[J.J.]

I have a black Pathfinder in need of some paint care. I bought a Mothers clay bar, Meguiars polish and Meguiars wax. I washed the car this moring and it;s now sitting in my unheated and drafty garage. It's about 35 degrees outside and I'm worried it may be to cold to begin this project. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

JJ

 

[Radioaktiv]

i would think the clay wouldnt work as well in such frigid temps

id wait until its at least in the 60s at least

i know pretty much everything else that has to do with paint care is better to do at mild temps, but im no expert on the clay bar

 

[Blank]

the clay becomes less pliable and the lube dosent werk as well in the cold, but it can be done...

 

[wes]

Not to mention wax does not like being that cold! Also I would advise against the Mother's Clay Bar. It is among the worst I have used. I recommend the Clay Magic for when you do begin this project.

 

[Blank]

valuguard by automotive international...

 

[J.J.]

Ok, so I won't start this project for another month or so, but I have another question.

My truck is an 02'. I bought is used and I am going to assume it has never been hand waxed. The black paint is in pretty good shape although there is absolutely no beading at all when wet. My question is do you think the clay, polish and wax will be sufficient to bring out an extraoridinary shine in this situation or should I do something more for dramatic results.

 

[wes]

Ok, so I won't start this project for another month or so, but I have another question.

My truck is an 02'. I bought is used and I am going to assume it has never been hand waxed. The black paint is in pretty good shape although there is absolutely no beading at all when wet. My question is do you think the clay, polish and wax will be sufficient to bring out an extraoridinary shine in this situation or should I do something more for dramatic results.

Honestly I use clay magic and zymol one step on my car a couple times a year and it works great! Granted I will do a meguairs 3 step once a year to get a good base going...

 

[Zac]

Why does everyone jump to the bar? I have seen so many people jump to a clay bar where there was really no need for it.

 

[J.J.]

Why does everyone jump to the bar? I have seen so many people jump to a clay bar where there was really no need for it.

Well, because some of use are quite ingnorant as to when to use a clay bar. So far, the only indications for using a clay bar i have found are:
1. Rough paint
2. Dirty paint

My paint is not extremely rough, but I feel it is probably pretty dirty. Like I said , I am going to treat this vehicle as if it has never received any paint care at all. With that said, give me information w/o remarks such as the one above. What would you do with an 02' w/ pretty good paint? 3 steps Meguiars? If I don't need the clay bar , I will certainly get my $17 back!

JJ

 

[Zac]

Well, because some of use are quite ingnorant as to when to use a clay bar. So far, the only indications for using a clay bar i have found are:
1. Rough paint
2. Dirty paint

My paint is not extremely rough, but I feel it is probably pretty dirty. Like I said , I am going to treat this vehicle as if it has never received any paint care at all. With that said, give me information w/o remarks such as the one above. What would you do with an 02' w/ pretty good paint? 3 steps Meguiars? If I don't need the clay bar , I will certainly get my $17 back!

JJ

Meguiars Medallion. It is far superior to their 3 step. Buy a 30 dollar orbital buffer and you will look at the results and know it was money well spent. I use this on my car which is also an 02.

this
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/meg-m-9716.html
then this
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/meg-m-9816.html

I assure you the results are impressive as my car had mild oxidation on it prior to using this system.

If you do use a clay bar, use a very mild one. I am willing to bet you have no need for an aggressive one. And avoid Mothers...I have heard from some people that are clay bars are the same; many others have told me the Mothers is crap. I tend to avoid clay bars...they are a pita to use and other methods can bring better results. Considering that your main concern is dirt (could also be oxidation); I would reccomend the Medallion cleaner over a clay bar any day.

 

[Zac]

And quite frankly I asked the initial question because I do not understand why so many people constantly use it. If I offended you I apologize, but that was not my intention as I like to get an idea of why people do certain things in car care. Also, I could give you a more definative answer on how to make the car look newer than the day it rolled out of the factory if you could post a few pics of your paint.

 

[pete?]

im going to clay bar my paint...its a 99 and never anything but a wax job

i will be selling her soon and want it to look like a shining star (a shiny car get more $$$$ :thumbup: ) and then i will use the wax your telling us all to use nick :thumbup:

to bad i cant polish it oh well, ill do what i can with my orbital, can i use a mild polish with my orbital?

