Clay Bar Question

[Boyd]

Hi ya'll. I just joined the forum last week. My names Boyd from Phoenix, AZ. I've been doing a lot of reading on here the past week this looks like a heck of a great forum and I'm glad I found you.

My question, has anyone used a fast approach at doing this? I just bought a "new to me" 2012 Denali with 38k on the clock and I love it. Looks awesome but one touch to a body panel and I know it has probably never seen a clay bar or a buffer.

Rather than the old "do one spot, wipe it off, buff move on. Has anyone done it with a water hose for clay lubrication? This thing is huge!! A spot at a time is going to take forever.

I'm thinking why not just go at it? A big bucket with car wash soap and water, do nice big areas, like the hood for example, then rinse it off good and keep moving.

You thoughts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[adventurenali92]

As a professional auto detailer, using soap or water as clay lube is not good for your paint. I’ve seen the aftermath of that and let’s just say it’s not pretty.... or an easy problem to fix. Slow and steady is what will get the finish you’re looking for to prep for wax or sealant.

 

[Fosscore]

^^This. Go slow, take your time, use lubricant and the outcome of doing the steps will be worth the reward at the end when you see that paint shining. Low miles, so that paint should pop when you are finished.

Check out the detailing section or head over to the AutoGeek site for lots of good tips. Questions like this one here will get you lots of good advice. Good luck and post up some before and after pics.

 

[Boyd]

Thank you very much for your help. It seemed like a good solution to me but I will take your advise and do it right. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Shouldn't take more than a year or so.

 

[PG01]

Thank you very much for your help. It seemed like a good solution to me but I will take your advise and do it right. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Shouldn't take more than a year or so.

Like me......just do 1 side though..

 

[chicagofan00]

As others have said, slow and steady will win the race. Never want to rush any part of detailing.

 

[Boyd]

Thanks Adam. I appreciate the advise. I'm old enough to know there are no short cuts to anything. Just thought there might be a better way. Now I know and I'm happy I asked you fine folks. Happy New Year!

 

[JTRATX]

I just got done doing my Denali a week or so ago. Did the clay bar one day and the waxing the next day. It does take a lot of hours, but it's worth it, paint is so smooth now, and my Denali was new!
You must use proper lubricant for the clay bar, no water from a hose, don't be cheap, do it right!

 

[Tahoe14]

Check advance auto parts or auto zone on line for the quick detailer lubricant as usually a coupon will pop up. You can also check pricing at Wally World which is usually the cheapest. I do one section at a time and then use polish followed by wax. Take your time.

 

[Boyd]

Thanks guy's but, I might have explained it wrong. I don't care how much lube it takes, I have tons of that.

I was just curious if anyone had used the hose to remove the clay residue by rinsing really well as you go versus the redundant dry, wipe, polish repeat with the micro fiber towels. I figure it would allow me to clay bar, (with lube) and do larger areas as I go. I planned to take it right to the car wash after.