1st time using clay bar

[Stryke]

Feel free but I sold it to a fellow member here 2 months ago.

[PDXBoxster]

stryke,
sent you a private message.
PDXBosxter

[Ronzi]

Stryke, since you brought up the issue, could you expand a little on your opinion of dish soap as a car wash soap?
I have heard a number of car care products sales people on this topic, and they all throw up their hands in horror at the thought of someone using it to wash their car. However, I sense more than a little bias in this opinion, as why should they say it's ok to use dish soap at $2.29 a bottle when they can sell car soap at $10 a bottle? A matter of self-interest, and self-preservation if you will.
I understand your point about dish soap being a degreaser (it works a heck of a lot better at removing garage grease than hand soap), but if your objective is to remove the wax and start over, is it not just the ticket?

[Stryke]

You can remove the wax in other ways than use a degreaser on your clear coat. Degreasers have agents that can haze or damage clear coats and dish soap should not be used. I personally clay cars then follow with a thin layer of lacquer thinner using a terri applicator and have my guy follow behind with a towel. I don't recommend this in your driveway but this removes all wax and contamination. An "acid bath" as we call it in the industry, or a bottle of white distilled vinegar will also strip the car down to the clear. Then rewash it and start over. Dish soap over a long period of time will not be healthy for your finish!

[scoobyrex27]

This is great info, wish I had it a month ago but now I have put on my wax....

Stryke, would you mind elaborating on the vinegar strip idea. I want to get down to the clear coat so i can clay bar this weekend but don't want to damage anything.

[Stryke]

You can clay right over wax. Besides, if you waxed a month ago you'll need to redo it anyways.

OK look. Go out and wash the entire car with a good car wash soap. I use all Gliptone professional products at my shop but they also have retail products you can buy (www.gliptone.com). They have an awesome soap called wash and glow. It suds up nice and has a chemical that makes the water sheet off the car for easier drying.

After its washed rinse it and don't dry. Wet one panel at a time with the soapy water mitt and clay it. Then rinse the entire car and dry it. Take an applicator and pour vinegar (white distilled) on it and apply it to one panel at a time. Rinse the entire car and wash it again. Your car will be stripped and contamination free at this point.

If you have a dark color or if you see spider webbing or swirls in the cear you can polish it out with a PC or rotary (if you know what you're doing) follow with a glaze and a carnuba wax.

I can elaborate a ton more on different things but this will give you a general idea of what to do each month to keep it looking new.