Paint Maintenance
#28
#29
Re: Paint Maintenance
Okay, been I've slacking...
Clay baring. ( do this after you wash/dry, or during the process. Wash, clay, dry.)
Clay baring is where you take clay, and a clay lubricant and rub it on the paint surface. This will remove surface contaminants that make the paint feel rough to the touch.
This step can remove road tar, paint overspray and other contaminates.
something to note is clay baring won't always remove everything, there are times where you may need a more aggressive step. (we'll get into this later)
Paint that has been clayed will be smooth to the touch... Example: Smooth as a babies ***.
How to clay?
Step 1: obtain your clay. There are tons of different types of clay, they are basicly all the same. Get whatever is the best deal.
2: Lubricant. This is very important. You need this to properly clay the car.
3: Prep the car.
4: Unwrap the clay and tear a small piece off. You don't need to the hole brick of clay, just a small section. spray some lube on the paint, and the clay.
5: Place the clay on the car and rub back and forth with medium pressure. Start with approximately a 2x2 section. If you feel the clay sticking, spray more lube on it. There is no such thing as too much lube!
6: As soon as you the paint feels smooth to the touch, dry the car off and move to another section.
7: KNEAD THE CLAY. Kneading the clay will get you clean clay for the next section.
8: Repeat steps 5 threw 8 until you have completed the car.
If you've never seen clay before, here's an example. No it's not your kids play doh, leave that in the toy chest. (This is Griots Garage clay)
Here's an example what you could possibly see on the clay:
you don't want that!!
Tips: if you drop it, throw it away.
-constantly knead the clay to keep it clean, if it becomes too soiled throw it away and a new piece.
- if you see anything stuck in the clay stop. You don't want to cause damage to the car by dragging crap against the paint.
- Keep it lubed, you NEED lubricant to do this correctly!
When does the car need to be clayed? There is so much discussion on this, and there really is no wrong answer. Some say every time you wax, some every other. Personally I clay my car after winter, and again as needed.
I will be adding pictures of how to clay bar, and any other informations that needs to be added. If you feel I missed something, or need to explain something better let me know!
Clay baring. ( do this after you wash/dry, or during the process. Wash, clay, dry.)
Clay baring is where you take clay, and a clay lubricant and rub it on the paint surface. This will remove surface contaminants that make the paint feel rough to the touch.
This step can remove road tar, paint overspray and other contaminates.
something to note is clay baring won't always remove everything, there are times where you may need a more aggressive step. (we'll get into this later)
Paint that has been clayed will be smooth to the touch... Example: Smooth as a babies ***.
How to clay?
Step 1: obtain your clay. There are tons of different types of clay, they are basicly all the same. Get whatever is the best deal.
2: Lubricant. This is very important. You need this to properly clay the car.
3: Prep the car.
4: Unwrap the clay and tear a small piece off. You don't need to the hole brick of clay, just a small section. spray some lube on the paint, and the clay.
5: Place the clay on the car and rub back and forth with medium pressure. Start with approximately a 2x2 section. If you feel the clay sticking, spray more lube on it. There is no such thing as too much lube!
6: As soon as you the paint feels smooth to the touch, dry the car off and move to another section.
7: KNEAD THE CLAY. Kneading the clay will get you clean clay for the next section.
8: Repeat steps 5 threw 8 until you have completed the car.
If you've never seen clay before, here's an example. No it's not your kids play doh, leave that in the toy chest. (This is Griots Garage clay)
Here's an example what you could possibly see on the clay:
you don't want that!!
Tips: if you drop it, throw it away.
-constantly knead the clay to keep it clean, if it becomes too soiled throw it away and a new piece.
- if you see anything stuck in the clay stop. You don't want to cause damage to the car by dragging crap against the paint.
- Keep it lubed, you NEED lubricant to do this correctly!
When does the car need to be clayed? There is so much discussion on this, and there really is no wrong answer. Some say every time you wax, some every other. Personally I clay my car after winter, and again as needed.
I will be adding pictures of how to clay bar, and any other informations that needs to be added. If you feel I missed something, or need to explain something better let me know!
#31
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Paint Maintenance
Whites hard to take pictures of aswell but Ill see if I can get some shots....
#33
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Paint Maintenance
I'm going to finally suck it up and get a buffer like that porter, rather then trying to do it by hand. It takes so long, I am always disappointed with the results.
The part I feel I am the worst at, and most confused by, is applying a wax. I always leave swirl marks behind, and I feel like I'm just totally doing it wrong.
