It puzzeled me a bit when I clayed my truck for the first time last year. I duno the brand I used but I picked it up at autozone and it had a blue gumby looking caracter on the front. I washed the truck 2wice with dawn and then clayed it. I used my zaino squirt stuff(the final step, comes in a squirt bottle and you wipe it on and then off, cant remember what it is but it says its fine for this use)

First I found if I didnt use plenty of lube it seemed to want to leave a residue. So I would have to go over it again. And although it pulled off some stuff it didnt really seam to do much and it actually looked better after I washed it and before I tried to clay it, like it still left a bit of residue.

Should I have washed it again after I clayed and then waxed??? Was the zaino stuff bad to use as lube? Did I just buy a crappy bar?

My truck seriously looks like crap and has a nasty filmy thing going on. Its nice out so I need to do more than the hose and spray wash she has been getting over the winter. :help2:

TIA

From what I've found, all clay bars are not the same...Sadly, it seems the japanese made clay works better than the american stuff :(
Anyway Phil, I've found that the lube that comes with the clay works the best. If you can't use that, one of the "final inspection" sprays work pretty well with the clay as well. Another thing, and I think this is what you had happen, is do 1 panel at a time and polish it after you've done the clay. Dry clay is a bastard alligator to get off. I think this is where your cloudy haze is coming from.
If you can find it down there, Wizard has a very good clay product. I've been using their clay and their "mist-n-shine" for a few years now.
Also, don't drop the clay on the shop floor and use it....You'll have a much larger project to do if you do this. ):h

So If I cant find any wizzard clay any other recomendations or just look for the made in japan stuff. I figured who would be a better spokeperson for clay bars than a friendly smiling guy made outa the stuff? Guess I fell into some marketing BS :o:

I think the zaino stuff I used is a "final inspection" spray. You squirt it onto a 1' square and whipe it off. The "kit" didnt come with any lube just a big box with a clump of blue clay inside.

I had some specling from a road painting crew on the side of my truck:mad: but it did take that off:cool: just left a kinda unwashed look

I used MEGUIRES clay last time and it worked well, havent used anyother stuff so cant compare.

So If I cant find any wizzard clay any other recomendations or just look for the made in japan stuff. I figured who would be a better spokeperson for clay bars than a friendly smiling guy made outa the stuff? Guess I fell into some marketing BS :o:

I think the zaino stuff I used is a "final inspection" spray. You squirt it onto a 1' square and whipe it off. The "kit" didnt come with any lube just a big box with a clump of blue clay inside.

I had some specling from a road painting crew on the side of my truck:mad: but it did take that off:cool: just left a kinda unwashed look

Well, if you can't find wizard's, you can use other brands. One of the reasons I like wizard is because its not as "gummy" to handle. Wizard is a bit "firmer" (is that even a word?)
It sounds to me like that zaino stuff should be okay for lubricant.
At any rate, after you get done with the vehicle (the clay part of the step) Yes, you should wax it afterwards...With the clay, you've removed any wax that was on it (can't be running around without protection you know ):h )
All in all, clay is a pain in the ass to use. It's an all day project on a truck like these when you include the wax job afterwards. Your arm will be pretty much useless for the rest of the night too.

I used to use a clay bar called Zebra clay. They make liquid clay these days, if you can find it. For the bars, you don't need a special lube, just mix up some really soapy water with dishwashing liquid and use that. A pre-cleaner should get off any residual, then wax-on, wax-off. :D

If I use a conventional wax I probably dont need to rewash I would assume but I would also assume next time I should probably rinse? Probably go with a dawn bath, then clay bar, then my zaino wash, then zaino wax. You aint kidding about an all day ordeal. Especially with the zaino.

If I use a conventional wax I probably dont need to rewash I would assume but I would also assume next time I should probably rinse? Probably go with a dawn bath, then clay bar, then my zaino wash, then zaino wax. You aint kidding about an all day ordeal. Especially with the zaino.

Who's dawn? Do I know her? ):h

That sounds like the right steps to me, phil. I don't think I have ever bothered to wash between clay and wax/polish before. I figure I just spent a pile of time polishing that clay off and the surface is nice and dry. Why get is soaking wet again and have to wait for it to dry before putting my wax/polish on? (Unless of course you're out of beer and need to make a run to the store while the truck is drying :D )

You can clay over a 1/2 wet truck right? I planned to wash with dish soap http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif and then clay and then wash with the zaino wash, and dry, and then start the zaino waxing deal.

