Claying Today....

[4Runner7]

Have tried to search for this topic but didn't find the answer....

Planning on claying the 4R today. Our garage is a gym/workshop so I usually wash it outside, then dry before the water logs in.

QUESTION: After washing today, do I need to do the claying inside? Can this be done outside in the sun? I am using Mothers California Clay Bar kit.

Thanks!

 

[bama16]

the area you are claying needs to be wet...it would be difficult in direct sunlight.

 

[econhonda]

I believe the kit says to be out of direct sunlight. I just did my wife's car, and the kit comes with a spray solution to keep things wet.

 

[ALBPM]

the area you are claying needs to be wet...it would be difficult in direct sunlight.

may not be a problem in Oregon....:

 

[Trevloc]

may not be a problem in Oregon....:

haha true story. but right now oregon is soooo perfect. im going there in september and hoping itll be the same way.

 

[4Runner7]

HA! Very true... We live in Bend (just east in the foothills of the cascades) so during the summers we get a ton a really nice weather! Winters are a different story though!

Was reading over the package just now and it doesn't say anything about applying conditions. But might just wait to do it when the sun isn't in the back of the house later on today.

What kind of time does it take ya'll do this? Never done it before. I've heard 3-4 hrs? Is that correct?

 

[4Runner7]

Also, what kind of wax are ya'll using after claying?

 

[econhonda]

No, not for me. I could clay my entire 4runner in one hour. If I was washing, buffing, claying, waxing, sealing, that might take closer to 3 hours.

 

[4Runner7]

Oh sweet! Good news...

What kind of wax did you use? Did you do it inside or out?

 

[econhonda]

Oh sweet! Good news...

What kind of wax did you use? Did you do it inside or out?

I am really not the authority on this stuff. I used a simple spray on turtle wax that has carnouba in it along with other polymer stuff. Anyway, afterwards I put on turtlewax ICE sealer. I'm sure others have found better things though...

 

[jacob7071]

What kind of time does it take ya'll do this? Never done it before. I've heard 3-4 hrs? Is that correct?

It usually takes me about 2 - 2.5 hrs to clay. If you're going to clay, I'd wash first with dishwashing liquid or something with a degreasing agent to get as much off the paint as you can (any leftover wax, sealant, grease from the roads, etc). Then clay. When you clay, make sure you use the spray to keep the surface wet. The clay won't slide easily and it'll actually smear a little on a dry surface. Then it's not a bad idea to wash again with dishwashing liquid or something to get any residue that may have smeared on the paint.

Then your truck will be about as clean as you can get it. Now, you can put sealant. Let it cure for about 12-24 hrs. Then wax and let it cure for another 12-24 hrs.

Sealant and wax need to go on in the shade. They do the same thing, so you can do either or both after claying - I think generally, sealant lasts longer, but wax protects better. The clay can be done in the sun, but it needs a wet surface, which, like bama said, can be difficult to get in the sun.

 

[ALBPM]

For washing

Dawn Liquid dish washing soap is the recommended choice since it degreases and strips off old wax.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Clay inside, no matter what the temp is.

After using Meguiars's claybar, I like to use their 205 polish, then seal it with either their NXT 2.0 or, since I guess you see snow, Collinite 845 (know as insulator wax). The latter does well against snow.

Since 205 is not that readily available in the parts store, try and find meguiar's #7 polish. Collinite 845 can be found at Advance Auto and NXT I have even seen at Lowes.

 

[4Runner7]

Thanks for the responses! Claying went amazingly well today!

Truck looks perfect and I believe that the paint is within almost 90-95% original look and feel.

I used Merguiars car wash liquid first then dried completely, used the clay kit, then used mothers cleaning wax to finish and protect the paint.

Should I seal it now or just let the wax do what it does....?? Thanks!

 

[Ghostrider]

For washing

Dawn Liquid dish washing soap is the recommended choice since it degreases and strips off old wax.

But only use it when you want to clay or wax. otherwise it removes your wax. Use a soap that is made for cars washes all other times.

 

[doubleA]

1. Wash
2. Dry
3. pre-wax cleaner
4. Clay Bar...use a good system that gas a lubricant to avoid messing up the clear
5. Wash
6. Dry
7. Wax/sealent (I use a product called Klasse)
8. Drink a beer

 

[LittleCaesar]

You want to seal the polish, then put a nice wax (carnuba or such) over the sealant, at least that is how I was told here in the humid and hot VA,NC east coast.

The rule of thumb is wax over sealant, but if you don't have a high degree of heat and humidity to contend with, just enjoy the good job ya did. There are many choices out there for polish, sealant, and wax.

Duragloss also is a great product sold at Carquest and is cheap. Their 101 or 111 polish topped with their 105 sealant, then 931 Aqua spray wax produce outstanding results.

 

[4Runner7]

Made sure to get that beer in too! That is a must with any project!

LittleCeaser- That makes a lot of sense. Didn't really understand exactly what sealant did, other than the obvious, and which one to do first. I think that I am just going to leave the clay job then the cleaner wax on for now and see how that does. Was just worried that it might mess up the paint job by not sealing it, but thinking about it more you are just sealing the wax job you just did. I am fine with the weather as today it is Sunny and 81 w/ 51% Humidity here in Bend, OR!!