Clay and then 3 step treatment - What cloths??

3.0 Lakes Lee · Post by **3.0 Lakes Lee** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 14:29

I plan to detail the z this weekend, Meguiars clay first then the Meguiars 3 step treatment. I dont have an orbital polisher so it will be done by hand.

Any recommendations on what I should use to apply and then remove the 3 step treatments.

Thanks
Lee

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 14:32

I've used the 3 step, I used Meguiars foam pads for application and Microfibre to buff.

pop_sausage · Post by **pop_sausage** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 14:34

foam pads on, microfibre off.

Megs do good foam pads.

I like 2 out of the 3 different types of microfibre that halfords sell in a 3 pack. There's one that just feels 'wrong' for some reason - maybe I'm not using it for the right purpose.

3.0 Lakes Lee · Post by **3.0 Lakes Lee** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 15:38

Meguiars foam pads and microfibre it is then

Thanks

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 15:39

I just use cotton detailing cloths from halfords, not microfibre ones, to apply and then buff off with the Meg's Microfibre cloths. If I'm using a polish that contains a cutting compound (Scratch X or AutoGlym SRP) then I'll bring out a foam applicator.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 15:57

I think the '3 step' recommends Foam pads

danieltharris · Post by **danieltharris** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 16:17

If I did a polish on the car last week, would it be okay to Clay it and do the 3-step also? Or do I need to wait for the polish to be on for longer?? Or use something to remove the coat first?

Thinking I will do the same this weekend you see.

Mouldy · Post by **Mouldy** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 20:56

I use the Meguiars foam pads to apply the 3 stage polish, but have found these http://www.dodojuice-shop.co.uk/?gclid= ... ZwodZBP4OQ for buffing off.

They make every other microfibre cloth seem like sandpaper!!!

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 21:48

Go on then Mouldy, give us a clue which product

Mouldy · Post by **Mouldy** » Tue 28 Apr, 2009 22:53

Oh cock!!!

Should have tried the link to check it worked!

The cloths I use are Dodo Juice Fantastic Fur Microfibre cloths. I got mine off eBay, but I can't find them listed on there at the moment.

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Wed 29 Apr, 2009 00:18

danieltharris wrote:If I did a polish on the car last week, would it be okay to Clay it and do the 3-step also? Or do I need to wait for the polish to be on for longer?? Or use something to remove the coat first?

Thinking I will do the same this weekend you see.

Using clay and then any paint cleaner will remove polish as well as grime, and infact, it is better than most degreasers for removing surface contaminants and layers of wax/polish. Same with cleaner waxes, don't use them after having polished as they clean everything from the surface.

Don't expect the polish to last long without a decent sealant before the wax stage. Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection added in two layers (left to cure for an hour each at minimum) will keep the polish under wraps for a lot longer than the step 3 meg's wax alone (in excess of 2 months between details for me last year). With the coat of EGP providing a hard top layer, step 3 carnauba wax on top of the EGP also gives a surface that grime finds harder to stick, so in effect it's worth making it a 4 step method.

The foam applicator pad/cloth applicator issue is a "tamaito/tomahto" thing IMHO. Whatever you are happy with, as I haven't noticed any difference between the two methods.

Althulas · Post by **Althulas** » Wed 29 Apr, 2009 00:44

Justin, excuse this most likely dumb question but what do you mean by leaving an hour curing time? Is that an application and leave for an hour then buff off, or apply, buff off and then wait an hour before applying the next application?

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Wed 29 Apr, 2009 01:15

Althulas wrote:Is that an application and leave for an hour then buff off?

Exactly that. And it wasn't dumb at all, I should have explained it a bit clearer. Make sure to apply to a cloth first, it has an almost water-like consistency (this time no foam applicators!

), and apply to the paint in thin layers. Apply a too thick an application and you will have a hard time buffing it off. Some users on detailing world suggest three layers, with the third being left to cure for 24 hours for best results but I haven't tried this.

Having applied two layers that have cured sufficiently, you will find it to be almost impossible to remove them using normal pressure with a wash mitt and normal car wash detergent in recommended concentrations. As said above, only a claying session or concentrated degreaser/snowfoam application will remove it safely.

EGP seals well however it doesn't have the dirt repelling action of a wax such as meg's or similar carnauba wax, so follow it up with a layer of wax on top to discourage an early build up of gunk.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Wed 29 Apr, 2009 07:14

Mouldy wrote:Oh cock!!! Should have tried the link to check it worked!

The cloths I use are Dodo Juice Fantastic Fur Microfibre cloths. I got mine off eBay, but I can't find them listed on there at the moment.

"Description
The Softest Buffing Microfibre Ever made. Probably.
A super premium, super soft microfibre buffing cloth from Dodo Juice with micro-suede edging and an extremely dense 525g pile. Claimed to be softer and plusher than the leading ‘shaggy’ microfibres already on the market. So why not have a feel and see for yourself? Possibly the finest way to remove polish or wax residue without the risk of marring.

40cmx40cm cloth"

Drewsif · Post by **Drewsif** » Thu 30 Apr, 2009 07:25

Hi guys,
have been following the thread. Have only had my Silver 2.8 Roadster for a couple of months. I feel the paintwok has, not fafed, but has a kind of dull look to it unless the sun catches it perfectly. Any advice on a good product to wake it up?

Mouldy · Post by **Mouldy** » Thu 30 Apr, 2009 08:33

At the risk of offending some of the forum members, in my opinion, silver is one of the hardest colours to make stand out. In some respects it is a great colour because it doesn't show the dirt as much as a darker colour, but when it has been cleaned and polished, it never seems to show the depth of shine that you will achieve with a darker colour.

If the paintwork feels rough when you rub your hand over it gently after washing, a good going over with a clay bar will be beneficial. Follow that with another wash and then treatment with a good polish.

As you will have read, some people prefer Autoglym and others favour Meguiars. There are other makes of polish, but I would estimate that they are the two that are more frequently the subject of discussion on the forum.

As far as I am concerned, I prefer Meguiars. I use NXT wax on my daily driver and the three stage polish on the Zed. I am sure that others will disagree and give their own recipes for the perfect shine.

As you may have noticed, I too live in Northampton. PM me if you want to have a look at the results that I get with my favoured polishes.