Car need to be clayed but afraid :-(

[rori zahr]

was giving my car a couple of ZAINO passes and I noticed that paint is so contaminated by tiny dots some white some black...
they would not come off with regular wash nor after polish "Z-2"
however, they would detach easily with a light push of a fingernail so I'm afraid that the claying moment has come and to say the truth I'm a bit afraid I can damage the paint claying the car myself.
I'm aware that beside the clay bar which I think it's gonna be from ZAINO there's a solvent I should use right? where can I get it from? don't see it at ZAINO store not anywhere else!
what's the best and safest way to clay my car myself?
thanks in advance for your tips

[raisemyrent]

yo, just make sure it's clean and clay it with a spray bottle with clean water. do one pass, then rework the clay to hide the grit within, then keep going as necessary and you should be fine. remember, we only delay and minimize scratches and swirls, we can't avoid them altogether.

[AntonV]

I used to be terrified of claying the car. As long as your car is clean, go to town with clay and the proper lube. It will make a huge difference. If You're already doing zaino polish steps, you should really research in the detailing forum on the proper process. Sounds like you bought the horse before you built the stable. Also, check out autopia.org.

[Dackelone]

Just use a good quality clay and some detail spray as a lube for the clay. I would use clay from a good source like some of the sponsors of this site or from Zanio.

[ZIPNBYE]

Meguiar's Final Inspection is good...clean, slippery, and when done claying, doesn't leave a film when wiped off with a damp micro-fibre cloth.

[rori zahr]

Thanks guys for the input, I don't have the clay yet so I'm open to buy any brand as long as it's a good one.
What about the lube? Do you mean just water or is there something else?

[Brandon26pdx]

meguiars makes a claying kit that is usually available off the shelf at any decent auto parts store. The car needs to be absolutely clean before you start but other than that theres nothing to it. You'll love the velvety smooth feel of the paint after you run the clay over it. Most of the crud sits on the horizontal sufaces (hood, roof, trunk).

[bozola]

I like Griot's Clay and Speed Shine. A winning combo..

[Mindgame]

Glad to hear you're scared to clay the car, but not pick spots with your fingernail.

[IDBMW]

Originally Posted by rori zahr

Thanks guys for the input, I don't have the clay yet so I'm open to buy any brand as long as it's a good one.
What about the lube? Do you mean just water or is there something else?

I use a water and car wash soap mix. That is what the instructions that come with the Zanio clay says.

I have done 4 different cars with clay and some of the cars more than once but never had any scratches from the claying. Just make sure you car is very clean and check the clay for particles often.

[rori zahr]

your input is so encouraging, I'll do that as soon as I get the clay bars and will let you know how... thanks a lot

[Detailers Domain]

take a look at this clay bar video, its easy you really can't mess it up. if you do there are fixes.

Adam's Clay Bar and Detail Spray Kit

[randomquickness]

I've clayed several cars recently with "Luber" and the different clays from Chemical Guys and love it. Chemical Guys has a nice kit on their site:

www.chemicalguys.com

[Greg@DetailedImage]

Using a clay bar can seem different and possibly dangerous, however with a little of bit of knowledge and some good products you'll be fine. We have step by step instructions for the clay bar in our detailing guide and you can always ask us any questions. I'd highly recommend the DI Packages DI Gentle Fine Grade Clay Bar 100g & Clay Lubewhich is an amazing value with top quality products. Let me know if I can help you any further!

Greg @ DI

[rori zahr]

guys you are the best.
This site? BEST OF THE BEST

[escobar929]

i use the zaino clay bar and use a spray bottle w/ water and z7 mixed together. Make sure the mixture is really soapy for max lube, just follow the instructions from zaino, they tell you the proper ratio

[mephiska]

I did my first clay with the Meguiar's kit. Came with 2 clay bars, detail spray and a microfiber cloth. Worked wonders on my old never clay'd WRX.

I ran out of the detail spray from the kit and tried just plain water, it didn't work as well, too "sticky" with the clay. I picked up some other detail touch up spray and use that now, works great.

I think in a pinch you can use plain water but some kind of detailing spray provides an added level of lubrication that helps the clay do its job better.

[Envious Eric]

you can use water and a drop or two of dawn or any soap for clay lube, your car wash shampoo, or a QD. Obviously the slicker the better. Dawn WILL dry out your clay bar much faster though as its a degreaser by makeup.

[derekL]

i use meguiar's kit as well. Just finished clay barring my entire car... SOO tired

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by derekL

i use meguiar's kit as well. Just finished clay barring my entire car... SOO tired

I tried using Meguiar's clay kit many years ago on a green metalic BMW I owned. That darn Meguiar's kit made a mess out of my paint. Took me hours and hours to "fix" the marks that Meguiars clay bar left.

I will always buy a "premium clay kit" than use the "off the shelf/rack" ones like Meguiars. A few months ago I bought Detailer's Domain's uber clay bar and was very happy with the results!


Btw... the best way to "lube" your clay bar is to use a detailer spray. You never want to use just water.


Dackel