Claying a Lotus Elise

Author
Discussion

nick_j007

Original Poster:

1,598 posts

217 months

Sunday 21st June 2009
quotequote all
Hi all,

Would like to clay my Elise this Summer. Would you recommend any particualr make, and where to buy from pls.

Thank you.

PJ S

10,842 posts

242 months

Sunday 21st June 2009
quotequote all
For me, it's Bilt Hamber Auto-clay - direct from www.bilthamber.com or if interested in other brands of products for the car, then www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk

spenny_b

1,071 posts

258 months

Sunday 21st June 2009
quotequote all
Just been outside this afternoon claying the GT3 with Meguires (sp?)...Halfords kit with the clay bar, detailing lube (smells nice) towel and small bottle of wax for about £23....did the Westfield a few months ago as well, superb results, very pleased.

Havent used their wax, I use DoDo Juice from PH'er Domster.

No idea how Meguires compares to other clay's, its the only one I've used, but readily available from Halfords, so v handy.

HTH,
S_b

Edited by spenny_b on Monday 22 June 00:09

Nightmare

5,272 posts

299 months

Sunday 21st June 2009
quotequote all
i have an elise and the Dodo Supernatural detailing clay is absolutely brilliant. and you get 3 bars in a cool plastic case.

I got some meguiars as well and find it very hard in the hand by comparison and significantly less effective at removing stuff and less willing to flex into small gaps......

spenny_b

1,071 posts

258 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
quotequote all
Nightmare said:
I got some meguiars as well and find it very hard in the hand by comparison and significantly less effective at removing stuff and less willing to flex into small gaps......
Hmmm, interesting....I've just spent the last hour reading up on various Dodo products on their site, think I may be spending a (small) fortune very soon!

nick_j007

Original Poster:

1,598 posts

217 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
quotequote all
Thanks guys really useful.

Presumably, if the clay bar picks up all these nasties as it goes, does it not become 'full' and then need throwing away eventually?

nick_j007

Original Poster:

1,598 posts

217 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
quotequote all
In answer to my own question:

"What you will see coming off of the car and depositing itself on the clay bar is a reddish brownish residue, this is what you want to see. As the clay bar becomes soiled, simply fold it over squash it out and keep going. Under no circumstances should the clay bar be used if dropped on the ground, inside or out! The clay bar is good for about 4 or 5 cleans on the average sized car. Once the paint is clean, wax your car immediately."

Nightmare

5,272 posts

299 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
quotequote all
spenny_b said:
Nightmare said:
I got some meguiars as well and find it very hard in the hand by comparison and significantly less effective at removing stuff and less willing to flex into small gaps......
Hmmm, interesting....I've just spent the last hour reading up on various Dodo products on their site, think I may be spending a (small) fortune very soon!
i know..its a bugger isn't it?! luckily one of my companies has the perfect excuse for ordering car detailing kit!
if i had started with Megs clay i think id have given up - really don't find it a nice thing to use....whereas the dodo clay is very tactile and nice! works okay with just water as lube but far far better with some born slippy.....

oh, and i reckon that all these manufacturers would recommend replacing stuff much more than really needed. as long as you don't accidentally get grit into it I reckon it'll last a good while even when it's got progressively greyer!

spenny_b

1,071 posts

258 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Nightmare said:
....whereas the dodo clay is very tactile and nice! works okay with just water as lube but far far better with some born slippy.....
Nightmare, which Dodo clay do you recommend?...the Dodo Grey, Dodo Purple or Supernatural?

Cheers
S

nick_j007

Original Poster:

1,598 posts

217 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Based on the reviews I have ordered from here the 200g and 200g deal:

http://www.bilthamber.com/autoclaybuy.php

Seems like a good buy smile

Thanks for all your help guys!

Pic. from a run last night...



hugodc

65 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Nightmare said:
spenny_b said:
Nightmare said:
I got some meguiars as well and find it very hard in the hand by comparison and significantly less effective at removing stuff and less willing to flex into small gaps......
Hmmm, interesting....I've just spent the last hour reading up on various Dodo products on their site, think I may be spending a (small) fortune very soon!
i know..its a bugger isn't it?! luckily one of my companies has the perfect excuse for ordering car detailing kit!
if i had started with Megs clay i think id have given up - really don't find it a nice thing to use....whereas the dodo clay is very tactile and nice! works okay with just water as lube but far far better with some born slippy.....

oh, and i reckon that all these manufacturers would recommend replacing stuff much more than really needed. as long as you don't accidentally get grit into it I reckon it'll last a good while even when it's got progressively greyer!
did you warm the clay before use, leving it in warm water for 5mins before use is often recomended, ive heard good things about meguires

Nightmare

5,272 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
yeah - did follow the instructions but just thought the dodo supernatural was far superior. prob down to personal choice to some extent.

Spenny - its def the supernatural id recommend cos totally safe for elise paint (mine is one of the softer ones i believe)

spenny_b

1,071 posts

258 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
quotequote all
Excellent, cheers Nightmare....compiling shopping list as we speak [gulp]

Have just been outside using-up some of the Megs clay on my wheels (!) before applying some freebie Turtle Wax "Wheel Wax" that I got on the Halfords 3-for-2 offer. Worth a go for free, I guess....2.5hrs to do one wheel (and brake caliper) - thank goodness SWMBO is away on a short holiday at the moment! biggrin