Clay bar 'virgin' need some advice

[silverfoxcc]

Ok so the firms van is sorned for the winter, so i thought i might give it the claybar treatment.
The car has been autoglym'd twice a year for 'several' years,following a shampoo and whenever it goes out, gets a wash down with water only and leathered dry
where would i start?
do i need to 'strip' the existing skin off, and if so whats the best way.
Second what claybar kit would the populous on here recommend and best way to go about it, and finish off etc.
As the header says. i haven't a clue and therefore throw myself at your collective wisdom

[firemanSimon]

i used this a few months ago
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/meguiars/smooth...
It was my first time too.....lol
washed the car, sprayed lots of lube, oh er lol

[Otter Smacker]

firemanSimon said:

i used this a few months ago
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/meguiars/smooth...

Was going to suggest this^

This will help
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

[Dogwatch]

6 years old thread but I hope it's still helpful

clicky

[RedSpiseeBalls]

I would buy Bilt Hamber clay, best out there:
http://www.detailedclean.co.uk/detailing-clay/bilt...

And can be used with only water, no expensive QD!

Snow foam, decontaminate first before using the clay bar.

[tur8o]

i have used clay bars before and they are great. i recently used ironx for the first time tho and thoroughly recommend using this and some tar remover before the clay bar. the megs clay bar kit from halfords etc is a good place to start.

[jimmyboy85]

Thought I would bump this thread, rather than start another.

tur8o said:

the megs clay bar kit from halfords etc is a good place to start.

Bought one of these last week, was very sceptical about it all, but thought I would give it a go. A break in the rain yesterday gave me the chance to wash the car.

Washed, rinsed, dried, then started on the clay bar. I was really surprised at just how much crap these things can pull off the paint work. Especially around the sills and door bottoms. Very impressed with it. Followed it up with some quick wax and the car looks brilliant. The paint (Subaru rally blue) looks a lot lighter (I'd say a whole shade lighter!), more opaque and really catches the light now. Also, running my fingers across the panels they feel so smooth now.

I thought it was going to be a gimmick but was very impressed. It took a fair bit of elbow grease and probably wont be doing every week, but I'l def be using it again. Really impressed with the difference.

Such a shame I have to take the car out today as it's ping it down so the car wont stay clean long.

[Crafty_]

I've used sonus green before but last time I got hold of some autogylm stuff:


came with some spray stuff and a cloth if I remember correctly. It was very easy to use and didn't mar at all.

[Transmitter Man]

From a quid at a store near you.

Phil

TVR & De Tomaso come up fine.

[m8rky]

I dare say people will suggest their favourite brands and offer advice,all I can say is that it is the most satisfying car cleaning experience ever.
As an example when I did the bonnet of the Citroen C2 that was looking a bit worn I had recently waxed and polished it twice and yet the amount of crud the clay bar pulled out was unbelievable.