Do I have the right products yet? + wax advice
Discussion
I have been lurking around the detailing forums for a while but without posting - so here is my first post so please be gentle!
I have started to get more into my detailing and have recently purchased Dodo Lime Prime (which so far seems excellent), Megs clay kit + QD, Finish Kare 1000p Wax. Basically I have achieved some excellent results (in my eyes) with these products but I am wondering if I need to use a sealant for the upcoming winter road salting months. So am I missing a good sealant? Also my method so far is clay first, then LP and finally KP1000p - any other products that I am missing? (a good shampoo maybe?)Any advice for for my novice status would be a gratefully received!!
I have started to get more into my detailing and have recently purchased Dodo Lime Prime (which so far seems excellent), Megs clay kit + QD, Finish Kare 1000p Wax. Basically I have achieved some excellent results (in my eyes) with these products but I am wondering if I need to use a sealant for the upcoming winter road salting months. So am I missing a good sealant? Also my method so far is clay first, then LP and finally KP1000p - any other products that I am missing? (a good shampoo maybe?)Any advice for for my novice status would be a gratefully received!!
Martin_Bpool said:
...and you should only need to clay bar about once a year.
Any before and after pics?
Far too generalised, and one of the biggest myths in detailing, still.Any before and after pics?
A car's paint should be unaffected from claying (provided sufficient lube is used, and the bar kneaded/folded to expose a clean surface once or twice per panel), so there's no justification for leaving embedded contaminants in situ, just because of the date not being correct.
As always, feel your paintwork monthly after rinsing with a bit of clingfilm over your fingertips, and any areas where it's gritty (and therefore the washing hasn't removed) then take your clay bar to them.
Whilst not entirely agreed upon, reapply your wax/sealant on those areas just clayed.
Martin, you and Phil are both right...
It is true that for many people, claying a car once or twice a year will be sufficient, especially if the car is a garaged second/third car and not used everyday. That may apply to many on here and even on the CYC forums.
Phil is correct that when the right clays are used carefully they don't have to damage paint at all, so can be used as often as necessary. Their propensity to damage soft paint when too havey a grade puts many off regular use.
In a built up/industrial area with a car parked every day outside a station or factory, then parked on a main road at night, there is a need to clay more regularly. A Lambo in a garage at a country location, used sparingly, and only ever taken to the country club, will need claying far less often.
As ever, it is knowing what the products do and the purpose of the process, and then applying it to an individual situation (ie you, your car and how you use it). Detailing often confuses people so much they want very simple, yet definitive, answers. So I agree with both your one year statement for general use, and with Phil's more detailed response. One is a good rule of thumb and the other is the detailed theory/practice behind it
It is true that for many people, claying a car once or twice a year will be sufficient, especially if the car is a garaged second/third car and not used everyday. That may apply to many on here and even on the CYC forums.
Phil is correct that when the right clays are used carefully they don't have to damage paint at all, so can be used as often as necessary. Their propensity to damage soft paint when too havey a grade puts many off regular use.
In a built up/industrial area with a car parked every day outside a station or factory, then parked on a main road at night, there is a need to clay more regularly. A Lambo in a garage at a country location, used sparingly, and only ever taken to the country club, will need claying far less often.
As ever, it is knowing what the products do and the purpose of the process, and then applying it to an individual situation (ie you, your car and how you use it). Detailing often confuses people so much they want very simple, yet definitive, answers. So I agree with both your one year statement for general use, and with Phil's more detailed response. One is a good rule of thumb and the other is the detailed theory/practice behind it
Martin_Bpool said:
^^^ sorry, I was just going off what I read when first getting into detailing- (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/generalImg/guide.gif) and I was only suggesting it probably shouldn't need doing everycar wash as in the OP's routine above.
No worries, and I'm equally sorry if I sounded a bit off-handish - didn't mean for it to be taken that way, and I sometimes forget not everyone is like myself, where the car is outside 24/7, 365.Some people have a more than the daily driver, and a garage to keep it/them in, so consequently your 12 monthly claying recommendation is appropriate in certain circumstances.
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff