo and I was a bit surprised that not only are they not using a clay bar but the guy seems say he almost never uses a clay bar. So what he is doing is polishing down into the paint to take everything out. He is "relieving" all the scratches so to speak.
I also thought there were special chemicals (I've also seen clay bars used on windshields) used on windshields besides rainx but they are just washing the windshield and putting Rainx on as an additional option.
FWIW it's taking 2 days to get the car done.
I also thought there were special chemicals (I've also seen clay bars used on windshields) used on windshields besides rainx but they are just washing the windshield and putting Rainx on as an additional option.
FWIW it's taking 2 days to get the car done.
The general rule is.
Snowfoam or citrus prewash
2 bucket wash
Fallout removed for both iron & tar
Rinse
Clay
Rinse
Dry
Machine polish to remove small surface scratches, watermarks, swirls etc
Sealant or wax (Or whatever he's decided to use)
I'd never do a two day detail without claying after fallout has been removed. If there was any still present when you get to the polishing stage then it will only get into the surface of the pad and be spread over the paintwork.
As for the windscreen Gtechniq as well as many other manufactures make a "Nano" window sealant which lasts up to 30,000 miles. And would certainly be preferable to RainX
Snowfoam or citrus prewash
2 bucket wash
Fallout removed for both iron & tar
Rinse
Clay
Rinse
Dry
Machine polish to remove small surface scratches, watermarks, swirls etc
Sealant or wax (Or whatever he's decided to use)
I'd never do a two day detail without claying after fallout has been removed. If there was any still present when you get to the polishing stage then it will only get into the surface of the pad and be spread over the paintwork.
As for the windscreen Gtechniq as well as many other manufactures make a "Nano" window sealant which lasts up to 30,000 miles. And would certainly be preferable to RainX
I would clay a car before any paint correction detail as there is only so much chemical cleaners/decontaminators will achieve.
I also have an upgrade option for sealing the windscreen (all other glass gets sealed anyway) but it is using a nano product along the lines of aquapel, nanolex & g-techniq.
Rain-x is a reasonable product but durability isn't great in comparison to the aforementioned products. It's more suited to an enthusiast who would apply multiple layers every weekend.
I also have an upgrade option for sealing the windscreen (all other glass gets sealed anyway) but it is using a nano product along the lines of aquapel, nanolex & g-techniq.
Rain-x is a reasonable product but durability isn't great in comparison to the aforementioned products. It's more suited to an enthusiast who would apply multiple layers every weekend.
Well known yes. They do a lot of prep work for clients at Pebble Beach. I hope to do my own detailing from now on. I got the impression they cut corners on the types of products they use too. Micro fiber towels from Costco. But I only know of one other detailer that near me that spends 40+ hours on a car. They didn't know what a foam/snow wand was.
PiB said:
Well known yes. They do a lot of prep work for clients at Pebble Beach. I hope to do my own detailing from now on. I got the impression they cut corners on the types of products they use too. Micro fiber towels from Costco. But I only know of one other detailer that near me that spends 40+ hours on a car. They didn't know what a foam/snow wand was.
From what i hear and know , most detailers in the USA ONLY spend 1 day (which would be our high end valeting in the UK)on cleaning a car.2 days plus on a car is rare, i think the markets are different from UK to USA, of course i know of detailers that do spend 40+ hours and do it properly.
But define "properly" ?
I spoken to many detailers from around the world and the public In the USA in general only an "enhancement detail" which takes one day (so have to miss out some parts of the process which are not as influential to the final finish) so i guess the detailers/valeters work to the large masses market than the minority.
the towels are fine , if washed and tumbled dried before use then they are OK , we do have slightly better cloths for the final finishing , but only when its soft paint of dark colours.
kelly
Some detailers don't believe in it, it's just their thought on it.
I go by results ( lower oaf door, off an E60 thats been "cared for" by roadside car washes and about 90k on the clock just for e.g. )
Some people just say that if you need to do a swirl correction or wet sand then you're wasting time going over it claying it, when you've going to cut through any contaminants anyway.
I go by results ( lower oaf door, off an E60 thats been "cared for" by roadside car washes and about 90k on the clock just for e.g. )
Some people just say that if you need to do a swirl correction or wet sand then you're wasting time going over it claying it, when you've going to cut through any contaminants anyway.
UK Pro valeters have taken to clay in a big way, some of our American cousins still take the big bruiser approach.
In general most paint finishes are a bottom coat of colour with a clear top coat. It is the top coat you are cleaning and then polishing, this layer is as thin as the car producer can get away with, so it make sense not to remove by abrasion any of this coats already thin layer.
Clay is a very non aggressive but highly successful way to do this, buy some and try it .
Ps find another detailed if they embrace technology it's a good start.
Broncoupe
In general most paint finishes are a bottom coat of colour with a clear top coat. It is the top coat you are cleaning and then polishing, this layer is as thin as the car producer can get away with, so it make sense not to remove by abrasion any of this coats already thin layer.
Clay is a very non aggressive but highly successful way to do this, buy some and try it .
Ps find another detailed if they embrace technology it's a good start.
Broncoupe
UK Pro valeters have taken to clay in a big way, some of our American cousins still take the big bruiser approach.
In general most paint finishes are a bottom coat of colour with a clear top coat. It is the top coat you are cleaning and then polishing, this layer is as thin as the car producer can get away with, so it make sense not to remove by abrasion any of this coats already thin layer.
Clay is a very non aggressive but highly successful way to do this, buy some and try it .
Ps find another detailed if they embrace technology it's a good start.
Broncoupe
In general most paint finishes are a bottom coat of colour with a clear top coat. It is the top coat you are cleaning and then polishing, this layer is as thin as the car producer can get away with, so it make sense not to remove by abrasion any of this coats already thin layer.
Clay is a very non aggressive but highly successful way to do this, buy some and try it .
Ps find another detailed if they embrace technology it's a good start.
Broncoupe
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