AutoGlym

[MR 225]

Definitely clay bar the car. The result is bullsh#t! I couldn't sleep the night before I clayed the car as I was so nervous but there is nothing to it (but hard work).

I have used both Meg's (on the 300c) and Autoglym (on my Valiant show car) and both products are good. I must say though, I was a bit naive in the fact that after reading everything on the Meguiars website, I thought I'd get a lot of swirl marks out. I didn't. I did the 3 step process as well. The car did turn out good though (see attached pics)

[simmo_24]

take the time and get the clay bar. i use to work at autobarn and one thing ill tell you is, certain stores are given very good incentives to push cutomers towards a certain product autoglym was one at the store i worked at. as well as philips lighting. i know where i worked it had the biggest range of megs you would have seen, but we were told to push people towards auto glym took up little shelf space but there was a hell of alot out the back, if you want my opinion have a look into zymol its the shizznit.

[Hemi57]

simmo, I always love inside information mate.

On the Zymol, the sky is the limit on the quality grade of their products and on the pricing too. I picked up a bottle last time I was in the US for US$13.95. I bet that same bottle would conservatively be A$60 up if it was on the shelf here.

[MR 225]

Originally Posted by simmo_24

take the time and get the clay bar. i use to work at autobarn and one thing ill tell you is, certain stores are given very good incentives to push cutomers towards a certain product autoglym was one at the store i worked at. as well as philips lighting. i know where i worked it had the biggest range of megs you would have seen, but we were told to push people towards auto glym took up little shelf space but there was a hell of alot out the back, if you want my opinion have a look into zymol its the shizznit.

Ah, it all makes sense now ! I made 3 trips to my local Repco dealer before claying the car and each time they pushed me to try the Autoglym and YES, the Meguiars section was HUGE and teh Autoglym was 1 shelf!

[Rambit]

Here's a great how to on clay barring your car. Claying won't remove swirls as has been mentioned. It's simply meant to remove surface contaminates, including overspray.

Gary Kouba used to say you can test your paint to see if it needs clay barring by placing your hand in a plastic bag and going over your car's paint. If the bag grabs, you need claying.

Detailing Clay & Pre-wax Cleaning - Autopia Car Detailing Forum

Bernie

[MFoley]

Firstly thanks for the great advice guys.

So an update... Ended up going the Meguirs way on the car

Did the clay, then some ScratchX and the 3 step process. Most ofthe swirls came out and the car looked great took me ages but well worth it.

Was going to take some pics, but was to buggered to do so.

Car got a bit a few hand prnts etc over the next few days so tried using Quik Detailer, but I think I made a mess of it, as just ended up re-doing that section.

Anyway now I'm looking at the best option to use in regards to car wash. I have been using Meguirs Gold Class, but I've noticed it can leave some water spots.

Is there any Meguires car wash product that I should be using? I want to maintain the wax I put on and not have any water spots. I'm thinking the NextGen stuff.

[Rambit]

I prefer sealant over wax cuz it last so much longer. Also, have you considered the Mr. Clean car wash system? I use it ONLY for the filtered water. The soap is crap IMO. After the car is rinced, you go over it with the filtered water. You don't have to hand dry it, but I do anyway. It works like a charm and say goodbye to water spots.

Bernie

[Hemi57]

Bernie, I know all about the MrClean system and products (being a regular visitor to NA) but we don't get them in OZ.

I use Megs NXT Car Wash personally, but I obviously must not be seen to be promoting it .

Get yourself some good quality MF (microfibre) cloths. I am sure you will get better results from your Quik Detailer (trademark of a manufacturer who will remain nameless ).

I also use WWMF (waffle weave MF) to dry the car. These are amazing in their ability to soak up the residual water.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Hemi57

Bernie, I know all about the MrClean system and products (being a regular visitor to NA) but we don't get them in OZ.

I use Megs NXT Car Wash personally, but I obviously must not be seen to be promoting it .

Get yourself some good quality MF (microfibre) cloths. I am sure you will get better results from your Quik Detailer (trademark of a manufacturer who will remain nameless ).

I also use WWMF (waffle weave MF) to dry the car. These are amazing in their ability to soak up the residual water.

That's too bad you can't get the system over there John. I've been toying with the idea of getting an inline system that hooks up to the water supply. The filters for the Mr. Clean are not cheap!

We're getting ready for winter in NA, so it can wait. You guys are heading into spring and detailing is a priority there now. We're wrapping things up for the season. We even had frost in London last night...yuk! Been riding my bike a lot over the last few days and it gets cold fast.

Too bad the guy who bought Gary's business wasn't a supporting vendor here, but I still plan on ordering more stuff next year from them, including more MF towels.

Bernie

[MR 225]

I used a Meg's Carnuba Sealant after I clayed, then polished the car and cleaning it is a breeze. I use Meg products for just about everything but for car wash, I just used a Kitten's product and it's fine.