NorCal (Bay Area) OFF-TOPIC Chat Thread

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

First was this claybar

I thought clay bar isn't really meant to take off "spots" but more the invisibly tiny surface contaminants. I usually try to hit any of the spots with quick detailer or bug/tar remover before doing clay bar.

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Second fail of the day was this wheel brush

Yep, bought a couple of "wheel brushes" albeit way cheaper than that, with very little luck. Funny enough, the best one I've used was a toilet cleaning brush I got from the hardward store lol

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Lastly, I used this Chemical Guys wax

Temperature maybe? Part of the reason I like using paste better than the liquid wax

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Oh, I also noticed that my driver's side e-brake cable seems to be getting shredded from rubbing against my wheel. I vaguely remember someone mentioning that you have to "bend a bracket" in order to fix this.

Ewww, sounds serious, probably something I'd take to the dealer to take a look at. Is it because you have after market wheels/wider tires?

[Clipdat]

I had a number of those orange spots, tar/rubber from the road, black grime, etc. Clay has always worked well for me on those types of things, but this one was nearly worthless.

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

I thought clay bar isn't really meant to take off "spots" but more the invisibly tiny surface contaminants. I usually try to hit any of the spots with quick detailer or bug/tar remover before doing clay bar.

Yeah, I'm going to try to find one that looks like a mini microfiber octopus mop (probably shouldn't google image search that) next time I make an order.

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Yep, bought a couple of "wheel brushes" albeit way cheaper than that, with very little luck. Funny enough, the best one I've used was a toilet cleaning brush I got from the hardward store lol

It was about 65 and overcast, I was not in direct sunlight. I've emailed Chemical Guys about my experience, we'll see what they say.

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Temperature maybe? Part of the reason I like using paste better than the liquid wax

Yeah, it's because the wheel is too wide. Did a quick search and noticed a few other people saying they had to bend the bracket in order to get more clearance for the e-brake cable. Will probably have to get it up on Neal's lift to really see what's going on. It looked fairly shredded and destroyed already, so maybe a new cable is also in order.

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Ewww, sounds serious, probably something I'd take to the dealer to take a look at. Is it because you have after market wheels/wider tires?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Sorry to hear about the clay bar. I've always had luck with Meguiar's bars. I actually just used the bar I was going to throw away on my dad's headstone. Really made it slick, but I guess was so used up that it didn't get all the water spots off as I expected. His friend's headstone right next to his felt like sandpaper! My mom was amazed at how shiny it was.

I have better luck apply a thin coat of wax using a foam applicator pad compared to micro fiber. If you apply too much wax, you're going to have a bad time. Lol.

For wheels, I just use a separate micro fiber wash mitt than I do from the body.

[MyRx]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

I spent 3+ hours detailing my car yesterday (pics coming soon) and had some frustrating experiences with a few products which is part of the reason it took so long.

First was this claybar: http://www.autogeek.net/ultra-fine-poly-clay.html

This was the most squishy and soft clay I've ever used. It turned out to be very ineffective at removing contamination because it was not nearly aggressive/abrasive enough. I had to go back and forth over a small spot so many times with a high downward pressure and it still hardly picked up the tougher stains/spots. Pretty worthless for a car like mine that lives outside. I guess this would be good for a car that gets washed/detailed often and lives in a garage? I threw it out after using it.

You are right about the ultra-fine clay, it is NOT aggressive at all for first time clay. It is for in-between claying and/or detailing. It's more psychological than physical as "claying" feels/sounds better than washing/detailing. I have ultra-fine clay I use specifically just for my red wheels (more manageable "squishy" to work in the edges, crevices, lips of the wheels). I also use ultra-fine clay it in the SUV's interior (because it very manageable and the SUV has a lot of laminated interior surfaces). My other 2 bars are more aggressive but not nearly as pliable.

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Sorry to hear about the clay bar. I've always had luck with Meguiar's bars. I actually just used the bar I was going to throw away on my dad's headstone. Really made it slick, but I guess was so used up that it didn't get all the water spots off as I expected. His friend's headstone right next to his felt like sandpaper! My mom was amazed at how shiny it was.

I have better luck apply a thin coat of wax using a foam applicator pad compared to micro fiber. If you apply too much wax, you're going to have a bad time. Lol.

For wheels, I just use a separate micro fiber wash mitt than I do from the body.

Meguiar's bars...yes ftw! It works, goes on sale periodically, and I don't feel bad dropping and throwing away such an inexpensive ideal cleaning tool.

[SmartedPanda]

man I was planning on doing a touch up wash/inbetween wash with ONR+ and some spray wax but now I feel like I should do a full wash this week.

So lazy!

[spike021]

Originally Posted by SmartedPanda

man I was planning on doing a touch up wash/inbetween wash with ONR+ and some spray wax but now I feel like I should do a full wash this week.