I use the clay bar while I am washing. The new soap I am using is the new Meguires NXT shampoo...very slippery stuff...great for claying as your wash...first get the dirt off and put more shampoo on and clay.

I used to use the zaino shampoo but the Meguires was just as good and cheaper...it is also seems like it is more slippery.

I also just do one section at a time...wash with Meguires Nxt...rinse and wash again with clay...rinse..dry..polish if needed or if you want to remove old wax... and wax or the zaino Z2 pro. Sounds like a lot..but I can do the whole truck in under an hour...key is that I do this twice a month.

Key thing about polish before Zaino...use a polish that is a pure polish..that way it will remove any build up and not leave any residue behind. Then leave Zaino on the truck until it wipes off very easily.

I'm lazy. My dealer has a detail shop. $125 for full clay job and wax.

Just an FYI. There is only one Mfg of the clay bars and it is over seas. All the bars you see out there come from the same source only distributed by different companies. It is all the same stuff only different colors. BUT there are different grades of the clays like MED and FINE grit. MED is for heavy removal and is basically wet sanding. The FINE is used more for your general clean ups. When the companies do not specify what grade, you are basically rolling the dice on what you actualy have and with all the custom colors it is hard to tell a difference.

Not sure what your "film" is but what did you use to remove the gloss enhancer you sprayed on. You should have used a polish or wax before the enhancer to polish and protect. the enhancer does just that, enhances! I would wash it again with a good soapy mixture and even clay it again using the soap as a lube. Wash it again, dry it good, polish it, enhance it. should be OK then. If that don't work seek a pro to get it back into shape. $100 isn't much to spend for the nice results.

Did that whole deal last year. I believe I used a regular wax over the top of it since I was short on time to zaino it. I dint wash or rinse after the clay witch was probably my mistake. Probably left a film of enhancer stuff and maybe clay goo on my truck.

Any way to tell if you have deccent clay or the right grade? Firmness, sticky, a certian flavor ect???

I clay my Blazer every time I wash it once a year and four steps of waxing. You can also just use mildly soapy water for lube when claying.

I use to buy the lube specificly for the clay process and I could never find a contents on the bottles. So I decided to just use the same bottle and fill it up with about two table spoons of car wash liquid soap and the rest water. This way it makes some great suds and the bottle has the prefered spray nozzle for this also.
After I clay a body panel I simply spray the lubrication again and wipe it clean. This leaves a nice clean and dry spot for the wax later on.
I clay everything on the vehicle inlcuding the windows. The front and rear windows can hold a lot of crap that will not come off when hand washing.

ratlover,
I have to ask and I am not sure if I missed it somewhere, but why do you use dishwashing soap instead of car soap? Car soap is desinged for the paint on our vehicles and dishwashing soap will leave a dull apearance.

I also have to argue with you partsguy. I feel that a clay bar process is the easiest way to get your vehicle clean. And it should only take about two hours tops to finish a truck of our size if you just do the body panels.
I do my vehicles three to four times a year depending on the the way winter left things.

The reason I sometimes use dish soap is becasue my truck can sometimes get to be a pig. And I mean NASTY! I also sometimes cant wash and wax her so I have to settle for the hose and spray especailly in the colder months. I want to get all that "wax" crap ect off from the hose and spray. I wash the first time with dish soap and then was with car soap. If I can actually keep her clean I just use car soap.

Thanks for the input gys:)

Ratlover, sorry I'm jumping in so late. You got the right process. What I do is wash truck, clay, wash again, polish, then wax. I found a great website for autocare info and products, a memeber here recommended it to me. The link is www.properautocare.com . I used mothers clay bar for a couple of years on my trucks and it worked good. This spring I used Diamondite speed clay, this stuff is awesome:ro) . http://www.diamondite.com/speedclay.htm It is a foam that you apply with a sponge to the truck. It cleaned the paint on my truck very very well and the process was quick, my arm was not half as tired.