Soooo.... Once your car is washed, flayed, unswirled, and polished, anyone care to give their input on the dos and don'ts of waxing?
The part I feel I am the worst at, and most confused by, is applying a wax. I always leave swirl marks behind, and I feel like I'm just totally doing it wrong.
Soooo.... Once your car is washed, flayed, unswirled, and polished, anyone care to give their input on the dos and don'ts of waxing?
#34
Re: Paint Maintenance
depending on what the car's pupose is, i may/may not put a sealant on first, then some carnuba wax. also some waxes/sealants allow you to apply to the whole car, then wipe off; some you will have better results applying to each panel and wiping off at one time. you dont need to press firmly or go in a circular motion when applying wax, you are basically just rubbing it ON, not IN.
#35
Re: Paint Maintenance
I'm going to finally suck it up and get a buffer like that porter, rather then trying to do it by hand. It takes so long, I am always disappointed with the results.
The part I feel I am the worst at, and most confused by, is applying a wax. I always leave swirl marks behind, and I feel like I'm just totally doing it wrong.
Soooo.... Once your car is washed, flayed, unswirled, and polished, anyone care to give their input on the dos and don'ts of waxing?
The part I feel I am the worst at, and most confused by, is applying a wax. I always leave swirl marks behind, and I feel like I'm just totally doing it wrong.
Soooo.... Once your car is washed, flayed, unswirled, and polished, anyone care to give their input on the dos and don'ts of waxing?
depending on what the car's pupose is, i may/may not put a sealant on first, then some carnuba wax. also some waxes/sealants allow you to apply to the whole car, then wipe off; some you will have better results applying to each panel and wiping off at one time. you dont need to press firmly or go in a circular motion when applying wax, you are basically just rubbing it ON, not IN.
#37
Re: Paint Maintenance
I like duragloss car wash soap. It's cheap and literally takes a cap full for one whole bucket. I think it's the #405???
As for waxes I'm a big fan of poor boys world natty's paste carnauba wax. I wipe it on the whole car then go back and wipe it off.
As for waxes I'm a big fan of poor boys world natty's paste carnauba wax. I wipe it on the whole car then go back and wipe it off.
#42
Re: Paint Maintenance
I've been using Griots garage soap for a while and I like it.
As for wax I've been using Griots premium. It's good **** if you ask me. Good price at $50 for 14oz, and it lasts a long time.
I'm excited for the Dodo juice wax I just ordered to come in.
As for wax I've been using Griots premium. It's good **** if you ask me. Good price at $50 for 14oz, and it lasts a long time.
I'm excited for the Dodo juice wax I just ordered to come in.
#43
#44
MiG-21 superfan
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Re: Paint Maintenance
more people need to look into Opti-Coat, imo. the ultimate in permanent protection. easier to clean, less susceptible to damage, never have to wax again, etc.
also, Opti-Clean. 95% of my arsenal is OPT stuff. it is all so amazing. makes life so much easier!
his MF pads, hyper spray polish and compound, non-clay clay bars, all the coatings like Opti-Glass..No Rinse, Opti-Clean...everything. it's brilliant.
also, Opti-Clean. 95% of my arsenal is OPT stuff. it is all so amazing. makes life so much easier!
his MF pads, hyper spray polish and compound, non-clay clay bars, all the coatings like Opti-Glass..No Rinse, Opti-Clean...everything. it's brilliant.
#46
Re: Paint Maintenance
more people need to look into Opti-Coat, imo. the ultimate in permanent protection. easier to clean, less susceptible to damage, never have to wax again, etc.
also, Opti-Clean. 95% of my arsenal is OPT stuff. it is all so amazing. makes life so much easier!
his MF pads, hyper spray polish and compound, non-clay clay bars, all the coatings like Opti-Glass..No Rinse, Opti-Clean...everything. it's brilliant.
also, Opti-Clean. 95% of my arsenal is OPT stuff. it is all so amazing. makes life so much easier!
his MF pads, hyper spray polish and compound, non-clay clay bars, all the coatings like Opti-Glass..No Rinse, Opti-Clean...everything. it's brilliant.
What's the cost on that?
#49
Re: Paint Maintenance
Some are, some aren't. I've had a few cars that certain panels needed to be wetsanded before, more of the time it's because of oxidation. I'll usually start with 1500grit, then 2000, 2500.
How bad/deep are the paint chips? Can you post a couple pictures of them
How bad/deep are the paint chips? Can you post a couple pictures of them