Clay vs. Paint Cleaner?
Oct 21, 2007 | 01:25 AM
#1
Thread Starter
PT's Slowest Truck
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,863
Likes: 2
From: Hackensack, NJ
Clay vs. Paint Cleaner?
Well, due to time and money issues, I've really neglected the finish on my truck. I used to have it professionally detailed 2 to 3 times a year back when I had money lol. Anyway, the paint's looking beat, and I'm planning on trying to set aside a Saturday within the next month or so to give it a good once over.
I was googling some products, and found some pretty good info on both Zaino and Meguiars websites. One thing that I'm a little confused about though....Meguiar offers a claybar system, but they also offer a "Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner". Both products seem to do almost the same thing. The Deep Crystal stuff seems like you use the cleaner, then polish, then wax, while the clay bar is the same process, but you do the clay instead of the cleaner.
Bottom line is, I'm not sure which products to get. I'm probably gonna go with Meguiars since it's inexpensive and I can pretty much get it anywhere, but do I get the clay system or the cleaner system? I have hard water spots, and a grey haze from car washes and their "spray wax", as well as lingering outlines from when I debadged it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...The exterior cleaning/maintenance has always been something that I stayed away from...I spend my time wrenching my vehicles. (I do an excellent job cleaning the interior though)
Thanks!!
-Billy
I was googling some products, and found some pretty good info on both Zaino and Meguiars websites. One thing that I'm a little confused about though....Meguiar offers a claybar system, but they also offer a "Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner". Both products seem to do almost the same thing. The Deep Crystal stuff seems like you use the cleaner, then polish, then wax, while the clay bar is the same process, but you do the clay instead of the cleaner.
Bottom line is, I'm not sure which products to get. I'm probably gonna go with Meguiars since it's inexpensive and I can pretty much get it anywhere, but do I get the clay system or the cleaner system? I have hard water spots, and a grey haze from car washes and their "spray wax", as well as lingering outlines from when I debadged it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...The exterior cleaning/maintenance has always been something that I stayed away from...I spend my time wrenching my vehicles. (I do an excellent job cleaning the interior though)
Thanks!!
-Billy
Oct 21, 2007 | 02:07 AM
#2
Oh to own a BLACK truck. LOL. I've had two dark trucks, and while I loved how they looked when clean, they showed everything when dirty. So I guess I'll throw my opinion out there.
-First, you can't go wrong with a clay bar. Just spray on some lubricant(i.e. spray detailer), glide the bar across the surface in parallel fashion until you feel the surface get smoother, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Do one section at a time. You won't believe how much junk the bar will clean up.
-Second, esp. with black paint, go over it with a paint cleaner which is just a light rubbing compound. This will help clear up the haze and fine scratches.
-Third. Now you can polish and wax however many coats you want to add to the colors depth. A polymer based wax will last longer than a carnuba based wax. I usually finish by going over the whole truck with a spray detailer.
Now I assume that you'll be doing this by hand. May I recommend investing in something like a Porter Cable orbital buffer. Unless you're cutting with a wool pad, there's no chance of burning the paint like you can with a high-speed polisher, and with only a 6-inch pad it's small enough to get in tight spots. It's a lot faster and I'm getting too old for Karate Kid wax-on, wax-off. Plenty of guys will swear by brands like Zaino and Poor Boy but Meguiars is a really good off-the-shelf brand.
-First, you can't go wrong with a clay bar. Just spray on some lubricant(i.e. spray detailer), glide the bar across the surface in parallel fashion until you feel the surface get smoother, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Do one section at a time. You won't believe how much junk the bar will clean up.
-Second, esp. with black paint, go over it with a paint cleaner which is just a light rubbing compound. This will help clear up the haze and fine scratches.
-Third. Now you can polish and wax however many coats you want to add to the colors depth. A polymer based wax will last longer than a carnuba based wax. I usually finish by going over the whole truck with a spray detailer.
Now I assume that you'll be doing this by hand. May I recommend investing in something like a Porter Cable orbital buffer. Unless you're cutting with a wool pad, there's no chance of burning the paint like you can with a high-speed polisher, and with only a 6-inch pad it's small enough to get in tight spots. It's a lot faster and I'm getting too old for Karate Kid wax-on, wax-off. Plenty of guys will swear by brands like Zaino and Poor Boy but Meguiars is a really good off-the-shelf brand.