So lazy!

I was hoping my wash/wax from last week would carry through till the summer kickoff, but with all the moisture where I've been it's already getting all dirty.

Might do techshine on it but I don't have anywhere to rinse it off first (not near where I usually do my full wash).

[Clipdat]

Nice, I could see how the extra flexibility of the ultra-fine clay would be good for wheels, especially ones with intricate spoke designs.

Check out the response from Autogeek when I sent them my complaints on the clay and wheel brush. Literally dripping with elitism and holier than thou attitude LOL:

"People seem to really love those 2 products a lot. The Speed Master Wheel Brush for instance has many great reviews not only on our website (129 reviews, 4.5 stars) but all over the internet as well. Here’s an alternative type of brush that we carry that you may be interested in that is also extremely popular - http://www.autogeek.net/wheel-woolie...ing-tools.html
Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today. For a more aggressive clay bar, you will risk the chance of marring/scratching the paint as the clay material is more “abrasive”. If you are still interested in a more aggressive clay, you would take a look at this one - http://www.autogeek.net/meprdeclag.html"

Originally Posted by MyRx

You are right about the ultra-fine clay, it is NOT aggressive at all for first time clay. It is for in-between claying and/or detailing. It's more psychological than physical as "claying" feels/sounds better than washing/detailing. I have ultra-fine clay I use specifically just for my red wheels (more manageable "squishy" to work in the edges, crevices, lips of the wheels). I also use ultra-fine clay it in the SUV's interior (because it very manageable and the SUV has a lot of laminated interior surfaces). My other 2 bars are more aggressive but not nearly as pliable.



Meguiar's bars...yes ftw! It works, goes on sale periodically, and I don't feel bad dropping and throwing away such an inexpensive ideal cleaning tool.

[Clipdat]

Definitely do a wash (not just a rinse) first if you're planning to use a liquid polymer wet wax/sealant (Tech Shine) - you'll need the surface of the car to be clean when you're applying it.

Originally Posted by spike021

I was hoping my wash/wax from last week would carry through till the summer kickoff, but with all the moisture where I've been it's already getting all dirty.

Might do techshine on it but I don't have anywhere to rinse it off first (not near where I usually do my full wash).

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Nice, I could see how the extra flexibility of the ultra-fine clay would be good for wheels, especially ones with intricate spoke designs.

Check out the response from Autogeek when I sent them my complaints on the clay and wheel brush. Literally dripping with elitism and holier than thou attitude LOL:

"People seem to really love those 2 products a lot. The Speed Master Wheel Brush for instance has many great reviews not only on our website (129 reviews, 4.5 stars) but all over the internet as well. Here’s an alternative type of brush that we carry that you may be interested in that is also extremely popular - http://www.autogeek.net/wheel-woolie...ing-tools.html
Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today. For a more aggressive clay bar, you will risk the chance of marring/scratching the paint as the clay material is more “abrasive”. If you are still interested in a more aggressive clay, you would take a look at this one - http://www.autogeek.net/meprdeclag.html"

That's a crap response that doesn't even address your concerns about the products.

[Clipdat]

Yeah I don't really care how many positive reviews (some of which may be fake/paid for) a product has. I sent a detailed description of my own negative experience with the product, the other reviews aren't relevant. I guess he is encouraging me to make a one star review to offset some of those "great reviews"?

But what about the clay? Laz, at least we now know that "Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today"!

I like the warning about "marring/scratching" my paint with a more aggressive clay compound, like I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. In reality, I'm more likely to "mar/scratch" my paint with that ultra poly clay due to the intense downward pressure I was having to use, which was at points making my hood flex inward.

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

That's a crap response that doesn't even address your concerns about the products.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by spike021

I was hoping my wash/wax from last week would carry through till the summer kickoff, but with all the moisture where I've been it's already getting all dirty.

Might do techshine on it but I don't have anywhere to rinse it off first (not near where I usually do my full wash).

Seriously, I was so pissed when I woke up to the sound of rain this morning. Spent 3 hrs detailing my car and it freaking rains the next day, I even checked the weather to make sure...and of course no rain for the next 10 days! :mad:

[FirstWinter]

Saw an older gentleman in a S2000 behind me at the light before the freeway ramp today while I was going to work. We both hauled ass through the onramp and exchanged deuces after. Certainly made my day more fun.

[Clipdat]

Few post-detail pics from Monday. Really love having to park in the dirt and weeds after 3+ hours of work!

[Bach415]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Seriously, I was so pissed when I woke up to the sound of rain this morning. Spent 3 hrs detailing my car and it freaking rains the next day, I even checked the weather to make sure...and of course no rain for the next 10 days! :mad:

I know how you feel! I literally finished cleaning my car today with the nice SF weather then it becomes misty and foggy as I finish. Now outside is slightly wet.