I just went throught the same process with my Mustang. I'd never used clay before, and I have to say I am absolutely amazed at the results.

My car has a few panels that have been repainted, and the marginal quality of the repaint has bothered me since I bought the car last year. My driver's side front fender was especially very rough to the touch. After the clay, it's as smooth as glass.

This was my first use of the Meguiars Deep Crystal 3 step system as well. I finished steps 1 & 2, and the results are incredible. I didn't know yellow could have so much depth!

I decided to add a step in between 2 & 3 and applied a coat of NXT Generation Tech Wax before I ran out of daylight last night. I plan on adding 2 coats of carnauba later today if the weather straightens up (it's raining ).

I've invested a total of about 5 hours so far into this project, but it's completely worth it. I never ever thought this car could look as good as it does without being stripped down and repainted. I'll try to post pictures when I finish.

I Used the car as a test bed for the clay and 3 step system to make sure I knew what I was doing. Now I can't wait to get started on the truck. I'll have to wait until I get feeling back into my arm though. I think it's time to invest in a Porter Cable.

 

F150sport03 - I guess another 1-1.5 hrs doing the 3-step.


I don't know how you did the 3-step in this amount of time. It takes me nearly an hour just to put painters tape around the whole truck. Also takes me nearly two hours to wash the truck properly in preparation for the clay, polish, and wax process.

Wash, clay, and 3-step takes all of Saturday and part of Sunday for me to complete, and thats with a PC.

 

I have been reading this claybar process for w ahile and am going to attempt it. I was just at Autozone and looked at two types. One was $9.99 called Clay Company or something like that. (Dark blue box) The other one was $14.99 and made by Mothers. Now I recognize the Mothers version but never heard of the other one. Is there a difference? Does it matter which one I buy? Thanks

 

"It takes me nearly an hour just to put painters tape around the whole truck. Also takes me nearly two hours to wash the truck properly in preparation for the clay, polish, and wax process."

First off, I hand wax, so there's no need to tape, especially since Meg.'s has a great rubber/vinyl/plastic cleaner that can undo any wax on plastic I've used. As for wash/prep, What takes you so long? I keep my truck exceptionally clean, so cleaning it was more a case of removing previous wax (with Dawn soap and a brush). Dirt was by no means an issue. And, as I've said before, I realize that I've done a few things wrong, that's why I posted in the first place. Also, because of this, I plan on redoing the process (esp. since it's been rainy/muddy here, and will be fpr a few more days) and doing the right # of coats, etc.

Thanks for your input, everyone.

(BTW, a PC will be on the way soon, so hopefully my times will be cut down, and my arms won't kill me anymore.)

 

I disagree with that but, if you're more careful by hand, then maybe you don't need it.

Honestly, I'm better with a machine now than I am by hand when it comes to seals and such. Further, having them taped off really saves me more time... even though there is a time factor involved in applying the tape... Not having to worry about removing the oversmear etc is an important thing for me.

Do it right the first time so that you don't have to 'fix' your screw up... we all screw up but, trying to go this route with the detail typically saves me some time.

RP

 

OK. I'll look into it, but for prob'ly the first (and maybe last) time ever, I disagree with RP. I seem to have short enough times anyway, so if I still remain under 4 hrs, I don't see the need for tape. If I realize an error (or 2 or 3...) on my part, and it ends up taking lots more time, than I'll go ahead and tape. Thanks for all of your input though.

(BTW, since I don't have a PC, I am stuck with hand waxing, so I'll guess that I'm pretty much better at hand waxing than by machine, and being a pianist, my dexterity is good enough for me to only have oversmear once in every 2 or 3 detailing jobs)...just a thought