DDP

I think it's time to freshen up the look of my black Vette, the question is is it better to clay bar and wax or compound and wax? The paint is in good shape except for some stone chips.

jimmie jam

Clay will REMOVE what compound will not. Check out www.autopia.org for some help....

PacificaVette

You might want to post this in the Car Care Discussion section. That's where the serious detailers hang out. You'll generate a lot more replies, and get some pretty good advice over there. That said, I think you you should use clay first. It removes impurities from your paint and gives you a clean surface for polishing.

KyJim

Put you hand in a baggie and gently rub across your paint. If you feel any roughness it needs to be clayed. I clay mine once a year and follow up with 2 coats of Pinnacle wax. I have no swirls or scratches on my car.
If your finish does not have much contamination, use very fine clay. I use the Pinnacle ultra fine clay bars.

DDP

This is the compound I used on my C4 which turned out pretty good, never used clay bar before so I'm a little nervous about that.

DDP

Yes I did the Baggie thing and it's not smooth. I guess I'll try the clay bar.
Your car looks great did you just do the top of the car or down the doors and fenders as well?

Don-Vette

You can't mess up with clay bar just keep area wet.

extrapilot

You should clay when ever prepping for polishing and waxing.
Using clay is real easy, just need to keep the clay wet and use a good lubricant, detail spray will work fine in most cases. Keep kneading the clay to keep a clean surface up. Flatten the clay with your hand and use a back and forth motion. Once the clay stops grabbing up the contaminates, move on to a new area. Run your hand across the surface and feel how smooth the finish is. Your done at this point.

Sabre34

I clay bar about once a year and either wax or quick detail spray in between.

jimmie jam

AND, remember you do not apply any pressure...just let it "glide" over the surface. 2 X 2ft area or small panel at a time...like Don says KEEP WET.

KyJim

DDP, the Meguiar's Ultimate compound is for use after you clay. It's somewhat aggressive and I don't use. I do the whole car except for the acrylic top panel. I clean this only with Stoner Invisible Glass. Start at the upper surfaces and work down.

Use fine clay (Griots, NP, Pinnacle, Mothers, Meguiar's) are all ok.
Use a detail spray, I use Mequiars Last Touch Detail spray diluted with about 30% distilled water, as a lubricant. I cut the clay bars in thirds. Rub with very light pressure side to side and front to back (not in circular patterns) and use plenty of lubricant. You will be able to tell when the surface is clean as the clay will freely glide across the paint. Ball up and flatten the clay back out after each panel. You will see the contaminates on the clay.

You can use your Ultimate compound after you clay if you have some light swirls, but remember each time you do this you are removing a little bit of paint finish.

Follow up with a good wax or sealant and post some pictures as it should look good.

When we designed the Corvette Museum, I spent some time with the guys in the detail shop getting cars ready for museum delivery and they survey each panel and mark them with white chalk. These areas get clayed before they are waxed. I learned what I do from them.

Welker1

Another 'vote' for clay bar. I do mine once a year, as other's have stated they do, to remove any & all the road grime you pick up over time.

jrose7004

Clay bar is much easier to use. Pretty much fool proof.

Mark H

All you need to know when it comes to car care!
http://www.autogeek.net/

cmonkey713

Clay first and see what you are dealing with. Paint correction is a serious project especially icy are not skilled the art. Go to the Autogeek website and view their videos on paint correction before you touch the painted surface with an abrasive produce. Proper buffers, pads and products is a must for a successful outcome. If you are in doubt of your skills take it to a good detailer that is familiar with the Corvette clear coat.

windyC6

Something just doesn't seem right about dragging a piece of clay across your paint to pick up road "debris" and then dragging said clay across the paint with the collected debris in it. As Mr. Spock would say...."its just not logical".

Mr.Nubain

I've always used clay bars, on my fun cars. Nearly 20 years of detailing and I've never had a bad experience with them. I've always used the Meguiar's clay and detail spray to do it and the results have always been great and Meguiar's is affordable too. I clay before I put her in storage and maybe once in the middle of the summer just because I enjoy the whole clay/polish/wax look when it's done.

Corvette_Ed

The one thing I did not see mentioned here is that if you drop your clay, throw it away. It will pick up tiny rocks and other debris that will scratch the crap out of your paint.

Mr.Nubain

Yup, toss it. Damaged good. That can really f up your paint and your day if one re-uses. Clay is pretty cheap to replace, paint isn't.

NashvilleGrandSport

I use Meguiars Ultimate clay with their spray detailer , polish and wax. Easily done. Very pleased with the results.