Oct 21, 2007 | 02:57 AM
#3
Oh to own a BLACK truck. LOL. I've had two dark trucks, and while I loved how they looked when clean, they showed everything when dirty. So I guess I'll throw my opinion out there.
-First, you can't go wrong with a clay bar. Just spray on some lubricant(i.e. spray detailer), glide the bar across the surface in parallel fashion until you feel the surface get smoother, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Do one section at a time. You won't believe how much junk the bar will clean up.
-Second, esp. with black paint, go over it with a paint cleaner which is just a light rubbing compound. This will help clear up the haze and fine scratches.
-Third. Now you can polish and wax however many coats you want to add to the colors depth. A polymer based wax will last longer than a carnuba based wax. I usually finish by going over the whole truck with a spray detailer.
Now I assume that you'll be doing this by hand. May I recommend investing in something like a Porter Cable orbital buffer. Unless you're cutting with a wool pad, there's no chance of burning the paint like you can with a high-speed polisher, and with only a 6-inch pad it's small enough to get in tight spots. It's a lot faster and I'm getting too old for Karate Kid wax-on, wax-off. Plenty of guys will swear by brands like Zaino and Poor Boy but Meguiars is a really good off-the-shelf brand.
-First, you can't go wrong with a clay bar. Just spray on some lubricant(i.e. spray detailer), glide the bar across the surface in parallel fashion until you feel the surface get smoother, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Do one section at a time. You won't believe how much junk the bar will clean up.
-Second, esp. with black paint, go over it with a paint cleaner which is just a light rubbing compound. This will help clear up the haze and fine scratches.
-Third. Now you can polish and wax however many coats you want to add to the colors depth. A polymer based wax will last longer than a carnuba based wax. I usually finish by going over the whole truck with a spray detailer.
Now I assume that you'll be doing this by hand. May I recommend investing in something like a Porter Cable orbital buffer. Unless you're cutting with a wool pad, there's no chance of burning the paint like you can with a high-speed polisher, and with only a 6-inch pad it's small enough to get in tight spots. It's a lot faster and I'm getting too old for Karate Kid wax-on, wax-off. Plenty of guys will swear by brands like Zaino and Poor Boy but Meguiars is a really good off-the-shelf brand.
Oct 21, 2007 | 03:29 AM
#4
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
I agree with everything this guy said. Definitely x2 on the clay bar, i was amazed at how much crap it brought off of my S-10 the other day when I did it, it looks like I repainted it with just a clay bar and one coat of wax...
Oct 21, 2007 | 07:32 AM
#5
Get both, they serve two different purposes. The clay bar will remove stuff like tar and sap that a paint cleaner wont but a paint cleaner will remove any old wax on the paint as well as any oxidation. An OTC paint cleaner will be mostly a chemical cleaner with very, very mild abrasives in it so it won't do much to remove swirls or scratches. My suggestion:
1. Wash the truck with a good car wash (no dish soap)
2. Dry using a waffle weave microfiber (Meguiars Water Magnets are decent)
3. Clay the whole truck, go with Meguiars smooth surface clay. You get two clay bars and a decent microfiber towel with it.
4. Go over the whole truck with Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner using a foam applicator pad.
5. Make sure you remove all the paint cleaner. You may need to wash the truck again to get it all off.
6. Time for wax! if you don't like waxing go for a synthetic sealant instead of a carnauba based wax. Meguiars NXT and Mothers FX Synwax are both good and available anywhere. NXT looks better but FX is a little easier to use and doesn't stain plastic trim. Both are good, you just have to decide it you value looks or ease of use more. Let the wax haze then buff it off with a quality microfiber.
I promise you will be amazed at the difference. Make sure you get a couple of drying towels and at least 3 microfiber towels (Meguiars and Mothers both make good microfiber you can get almost anywhere). The clay bar will make the paint very smooth by removing any crap stuck to it. The clay bar will probably help with the water spots, too but odds are you will need the paint cleaner to really remove them. The first time you do this it will take some time but don't get discouraged. You may want to split it up over a couple of days. Wash the truck then use the clay bar and paint cleaner one day, re-wash and wax the next. You could even split it up over two weekends if you wanted.
