The wonders of clay bars, T-cut and 3 stage Megs stuff

dasmith83 · Nov 22, 2007

Since i bought the lcr i've always been dissapointed with how much the paint had faded and "dirtied"...so I spent hours Clay Barring, T-cutting, Paint cleaning, Polishing and Waxing my boot and rear quarter panel last weekend, and attempted the bonnet today.

This was the 1st time i had used a clay bar and it worked a treat! Good bye tar spots! It makes the paint smoother than glass.

The T-cut i used was the original kind and as the boot had faded the most i started with that...I have to say i could not believe the difference it made! It is a complete restoration!

I've taken a few pics to show the difference on the quarter panel and the bonnet.

Comments/further advice welcome

And before you ask...yes i have finished the bonnet and no it does not have the lighter patchs any more

Willie · Nov 22, 2007

Really good effort mate
I'd be very careful with the T cut though
It is very aggressive and you can take alot of your clear coat off
Make sure you give it plenty wax and i'll still be shining in the summer
BTW clay bars are the dogs

dasmith83 · Nov 22, 2007

Yer i know T-cut is harsh....but i think it's fairly clear the car obviously needed it! lol...i always use too much wax neway, so no probs there

thanks for the comment m8

Dodge85 · Nov 22, 2007

Wow, well impressed with that!

mine has faded really badly, and had always thought there was nothing that could be done about it, bar full re-spray.

will deffo have to give this a go! how long do you reckon you spent per panel?

CupraMVR · Nov 22, 2007

Awesome job there lad.I clay bar mine and it always feels and looks so much better just after a good barring.looks really good now in the pics.
Shows what a bit of elbow grease does on yellow paint.
Only tip i can give is dont clay bar yellow cars in the sun

Because it sends your head and eyes mad.

skahigh · Nov 22, 2007

really good job there mate. only thing i would recommend is putting a good layer of sealant on before you wax, helps to give better paint protection and gives an absolutely amazing shine!

dasmith83 · Nov 22, 2007

where can i get this sealent stuff from? Never heard of this before.

Cheers for the comments guys! I'm glad u can see the improvement!

I reckon i spent about 1.5hrs on the bonnet today....and prob 2hrs on the boot and rear quarter panel. It is going to be a few weeks until i've gone round the whole car, thats for sure!

Willie · Nov 22, 2007

www.polishedbliss.co.uk
If you want the best advise email them at they'll give you the best advise and how to get the best out of the products your using just now
If you've got time click on the guides and prepare to be enlightened

seatcupra · Nov 22, 2007

Good job matey!

Makes it so much easier to wash after using the clay bar too!

skahigh · Nov 22, 2007

i use poorboys ex-p sealant followed by a coat of nattys blue paste wax....amazing shine that comes straight back the next time you wash the car.

dasmith83 · Nov 22, 2007

from what i have just read up on...that poorboys ex-p sealant looks like the best bet to use before applying some carnauba over the op.

think i may be buying some tomorrow

RikH · Nov 23, 2007

very impressive, just make sure you seal it and keep on top of it now and it will be alot easier in the long run.

Leigh15 · Nov 23, 2007

Just be careful mixing synthetic and natural products - you can end up with the products clouding over.

You're ok putting natural waxes over synthetic sealants put not the other way. So, once you've applied the carnauba wax don't be tempted to use the sealant again unless you've stripped all the wax off.

dasmith83 · Nov 23, 2007

Thanks Leigh15...i read something like that on that polishing website above...how would i go about stripping the wax? Would the clay bar be enough? I want to protect the paint as much as i can now its the colour it should be! I just wish the previous owner had given it some more TLC to save me so much elbow grease!

Leigh15 · Nov 23, 2007

clay bar or straight polish will strip the wax back - it's not strictly necessary to use a sealant and a wax. The advantage is that the sealant is a lot more durable than the wax so if you miss waxing the car regularly (likely in the winter), then the sealant is still there to offer protection

Willie · Nov 23, 2007

Clay bar and polish will NOT strip the wax off!!
That is the benifit of the clay bar, its safe to all surfaces
Polish MIGHT take some of the wax off but what you want is something like Autoglym tar and glue remover. This will strip all of the old wax off along with any tar spots to allow you to polish out the surface scratches, clean the paint, apply some of your sealant then apply your wax.
If you want some expert advice why not register onto www.detailingworld.co.uk, this is free and there is a HUGE amount of very very good free advise. Just use the search facility and all your problems will be solved

dainott2105 · Nov 23, 2007

hi folks, when it comes to using the clay bar do you just push it onto the paintwork and then peel it off or do you wipe it at all.
I noticed that i have little bits of tar etc on my paint work the other day and want to get rid of it?
Cheers

Dodge85 · Nov 23, 2007

Well, i have just been out and spent a load of money on the clay kit, 3 stage stuff and a few other pads and cleaning bits... Will give this ago tomorrow, hoping for some good results!

So did you Clay it first, then t-cut, then the 3 stages? bit of a newbie to this sorta thing :shrug:

Cheers

Willie · Nov 23, 2007

Jet wash car throughly
Wash car with wash mit (sponge if you have to)
Dry car
Liberally spray clay lubricant all over the panel your working on (don't scrimp on this)
With clay bar (if is a big bar cut in half) warm and like playdough rub along the panel in straight lines
Fold the clay bar over till you get a clean side and repeat making sure you use loads of lubricant and making sure the bar is soft like playdough or putty (use very hot water in a container to soften this)
If you drop the clay through it away, if you get a stone or hard lump in the bar, through it away
Sorry to repeat but use loads of lubricant, if you don't you will scratch your car. FACT

dasmith83 · Nov 23, 2007

Cheers for the extra tips again guys!

I managed to do the n/s wing and rear door today! The only panel on the n/s left to do is the front door...can you tell??

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The wonders of clay bars, T-cut and 3 stage Megs stuff

dasmith83

Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

Willie

LCR Track car

dasmith83

Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

Dodge85

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CupraMVR

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skahigh

dasmith83

Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

Willie

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seatcupra

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Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

RikH

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dasmith83

Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

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Willie

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Willie

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dasmith83

Formerly "Dave FR PD130"

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