It occured to me on my way home from church this morning, that I had nothing to do this day and the weather here is perfect 75 degrees and sunny. I thought I'd get that clay bar thing a try. I have never done it before, so I fiigured what the hell. I bought some clay magic and went looking for a wax. After a half hour of trying to recall what I had read about here, I almost bought Zymol, but the directions made it sound tough to remove, and well . . . I'm not the most entergetic person. I bought Meguiars NXT tech wax (another I had seen recommended), it said it was good for fine scratches, which is all I have since my car is a garage queen and gets an old fasion wax job regularly . . . done by a local dealer.

I decided to try it on my TSX, which while newer than my S2000, is a source of my less guilt to me because it is my daily driver and stays dirtier.

After a good wash, yesterday, and a rinse today. I touched up yesterdays cleaning with some water and detailing spray and set of with my clay.

It went on pretty easy, and honestly, I couldn't really tell if it was doing anything, I used the entire bottle of lubricant on this one application. Occasionally I would see dirt on the clay and I would rotate it. I once dropped a piece and I discarded it, as everyone has said. It took a while, but it was easy to do.

I then applied a single coat of the NXT and it was about as easy/hard as any other product to apply, but, as it said, it came off really easy (by hand) with the new microfiber towels I had bought (thanks again for the tip)

Car looks great Plus I did it my self, which is a real step-up for me. I can feel the finish is so much smoother than the S2000, which I haven't done yet. Now I think, I have the courage to try it on my baby.

Couldn't have done it without this forum. I know the new guys ask the same questions over and over, but I appreciate the time everyone spent answering the questions and not just snapping out a "run a search newbie"

Again thanks

 

I clayed the rear bumper of my S2000 today. Having to remove rail dust with clay requires some patiences, for sure...

I noticed a faint line (not sure if it's a scratch) on my bumper after claying. I'm not sure if it was there before, or some dirt got caught under my clay that I didn't notice. I guess I'll have to be *really* careful/patient with the rest of the car.

 

good reports guys!!
sounds like another detail buff in the making billyho96!

and peacelove&s2k- i bet some polish will fix your concern... work it well and then rewax the area that you work.

 

I'm sure you're right about polish. Do you recommend a particular polish? I polished the rear bumper with 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze after claying, but that didn't seem to help (perhaps I needed to rub harder).
I've seen 3M PIII mentioned here (is this short for Perfect-It III rubbing compund?). I've also seen a 3M swirl remover (which I believe is a light polish?) in local stores. But I'm not really sure which would suit me better.
I'd like something that removes swirls too (most of the time, I don't see swirls on my car, but under direct sunlight... ). Oh, and ideally I'd prefer something that's applicable by hand.
Thanks!

 

clay bar is great =oP took out the paint overspray that i had on my car when i bought it. worth every penny =oP smooth as a new car. however i didnt get to wax since it started to rain the next day. i was going to wax with a 3step deep crystal by meguiars. i have pics afters the claybar and ill post when i have time

 

for a faint line, a swirl remover should do the trick... yes, it is a polish.

and with the hand glaze- you gotta work the product until it dusts or almost dusts- by hand you will feel it (really sore). but its o.k. for a small area. if you were going to polish the whole car you would want to use the machine.

for a swirl remover, i use 3m swirl remover for dark cars on mine...
especially cause properautocare uses my car in their ads!!
they also make one for light colored cars like yours-

and actually i have never met a swirl remover that i didnt like- to me its not the product as much as how its used.

 

Thanks!

I've got a bottle of Turtle Wax swirl remover here, but I don't think I'll use it on my S2000.

 

Clay is a wonderful thing...

Did the wife's S2k, my motorcycle, and the Suburban this weekend; Spring cleaning, if you will.

 

Clay Magic is excellent.
I used it on my rear bumper last weekend. Sucks to work in/near a Port, couldn't believe how nasty my rear bumper was. Now smooth as silk. Now to do the rest of the car...

 

I found that after you use clay on your car give your car a wuick wash again and then apply wax. It will go on a little bit easier and has a little bit nicer finished look.