 

[J.J.]

Thanks NickZac! I will give the Meguiars products above a chance. I don't have an orbital buffer and I've heard it could be dangerous to use w/o experience. Any info. you could provide for this.

I appreciate the help so far! I'll return the clay tomorrow and look for the Medallion products

JJ

 

[pete?]

Thanks NickZac! I will give the Meguiars products above a chance. I don't have an orbital buffer and I've heard it could be dangerous to use w/o experience. Any info. you could provide for this.

I appreciate the help so far! I'll return the clay tomorrow and look for the Medallion products

JJ

a random orbital. :thumbup: it just vibrates around and spins at the same time, dosent do much more than your hand does.......just faster.

 

[Zac]

Thanks NickZac! I will give the Meguiars products above a chance. I don't have an orbital buffer and I've heard it could be dangerous to use w/o experience. Any info. you could provide for this.

I appreciate the help so far! I'll return the clay tomorrow and look for the Medallion products

JJ

Orbital buffers are safe for pros and beginners to use and are far more effective than hand. You can get a 30 dollar Ryobi orbital buffer from the Home Depot which does fine for occasional usage. Since they do not have a fixed backing plate and orbit instead of simply spinning, they are very difficult to damage paint with. Just work in the cleaner and wax with it with the first pad and polish is pretty with the polishing pad. IIRC the Ryobi comes with a cloth pad for working compounds in, and a wool like pad for polishing. I would suggest having 2 of each so you do not have to wash the pads mid way through.

Now, on the other hand a rotary buffer can destroy paint if one does not know what they are doing. Rotarys spin at high speeds and have a fixed backing plate. They are generally heavier, more expensive, and have higher ampage rating. Rotary buffers are much better for badly damaged clearcoat paints in need of serious compounding, paints on yachts which the name I cannot remember, isocyanide acrylic paints and other various uses. They are not needed for newer clearcoats unless they have serious paint problems. As long as you go orbital and avoid rotary, you are good to go.

As far as Medallion, I have never seen it in a retail store as it is considered a professional product.

 

[wes]

I'll take the pepsi challenge with the clay magic over ANY cleaner wax any day of th week. Honestly clay magic is EASY to use, I can do my whole car in les than an hour and it honestly is less work than using a multi-step process...

Clay Magic is VERY safe and user firendly I recommend if you have not used it to try it. I have thrown out the Megiuars clay bar and I drop kicked the Mothers clay bar before I tried Clay Magic...

 

[J.J.]

Ok guys, I took the Mothers clay, Meguiars polish and wax back to Auto Zone. I think my plan is to buy a orbital buffer and the Medallion Meguiars cleaner and wax. After feeling my paint, I don't think I need to clay, although I have noticed some swirl marks and a few places that need to be thoroughly buffed. Will the cleaner and wax take care of this?

If I clean then wax the paint and notice more defects or rough spots, I may try the clay magic. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for all the input,
JJ

 

[pete?]

I'll take the pepsi challenge with the clay magic over ANY cleaner wax any day of th week. Honestly clay magic is EASY to use, I can do my whole car in les than an hour and it honestly is less work than using a multi-step process...

Clay Magic is VERY safe and user firendly I recommend if you have not used it to try it. I have thrown out the Megiuars clay bar and I drop kicked the Mothers clay bar before I tried Clay Magic...

sounds like a plan wes! where again do they sell this? is this an in store product? or will i need to online order this sob?

Ok guys, I took the Mothers clay, Meguiars polish and wax back to Auto Zone. I think my plan is to buy a orbital buffer and the Medallion Meguiars cleaner and wax. After feeling my paint, I don't think I need to clay, although I have noticed some swirl marks and a few places that need to be thoroughly buffed. Will the cleaner and wax take care of this?

If I clean then wax the paint and notice more defects or rough spots, I may try the clay magic. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for all the input,
JJ

i belive the clay bar's accualy remove the wax.......so if you clay bar after you wax then you need to wax again, you just waisted time and money. i would just clay it first and start freash.

 

[wes]

Locally I get Clay Magic from auto-zone or pep boys...

 

[pete?]

Locally I get Clay Magic from auto-zone or pep boys...

out standing, i belive i may have seen that before :thumbup: thanks wes.