New to detailing and have a query about clay barring

[Brads67]

G'day

Anyhoo, have been deep cleaning the Volvo lately and have purchased a shed load of kit for detailing in prep for starting on my Z4.

The Volvo is in pretty good condition and I have completed the interior.
I'm waiting on a chance to start the paint proper and next wash will see me clay bar the body.

My question is, after barring it, if the paint is deemed good enough not to go at it with the machine, does it then need a re wash before waxing or is it dependant on what lube you use.

On that note, best Clay bar lube that doesn't seem to cost a bomb.
I intended to use a detergent mix as lube.

Cheers

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

A bit of warm soapy water is fine as a lube.
I use plumbers putty rather than clay bar though...it's about £3 for a big tub and seems to do a pretty similar job.

[Summit_Detailing]

You will inevitably introduce some clay marring to the paint, so I would recommend whizzing over with a machine to remove this before applying a wax.

Cheers,

Chris

[Brads67]

Had a further look today anyway.

Going by the surface it'll be getting the machine over it anyway. The shine is good but it could be better by a long way.

Detailing clay is simply china clay isn't it ?

[Demelitia]

Clay bars are just putty with a defined level of grit/abrasiveness to them.
Bilt hamber clay bars come in different strengths like lots of brands, but don’t need any lube other than water to use them. I’ve had good results from the ones I’ve bought and they’ve been good value.

You’ll probably find once you’ve clayed that the paint looks even worse; it being so clean tends to highlight defects and the clay pulls any wax/fillers that might be left behind masking stuff away.

[Brads67]

Cheers all.

I have a day this week set aside to try the bonnet on the Z4 which will be my first go with the Das 6. If I pass that test the Volvo will be next.

[348jeff]

Either after or before claying clean the car with iron-x (or similar usually stinky purple liquid) which dissolves metal contaminants). Even a well clayed car will show up a surprising amount of contaminants.

[Brads67]

Yeh I have the Megiuars Iron dissolving stuff to use.

[Belle427]

I would use the fallout remover first before letting the clay near it.

[Brads67]

ARGHHHHH

Trying to upload an image to show how much the fallout remover took off the Z4 but thumbsnap is wk.

[Sump]

Use a clay mitt next time. Much faster results. Trade and professionals don't like them as it removes how many hours they can charge,

[bunchofkeys]

Sump said:

Use a clay mitt next time. Much faster results. Trade and professionals don't like them as it removes how many hours they can charge,

Any recommendations on which clay mitt to purchase?

[Brads67]

Clay bar was fine and worked well.
I used copious sprayed water as a lube. Tried mild APC but the clay broke up.

[indigostr]

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/cla...

[Brads67]

As I said, clay bar was fine. Am halfway round the car with first pass of the machine and compound. So far so good. Still a few swirls but the car is silver so not sure how hard I want to go at it, especially as the arches will need a little paint later in the year.

Good practice for the Volvo though.