If you lived closer I would offer to come over and help.
1. Wash the truck with a good car wash (no dish soap)
2. Dry using a waffle weave microfiber (Meguiars Water Magnets are decent)
3. Clay the whole truck, go with Meguiars smooth surface clay. You get two clay bars and a decent microfiber towel with it.
4. Go over the whole truck with Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner using a foam applicator pad.
5. Make sure you remove all the paint cleaner. You may need to wash the truck again to get it all off.
6. Time for wax! if you don't like waxing go for a synthetic sealant instead of a carnauba based wax. Meguiars NXT and Mothers FX Synwax are both good and available anywhere. NXT looks better but FX is a little easier to use and doesn't stain plastic trim. Both are good, you just have to decide it you value looks or ease of use more. Let the wax haze then buff it off with a quality microfiber.
I promise you will be amazed at the difference. Make sure you get a couple of drying towels and at least 3 microfiber towels (Meguiars and Mothers both make good microfiber you can get almost anywhere). The clay bar will make the paint very smooth by removing any crap stuck to it. The clay bar will probably help with the water spots, too but odds are you will need the paint cleaner to really remove them. The first time you do this it will take some time but don't get discouraged. You may want to split it up over a couple of days. Wash the truck then use the clay bar and paint cleaner one day, re-wash and wax the next. You could even split it up over two weekends if you wanted.
If you lived closer I would offer to come over and help.
Oct 21, 2007 | 08:05 AM
#6
Thread Starter
PT's Slowest Truck
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,863
Likes: 2
From: Hackensack, NJ
Thanks for the great replies guys!! Sounds like alot of work lol...might be worth it for me to drive out to Texas to take you up on the offer for help Frito 
I'm going to be doing my truck and my wife's car soon...hers should be easier as it's a white Toyota Matrix.
I'd like to get a PorterCable orbital, but the funds just aren't there right now. I could probably borrow one from work though
I'm going to be doing my truck and my wife's car soon...hers should be easier as it's a white Toyota Matrix.
I'd like to get a PorterCable orbital, but the funds just aren't there right now. I could probably borrow one from work though
Oct 21, 2007 | 08:40 AM
#7
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Clay bars are the way to go. I just got an 08 gmc but the finish felt like sandpaper. Probably from shipping, setting on the lot, etc. Clay bar and wax....perfect. Also, another tip I could offer, Bon Ami works great on windshields. It removes sap, little bugs, etc. that washing or windex leaves behind. Just dont use comet or ajax, too abrasive.
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Oct 21, 2007 | 10:50 AM
#8
Bring your truck down here, man. I've got a PC and lots of pads, compounds, polishes, and wax. We can knock it out in a day and have that thing looking better than new.
Fatdgos's post reminded me of something: Don't forget you can use a clay bar on just about everything. You can use it on your glass to remove sap and get rid of wiper chatter as well as on exhaust tips to remove all the crap that ends up on them.
Fatdgos's post reminded me of something: Don't forget you can use a clay bar on just about everything. You can use it on your glass to remove sap and get rid of wiper chatter as well as on exhaust tips to remove all the crap that ends up on them.
Oct 21, 2007 | 12:06 PM
#9
Bring your truck down here, man. I've got a PC and lots of pads, compounds, polishes, and wax. We can knock it out in a day and have that thing looking better than new.
Fatdgos's post reminded me of something: Don't forget you can use a clay bar on just about everything. You can use it on your glass to remove sap and get rid of wiper chatter as well as on exhaust tips to remove all the crap that ends up on them.
Fatdgos's post reminded me of something: Don't forget you can use a clay bar on just about everything. You can use it on your glass to remove sap and get rid of wiper chatter as well as on exhaust tips to remove all the crap that ends up on them.
Oct 21, 2007 | 12:36 PM
#10
Want to help me with my truck? I just got it out of the body shop. Had a really bad experience with the whole thing. They used a wheel or something to remove my pinstripes and in the light reflection you can see swirl marks all the way down the side of the truck. Oh there is also over spray all over, tiny dark colored paint. The truck looks great at 20 feet but up close it looks like hell. Fixing the paint before winter would really be nice.
Shoot me a PM and we can talk more about it.