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Hi guys. For some strange reason I woke up today and said its time to clean my car up. I somehow found myself at the car wash and said what the heck and ran her through. Then I came home and dug out my mcquires gold and started waxing the car. Now here is my question I recently have started reading about Claying a car to remove imperfections in the paint. I will be honest I have never even heard about this until seeing the junkman videos from a link on a different post from this site. Im wondering if any of you guys clay your cars. In the video he shows how if you stick your hand in a baggie and run it over the paint you will feel all the imperfections in your cars paint. Well I did this after waxing my car and was shocked. The paint feels perfectly smooth to the touch with just your finger tips. Then I put the baggie on and could feel thousands of little bumps. Now from what I have read claying the car should remove all of the bumps and when combined with a proper wax job which includes using the other compounds such as the swirl remover its supposed to come out smooth as glass. Are any of you guys claying your cars? Is it worth the effort? Do you have any tips or tricks? And while im best do you like to use power tools for your polishing or waxing? Or do it all by hand?

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I'm probably going to get beat up for this, but I tried it once. Never again. I saw no difference except that I had to was it again. I wax mine with a polisher at 1500 RPM and wipe it off by hand. I use Meguire's NXT

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Im thinking about picking up a portar cable. I know that will keep me motivated to make sure I get the job done at least twice a year. Wont be such a chore. I figured with all the guys on this site that love to pamper their Caddy's some of you would be into claying your car. Maybe its not that big a deal or not worth the time.

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The clay removes bonded surface contaminates from the paint, not defects in the paint. I have used the clay bar on my cars - it is a fair amount of work but leaves the finish very smooth. If you drop the clay bar, throw it away - if it is dropped, it will pick up grit from the driveway and you'll scratch the paint. Break the clay bar into thirds so if you do drop it, you will have clean clay on hand. Store the clay in a ziplock bag to keep dirt out of it.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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I have used maguires and mothers clay bars with their detailing liquids and find that my finish is like GLASS, I love clay bars, it can be frustrating if you dont use enough liquid or the surface is warm as the clay can end up on the finish, but clay barring is AMAZING

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Maybe that was my problem. It WAS outside in the sun. Tedious and terribly spotted when finished. That's why I had to rewash it. Maybe I did it wrong, but I ain't gonna do it again. A nice buffer makes quick work of a wax job and seems to leave the finish smooth and looking great to my eyes.

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Maybe that was my problem. It WAS outside in the sun. Tedious and terribly spotted when finished. That's why I had to rewash it. Maybe I did it wrong, but I ain't gonna do it again. A nice buffer makes quick work of a wax job and seems to leave the finish smooth and looking great to my eyes.

Yes, if the surface is hot, the clay transfers to the paint, a light touch with lots of detailing liquid on a cool body is the way to go. Give it another try its pretty amazing

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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thanks again for the awesome advise. So im thinking seeing as i just waxed her up. Im going to wait till i get my portar cable and go through and do the whole 9 yards. I have a few minor scratches so I wanta make her shine

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When I use the detailing clay, I wash the car and then leave it wet to lube the clay and add more water when required. Then chamois dry and wax.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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When the bar gets dirty, throw away the dirty part. It should last several years if you kep it in a ziploc bag.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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How long do the bars usually last you? Will 1 bar do the whole car? Can it be reused?

As Kevin noted, it lasts a long time. Keep it in an air tight plastic wrap to stop it from drying out and keep it cool

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Well Im pretty excited about it. I think I will give it a try. Ill post the pics when I get done. Thanks again for the great info

definately report back your results, I think you will like it, keep it very wet with detailing liquid and use a light touch

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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  • 3 months later...

Ranger I definitely think you should give the clay bar another try. As bbf said you must keep the surface wet, you cant use too much liquid, and stay out of the sun. It is awesome afterward. As for the vertical surfaces jimd use the baggie and you will know soon enough. Everybody's car get dirty on the side and not cleaned immediately so I would have to think the vertical surface will need clayed also.

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  • 6 months later...

Im thinking about picking up a portar cable. I know that will keep me motivated to make sure I get the job done at least twice a year. Wont be such a chore. I figured with all the guys on this site that love to pamper their Caddy's some of you would be into claying your car. Maybe its not that big a deal or not worth the time.

I have used clay bars, it makes a dramatic difference. The key is to take your time and throughly do the car. Seal it with a premium wax. I suggest Mothers..

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This clay thing is something I've never heard of before. Maybe I'll give it a try in the spring when all the snow and road salt is gone and I give my car a really good washing and waxing.

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I have never used clay before. I understand you purchased the car a few months ago, so do not know the paint finishs' history. If it feels gritty, then it's worth a try. I myself would not use anything like a rubbing compound or polishing compound unless it's really needed. If you have tar splatters, you might be better off using a paint thinner to remove that - but always finish this prep with a good wax. I have used a pre-cleaner from 3m on a few spots to remove small dots of paint etc. from the finish. Not sure where small white dots come from on a road, but it has happened on several occasions I had them all over my trunk once. I wax every year, and a spray mist wax every time after it's washed.

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Well it definitely feels gritty right now, but that's most likely due to road salt and other winter deposits. I'll know a little better after a good washing in the spring. When I got it at the end of summer, the paint looked very nice. Still had an extremely good shine to it, but I never thought to feel it for any grit or anything like that. I've only washed it once since I've owned it, but unfortunately didn't get to waxing it before snow fell..fighting0025.gif I could kick myself for that one....

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I plan on claying mine in the spring.

It is fairly smooth, but it has 75,000 on it and has never been clayed.

I think it is about time.

I just bought me a new orbital buffer for Christmas.

That should make it easier to wax after using the clay bar.

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I just bought me a new orbital buffer for Christmas.

That should make it easier to wax after using the clay bar.

I'll just "steal" my brother's. I don't need to buy tools. I just rob all of his. tongue.gif Until he remembers I have them, that is....

big4870885.jpg

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I just bought me a new orbital buffer for Christmas.

That should make it easier to wax after using the clay bar.

I'll just "steal" my brother's. I don't need to buy tools. I just rob all of his. tongue.gif Until he remembers I have them, that is....

Heck...thats even better than buying them. :D

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I just bought me a new orbital buffer for Christmas.

That should make it easier to wax after using the clay bar.

I'll just "steal" my brother's. I don't need to buy tools. I just rob all of his. tongue.gif Until he remembers I have them, that is....

Heck...thats even better than buying them. :D

Indeed it is. I have all the basics, but if it comes to needing something like a fuel pressure tester, an orbital buffer, a tech II or anything else expensive, why buy it if I can just use his? Especially since I would most likely only need to use it once or twice.

I've done the waxing thing by hand, and it's a pain. Not to mention it takes forever. Orbital is definitely the way to go for that.

You could always be redneck and hook a buffing pad to a die-grinder, Lol. I don't know how much the car would appreciate it though. blink.gif

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