Then after I clayed the truck I used Menzerna polish , then wax. Now I know people will argue with me but I'm going to say it, I think Menzerna products have got to be the best stuff out there. I found it on the above link. I have never had a polish or wax go on and off so easy with no residue left behind.
The wax has been on my truck for 6 weeks and it still acts new. I had my truck looking better than when I bought it new. Good luck. Remember this is just my opinion.

If you check out the zainostore.com website, all the steps and procedures are detailed there for you. Zaino is not cheap, but provides awesome results!

I have used zaino stuff with great sucess. I havent checked thier site inawhile so I didnt know if they sold clay? That foam stuff sounds interesting. How does it work? I'm always up for not ending up with sore arms afterwards. I thought rubbing the clay acroos the truck kinda picked up the stuff like a lint roller on a shirt basicly? How would something squirted on a sponge work?

I'm in need of another clay product, I may try that or another clay bar???

Might be an urban myth, but I have always heard dishsoap is hard on automotive paints, something about stripping out natural oils or something?

It will peel off any wax you put on it. Its also slightly basic, probably not good on things long term if you dont get it all off, outa the crevises, ect.

I had an old truck painted with semi-metalic Imron. On the old paint I would wash it with Dawn. I told the painter this and he said that Dawn will kill the coat, never use it. He also said that soap bubbles are just there for looks. He said the bubbles really don't "work" to remove and dirt and that soap is really rather flat. Anyhow, if I were to use dishsoap, use Ivory. ......I guess that means that the clear coat can be dulled or dried by harsh soap?

.......I tested "dawn" on some old paint and yes it will eat the coat if it dries.

Ratlover
Try THIS (http://www.detailcity.com/) forum
Or IIRC THIS (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/) site has some good info claying

Ratlover, I'm not sure how the foam works but it does! The paint on my truck was very smooth when I was done. I was so happy with the results I put the clay bar in the garbage. I guess the foam has clay in it, like some cleaning waxes do, and the foam has cleaners in it also. The sponge is kinda different. It is a firm sponge that grabs hold of the grit, bugs, tar, etc. on the paint and pulls it off. When I first used it I thought I was using sandpaper. It scared me, but it worked great and left no swirls or scratches. All I can say is give it a try.

The only thing I didn't like was that if you got it on any plastic (door panels, wheel flares) it would make a wax mark on the black plastic. If I cleaned it off right away it would not leave a mark.

Sounds like it basicly desolves the tar/overspray and lifts it with the sponge.
Sounds much like the spray on bug remover poducts.

This spring I used Diamondite speed clay, this stuff is awesome:ro) . http://www.diamondite.com/speedclay.htm It is a foam that you apply with a sponge to the truck. It cleaned the paint on my truck very very well and the process was quick, my arm was not half as tired.

I ordered some of that this morning. I have had some tar on my truck since sept. '03, been to damn lazy to even try to get it off. I hope this stuff works, I'll let ya'll know. Maybe a product review, before and after pics.

Just be careful with that Diamondite as it can be pretty aggressive on darker colors. The foam has "abrasives" in it that works much like clay bars. I actually work for the company who makes that "sponge" that comes with it. Personally I wouldn't touch that "sponge" to any of my finishes but that is just me. Make sure you wet the "sponge" first to soften it some otherwise it is just like sand paper on your finish. They sent us samples a year or two ago of the Diamondite to try and I actually use it in my showers at home to keep the glass clean. Clay bars only on the trucks!

Ok so I'm leaning away from the sponge deal.......

So how do I know I'm getting a fine grit bar since they are prerty much all made in the same place?

Heres a few comments I have after following this thread carefully.

I use dishsoap only when I purposely want to deep clean my paint. Usually before clay bar and wax. Meguirars or Mothers carwash soap is a better choice for weekly washing.

The clay bar works if you follow a couple simple steps. Wash vehicle first, Use supplied lubricant, wipe area clean immediatly after clay baring, fold and reshape clay bar after every area.

This diamondite products looks very promising. It sure looks like there quick clay could be the hot ticket. They even have products that supposedly deep clean your glass and apply a protective coating?????I cant wait to hear some feedback. Too good to be true? We shall see.

If you are a Zaino user then use the Zaino claybar. The blue "Clay Magic" bar sucks, go with the yellow "Mothers" bar, way better.

Posted my findings on Diamondite Clay 'n shine Here (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=580824#post580824)