I clayed for the first time ever a few weeks ago after reading about it on the forum. I was blown away by the smoothness it gives you! It took me a little more than 1 hour though

I didn't wash between the clay and wax cycles though. Is that a normal step in the process? 1st time FL2 owner. 2007 SE i6 in Tambora Flame.

I am so glad i am not the only one, have never ever clay bared a car and i have worn out plenty, only owned the Freelander 2 months and out comes the clay bar. Read a few articles on detailing sites suggesting the protection on new car paint is P ss poor so out with the clay bar then Duragloss paint protection etc etc.
Car detailing is like an occult world, i cannot believe the lengths some people go to for a shiny ride. I draw the line at shiny tyres.

Tea Gardens

Pegleg

Regarding the material on your claybar, do you happen to live next to a nuclear reactor or coal fired power station.
That is a serious amount of contaminants you have removed.
Must say your vehicle paint work looks fantastic.

Not bad Greg, I'm a mine of information on looking after a cars bodywork if ever you need some tips

I clayed my car for the first time yesterday with excellent results.

I had what felt like overspray on my bonnet and that has taken it all off so I'm really happy with it.

I also bought a random orbiter machine and used Menzerna PF2500 and SF4000 polish to take out the swirl marks then I coated it with a good canuba wax The car has never looked so clean.

I also polished the windows and used 303 Aerospace Protectant for the black stuff.

Inside can wait until tomorrow: Vacuum, shampoo using a brush and feed leather seats, polish windows, clean plastics etc etc etc.

Some good "How-To" videos here:
http://howto.carcareproducts.com.au/

djwhyte wrote:

I didn't wash between the clay and wax cycles though. Is that a normal step in the process?

Claying can mar the paintwork so its normally followed by a quick wash before polishing then waxing. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

i look at the fact your using a lubricant for claying, your dragging tiny particles into the clay, but also the lube must get something in it too even if its just tiny bits of the clay, so you want to polish/wax, then its best to start fresh and clean the car again to leave the fresh clear coat/paint your wanting to polish then wax Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Tea Gardens wrote:

Pegleg

Regarding the material on your claybar, do you happen to live next to a nuclear reactor or coal fired power station.
That is a serious amount of contaminants you have removed.
Must say your vehicle paint work looks fantastic.

Thank you
There are tar spots on the wheels. The council have been repairing the roads after winter. I assume some of it is tar  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Did mine a couple of weeks ago including wax, AG the windows ( PDI kit ) and other bits ( 2 days work ).....

Had to wait until today for it to rain and I have to say the bead porn is worth it

On a side note - for any one looking at doing this I can defo suggest a pair of ladders ( and I'm not short ) to get in to the roof area and give that a good going over.

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Always washed and polished my cars and thought they was clean

Bought this in the week

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...

I shampood, polished & waxed my car over the weekend. I clayed 2 small sections of the bonnet to see the impact.
VISUALLY the clayed areas looked the same as the unclayed areas
PHYSICALLY the clayed areas are noticeably smoother than the unclayed areas
AUDIBLY you can hear the difference between the clayed & unclayed areas when you rub your hand across the bonnet. The clayed areas are silent, whereas rubbing your hand across the unclayed areas you can hear it - a reflection of the less-smooth surface I guess.
Wasn't sure, so I asked SWMNBO to do the same and she agreed that the clayed areas where smooooooooooooth!

So will clay the whole damn thing next wash...

... ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

your be happy with the results
Photos above is a wash and clay, didn't feel I needed to polish it!
I will next time tho
Be in tested to se what it looks like in a weeks time

looking very shiny slaneydore...nice

I've yet to clay my FL2, but was shocked at how much it got off on my old car after I had given it a good wash. FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

After claying, you need to get the polish and wax on the paint pronto as the paint has no protection against the elements.
You will see a big difference once the polish and wax goes on.
Never leave paint just clayed alone. It'll soon oxidise, rust in other words. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

I'll polish it first thing in the morning - never knew that peg leg
Thanks for the tip