Clay + Ultimate Compound?

[xvvvz]

I was able to hand wash my car at home for the first time in almost three years (they just rescinded the drought restrictions in GA), so I got to take a good look at the paint after a quality washing and the paint is needing some extra help. The past few years of being required to use a car wash has taken its toll. It doesn't look terrible and I have washed it occasionally plus waxed it a few times a year but three years of tree sap, bird yuk, city smog, water spots, etc. has just sucked the zing out of the finish when I couldn't give it a weekly hand wash.

I was going to clay bar + wax it at a minimum and was looking at the Meguiar clay bar products. I saw they now sell a product called Ultimate Compound that is supposed to, "Safely restore color and clarity to abused and neglected finishes with Meguiar's® Ultimate Compound. Our revolutionary formula cuts as fast as harsh abrasive compounds but without scratching…" This is probably more like the strength I need and doesn't sound too harsh. I called the 800 number to talk to one of their techs though and asked if it was still advisable to clay bar first. To me, it seems the Ultimate Compound is a bit more aggressive than clay bar, so why would you even need to clay bar first? The tech guy said you still need to clay first. Does this make sense or was he just trying to sell more product?

Any insights would be appreciated.

[OCKlasse]

I assume you plan on doing this by hand? Clay + NXT 2.0 will be good. It's impossible to do any real polishing/compounding by hand.

[xvvvz]

Thanks for the reply, Brandon. Yes, it will be by hand so I will take your advice. I really wish I was close enough to drop it off with you for one of your detailing services!

[OCKlasse]

Originally posted by xvvvz
Thanks for the reply, Brandon. Yes, it will be by hand so I will take your advice. I really wish I was close enough to drop it off with you for one of your detailing services!

me too! :D

But yeah, NXT 2.0 has very good fillers in it to hide the swirling. It might be worth your while to invest $100 into a Porter Cable. Then you can achieve wonderful results!

[xvvvz]

Well, I spent about 7 hours washing, claying, quick washing again, waxing and then waxing the top portions again for a second coat. It looks a lot better but I am picky and think it is going to take power polishing to cut down into get the super deep flawless shine. I will just live with it for now. Yes, that NXT 2.0 (or whatever it is called) does seem like some pretty good wax.

I kept the car surface very wet during the clay bar stage. Not overly wet, but I wanted to avoid any dragging of the clay. Would it have been better to go a little dryer and let the clay bar pull/drag a little bit? I just wondered if it would have cleaned a bit deeper.

After you have rubbed the clay across the same spot 2 or three times, that has pretty much done all it is going to do, right? I probably did closer to 10 passes but think I was wasting my time.

[OCKlasse]

Originally posted by xvvvz
Well, I spent about 7 hours washing, claying, quick washing again, waxing and then waxing the top portions again for a second coat. It looks a lot better but I am picky and think it is going to take power polishing to cut down into get the super deep flawless shine. I will just live with it for now. Yes, that NXT 2.0 (or whatever it is called) does seem like some pretty good wax.

I kept the car surface very wet during the clay bar stage. Not overly wet, but I wanted to avoid any dragging of the clay. Would it have been better to go a little dryer and let the clay bar pull/drag a little bit? I just wondered if it would have cleaned a bit deeper.

After you have rubbed the clay across the same spot 2 or three times, that has pretty much done all it is going to do, right? I probably did closer to 10 passes but think I was wasting my time.

When you don't feel or hear any more contamination move on...and keep the surface overly lubricated.

[JRE320]

That's a pretty good advise on the detailing and it help's a lot. ;)

[OCKlasse]

Originally posted by JRE320
That's a pretty good advise on the detailing and it help's a lot. ;)

Have you seen my latest writeups?

http://mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19826

http://mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19840

http://mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19782