I've read several of the threads about using clay so today I bought Mequire's Quick Clay Detailing System. I'm about to give a try but had a few questions.

1. Will the clay discolor or damage the black plastic on my E? I'm thinking about when you wax how it permanently bond with the black:-o

2. How big of an area do you usually work with at one? 1' x 1'?

3. And finally when using the mist do you only want enough to where the clay kind of drags or do you want it wet enough to where it glides easily over the E?

Must appreciated if anyone can help me out here. Like I said I read for hours last night about using clay and how wonderful it is, but I just need some help with the details:)

Thanks!
Kim C.

No need to use the clay on the plastic, don't know if it will damage/stain the plastic... just try to avoid it best as you can.

I do a 1x1 area when I clay a car.

Use enough liquid to where the clay glides, you don't want it sticking to the paint or you'll be cleaning it off the paint. Just continually kneed the clay and remove any specks of dirt so it doesn't scratch the paint. If you drop the clay on the ground toss it in the garbage. Only work with small pieces at a time.

yup using the clay on the paneling is useless. It is intended only for paint.

I guess I didn't state that right....what I was trying to ask was if I needed to be particularly careful around the black areas. I wasn't planning to clay them but didn't know if I need to tape them off when using the clay.

Sometimes my thoughts are too quick for my fingers:)

I think taping the plastic would be overkill. If you take enough care, you should be able to stay far away enough from the plastic panels and trim without too much trouble, but if you do touch the plastic panels your should immediately clean up that area with either some water or 303, Back to Black, etc.

The thing about the clay bar is that you need a lot of that quick detailer spray, which means that the bar will be very wet which should help in that any stain that the plastic panels do get, should come right off if you clean it immediately.

That's what I was hoping to hear...overkill. Thanks!

I do about half the area of the hood at a time. Using a soapy water for lube.

Have been using Zaino soap/claybar/polish, etc. for five years.

Claying is a revelation in car care.

I don't make a big effort to avoid the plastic and have had no problems.

Enjoy!

:)

oooh, lucky, you are in for a cinnamon treat! I love the smell of the claybar spray! It's actually pretty darn easy too. It's like taking silly putty and shining your car with it. Doesn't seem like anything is happening until you are all done, then, WOW! Just remember, glide it along, it will do the work for you, no need to press like you are waxing.

I had to pick up a new clay bar a few days ago due to mold on my last one. Walked into Autozone and I knew I was going to need to but a whole new package but glad I did. They had not just the usual bar and spray, but TWO bars in a plastic container, spray, microfiber detailing rag and 4oz trial bottle of magueirs cleaner wax!!!:D I was a bit worried that the bottle wouldn't do the whole E, but I actually think I have enough to do it second time, bonus! Very easy stuff to work with, makes the kit a great buy and it is nice to have the second bar and now I have a second micro-rag.:D

Never had good luck with the Meguiar's clay - I found it streaks and leaves residue all over the place. I much prefer: Clay Magic, Mothers, or Zaino clay... Erazer is also ok, but a bit difficult to find.

Don't clay your plastic trim - the pores in the plastic will "grab" your clay and will probably streak the plastic. Stay away from the black edging stuff (like around windshields, windows, etc), as it will stain the clay dark black, and I've had that black stuff streak as well (on the paint).

Another tip:

When you get your new clay bar, take a sharp kitchen knife and cut it into small strips (about 3/8" wide by the length of the bar). One of those "strips" will be enough to clay about 1/2 a car, and if you drop the clay strip by accident, you've only lost a small portion of your clay bar... And like hiker chick, I use a soapy water mix for lube - it's less expensive (but doesn't smell as good as the Mothers Showtime stuff), and works just as well. :)

When the claybar gets dirty, fold it in half so you don't start scratching the paint.

You fold it so the "dirty" part is in the middle (like the fixings inside a taco), then stretch it out to the original size. Repeat several times until you feel it's time for a new bar.

For a good how-to, go see
http://www.guidetodetailing.com/articles.php?articleId=14

I never had an issue with the Meguiars clay.

sounds like maybe you weren't using enough lube for it.

i prefer a Quick Detailer to soapy water myself.

I don't use Quik Detailer for anything else, so I use it for the claybar. Besides, my Hondas deserve the good stuff. No problem with getting it on plastic trim. I just read somewhere that the clay is good for windshields, but haven't tried that yet. Anyone heard or tried it?


BTW, if you're in Florida during lovebug season at your in-laws and use wd-40 to try to dissolve the bugs since you might not normally keep bug'n'tar remover in your suitcase, get all that wd-40 off or it will dissolve the claybar. Don't ask how I know that one.:rolleyes:

I just read somewhere that the clay is good for windshields, but haven't tried that yet. Anyone heard or tried it?


Works like a charm on glass. Removes hard water spots too.

I don't use Quik Detailer for anything else, so I use it for the claybar. Besides, my Hondas deserve the good stuff. No problem with getting it on plastic trim. I just read somewhere that the clay is good for windshields, but haven't tried that yet. Anyone heard or tried it?


I do it all the time, but use soapy water as a lubricant. If you use detail spray as lubricant (comes with Mothers Clay), it's a pain to remove from the windshield.

Had to clay the hood to remove stains from windshield washer fluid. Nothing else would touch it. Certainly not Ice Liquid and surprisingly not a cleaner wax.
Followed steps listed here and in other threads for claying. I put towels between the hood and black front bumper as well as on the plastic at the bottom of the windshield. Was that overkill? I was concerned the Quick Mist Detailer would leave white marks on the plastic. Has anyone noticed this? Seems like the spray might be watered down enough so it wouldn't leave marks. If it's not a concern then I might clay the whole thing (minus panels of course). I washed it after claying the hood and would do the same if I did the entire vehicle. Would that be enough to remove any discoloration caused by the spray?
Second area of concern. I was doing 1'x1' areas but it didn't take long to do the entire hood. It felt like I was going to fast. Typically how long should it take to do the Elements hood? I'm pretty sure I was doing it the right way. It was clearly working. And after washing and applying Gold Class wax the hood is so darn smooth, plus the stains are gone.

Here's my technique:

fresh Zaino clay bar

Wash, rinse & towel-dry the entire car

Using Zaino soap (Z-7), mix a fresh (small) bucket of Zaino soap and water

using 100% cotton hand towel, lather up the hood.

Clay half the hood - gently and swiftly

Wipe down with the wet hand towel

Clay the other half of the hood

Wipe down with the wet hand towel

Rinse

Clay the rest of the car's upper sections then the lowest sections

Wash the entire car again

Commence Zaino polish regimen

Admire reflection

:)


P.S. did my E a couple weeks ago. First time since last June and it didn't need it. The clay still looks new. Scrunched, but new.

...Second area of concern. I was doing 1'x1' areas but it didn't take long to do the entire hood. It felt like I was going to fast. Typically how long should it take to do the Elements hood?.......

It does not take a lot of time to Clay Bar the Element.
If it feels good than you are probably doing it right.

When I Clay Bar any part of the car I constantly feel the paint before and after I use the Clay. It is the best way to "see" the results. Make sure you knead your clay after every area you finish.

If the hood feels smooth than more than likely you have accomplished your task. Take your time, feel your paint, and take pictures. We need to see pictures. :D