[Blu05Sti]

I have been debating whether to enter the world of showing my car as a hobby and I have decided that I am going to. Now, my car is pretty immaculate as is, an 05 with 3000 miles and fully garaged with the exception of about 3 weeks.

What I am looking for is any advice about how to obtain the best finish possible with regards to teh paint.

One thing that I believe would be a good idea is claying the entire exterior and then appliying multiple clearcoats right after.

I'd like to hear everone'sopinion on my proposed course of action.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

Jason

[psuLemon]

If your car has been garage, you probably dont want to clay bar it. Claying is like a pretty harsh polish. I would suggest, clean your car twice with meguiars gold shampoo (use two buckets, one for the clean warm water and one for rinse water). Then use a paint cleaner like Meguiars paint cleaner, followed by a light polish, then klasse sealant and then use a pure carbnuba wax like P21s. That should make your car sparkle.


And I would suggest owning an orbital buffer for the polishing step.

[DARKSTI]

Clay barring is not like a harsh polish, it is great to clay your paint. It just removes contaminates and helps with polishing after. Just be sure to use enough lube and you shouldn't even induce any swirls.

Unless you are re-painting, you don't apply clear coat. If you do, wet sand at least 2 times then spray the clear.

I would clay, then use a polish like Optimum Polish along with a Porter-Cable if the swirls are not that bad, if they are,use Optimum Hyper Compound. Then follow with either a light polish like Optimum again or use a glaze like Clearkote RMG or VM. Top with a wax like Pinnacle Souveran or Poorboys Natty's Blue.

You can get everything you need from http://autogeek.net

You may want to check out http://autopia.org, this is THE detailing site to go to.

Hope this helps

edit: Then maintain with good car soap and waffle-weave microfiber drying towel and a Pinnacle Crystal Myst to refresh the look

[LOUIE NJ]

I use a clay bar, but find when I wash it regularly I don't even need to do it. By regularly I mean thorough, once a week with Meguiars gold and a quick detailer, Followed by a monthly waxing with Zymoil. Just my routine...I'm sure there is a million others that work just as good.

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by DARKSTI

Clay barring is not like a harsh polish, it is great to clay your paint. It just removes contaminates and helps with polishing after. Just be sure to use enough lube and you shouldn't even induce any swirls.

Unless you are re-painting, you don't apply clear coat. If you do, wet sand at least 2 times then spray the clear.

I would clay, then use a polish like Optimum Polish along with a Porter-Cable if the swirls are not that bad, if they are,use Optimum Hyper Compound. Then follow with either a light polish like Optimum again or use a glaze like Clearkote RMG or VM. Top with a wax like Pinnacle Souveran or Poorboys Natty's Blue.

You can get everything you need from http://autogeek.net

You may want to check out http://autopia.org, this is THE detailing site to go to.

Hope this helps

edit: Then maintain with good car soap and waffle-weave microfiber drying towel and a Pinnacle Crystal Myst to refresh the look

+1, This guy is da man! ^^^^

If you'd like a great deal on claybar, soundomain is the place. They are selling the Meguiar's mild claybar for 13/jar, which is an awesome price.

Claying your car is easy if done right, and once you notice all the brown crap it takes off the paint, you'll get a big smile on your face. It makes the paint smooth like glass.

[DARKSTI]

Awwwww shucks....

Originally Posted by Peleg

+1, This guy is da man! ^^^^

[psuLemon]

Sorry, I mis-read some info. The claying isn't harsh, its made of fine polishes. Sorry for the mis information. I thought you weren't supposed to claybar new cars, but you can. So listen to Dark and Peleg, they are the more experienced guys.

[Blu05Sti]

Originally Posted by Peleg

Claying your car is easy if done right, and once you notice all the brown crap it takes off the paint, you'll get a big smile on your face. It makes the paint smooth like glass.

The carzy thing is my car has hardly even been outside and yet you can feel TONS of little bumps all over the paint from all the environmental crap that gets on there.

Claying sounds like the way to go but I wish someone could show me this process in person.

[docd187]

Originally Posted by Blu05Sti

The carzy thing is my car has hardly even been outside and yet you can feel TONS of little bumps all over the paint from all the environmental crap that gets on there.

Claying sounds like the way to go but I wish someone could show me this process in person.

The car doesn't ahve to sit outside to collect the crap. It collects dust, pollen, brake dust (from your own car and other's cars), acid rain, etc.

Make sure you use the clay properly or else you can really ruin the paint. Just get yourself some clay from a local parts store or online (I usually get either Meguiars or ClayMagic). Wash the car thoroughly with soap and water. After washing the car, leave it wet. I don't dry it even though you could if you wanted to. With the car still wet, generously spray some of the lubricant onto the paint. Take your clay bar and rub it gently back and forth over the area with the lubricant (no need to press hard). Once you finish one area, go on to the next following the same steps.

Some tips to help you out:
-leave the car wet
-work in the shade
-spray a good amount of lubricant on the area you're working on
-if you drop the clay bar on the ground, DO NOT USE IT ON YOUR PAINT AGAIN, you can use it on your windshield or rims.

[Peleg]

I plan on making a video on how to clay. Hopefully some of my friends will be able to "fit me into their busy schedules" so we can shoot, but seriously, it's not hard. I was scared of it in the beginning, but if you wash the car first and follow some simple steps using the right materials, you'll find out how easy it is to clay, plus you'll love the results.

Also, for those of you who don't drive the car everyday and keep it garaged, invest in a good car cover like the Evolution 4, I keep mine covered at all times. This cover is even machine washable.