Clay bared and jet sealed.

[Gladiator85]

Clay bars are an abrasive - there are various grades, but they are all abrasive. Some of the detailing forums will have something to say LOL
It's not supposed to be a fix before a final coat.

From one forum -
While the clay bar removes contaminants, it does not remove scratches or imperfections in the paint. Polishing is a separate step that uses abrasive compounds to smooth out the paint's surface.

But I see so many that use it as the final step before something like a ceramic wipe or whatever.

I wasn't doing it for scratches only embedded debris/dirt that made the surface rough. Paint itself is nearly mint condition. Had some sort of over spray from a truck going down the road.

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[Gladiator85]

M

You literally think it’s a premium brand?

I guess so. I get compliments everwhere I go. That's all the proof I need to know it's not too shabby. Had one guy with a Sarge green ask how'd I get it so deep and reflective like glass. I could care less. Sounds like someone is jealous if you ask me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

only embedded debris/dirt that made the surface rough. Paint itself is nearly mint condition. Had some sort of over spray from a truck going down the road.

Yup.

 

[ScottBeach]

Looks great.

 

[NC_Overland]

I had a post deleted saying no politics and I didn’t say one political thing. WTH?

 

[Solar Sparky]

I kept my first Jeep covered with mud. I figured it would possibly block out some of the UV. It didn’t hurt

 

[wchevron]

I always thought it was clay bar, then polish, glaze, wax. Thought the clay bar was to remove contaminents so they didn't get rubbing in when polishing. Either way, looks great. Need to do mine now that spring has arrived.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I always thought it was clay bar, then polish

That's what is talked about in the detailing forums - the clay bar is abrasive, various levels like there are various levels of sandpaper - but the main purpose is to remove contamination from the surface of the paint so it can be polished then sealed.
That's my understanding from digging into the detailing forums, anyway, while trying to decide what to do with mine.
I may see about clay bar for my Eagle, then go from there. Need to make it last even though I'm done with the judged shows with it.

 

[DiehardTory]

Good for you, If you want to test the effectiveness, do a section with clay - then take the clear wrap off a cigarette pack put over your fingers and feel each section; you will be shocked at how rough the not clay section is.. I've clayed my vehicles for over a decade prior to any wax; now I use Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax. After the 1st year usually just wash & re-apply the Meguiar's.

 

[NC_Overland]

I always thought it was clay bar, then polish, glaze, wax. Thought the clay bar was to remove contaminents so they didn't get rubbing in when polishing. Either way, looks great. Need to do mine now that spring has arrived.

That’s correct. Although, contaminants don’t really hurt the paint when polishing. It’s just good to remove them and your paint will look better. I also don’t know what you mean by glazing.

This is clay bar then some light wet sanding, a few different levels of compounds and then polish. I used old school hand applied paste wax over it because I swear it lasts longer than anything I’ve used. I think put spray ceramic on it because it helps to keep dust off of it. I had to do all of that because it’s always loved outside, it’s 5.5 yrs old, I use it as a work truck, and it’s been over three years since it’s had anything more than a wash every few months. That’s about as good as you can make Sting Gray shine. I love the color of my Jeep, but it’s just not that type of a color. Now the Soul Red on the girlfriend’s car is a different story. It’s fun to polish. It glows. Pics don’t do it justice.

 

[Gladiator85]

Here is my 13 . Paint was in pretty bad shape aside from peeling/fading. Did the same treatment on everything except plastics. Did truck bed line the tail light trim pieces.

 

[Uparms]

Great job and a reminder, yearly, that we should all experience doing a clay bar on our vehicles at least once in our life. I still want to try one.

Two things, 1) these modern vehicles sure do have some great factory finishes compared to years ago.

And 2) This post is a great reminder to never pay for them over the top dealer sales pitches for "super, hyper, ultra, zeon, Nano surface treatments". So much can be done by yourself or even a local detailer. IMO.

Great job OP!

 

[Gladiator85]

Thanks. It was funny when I bought my Gladiator the dealer was trying to pass off on me that they had done a ceramic coat on it and were asking an additional 400.00 costs onto me. Knew they were lying because they could not even tell me what they used.

Trick is to get to the sales managers desks and get the deal worked then decline any upsells or add ons you didn't agree too. They didn't like it but I told him guess I'll just go home and think about it. Lord did he get pissed . Had all the paperwork ready to sign.

They will act like the deal is done before you get to the back but I told him never signed a legal binding document agreeing to anything. The final deal happens in the back.

Chicken scratch paper doesn't hold water despite what the salesman will have you believe. They will get pissed but they will also realize you aren't an idoit either.

 

[KevinC]

This is my Dealer Add-ons from my JTM. I refused to pay for any of it and their battle plan was they can't take it off except the lug nuts. I was fixing to walk and they gave in.

I had no idea what Permaplate was and googled it when I got home. Snake Oil for the most part. Funny thing is I had a bottle of Permaplate restorer I bought at a yard sale in my garage. I use it after I wax, and it does seem to provide a slicker finish.

 

[Gladiator85]

This is my Dealer Add-ons from my JTM. I refused to pay for any of it and their battle plan was they can't take it off except the lug nuts. I was fixing to walk and they gave in.

I had no idea what Permaplate was and googled it when I got home. Snake Oil for the most part. Funny thing is I had a bottle of Permaplate restorer I bought at a yard sale in my garage. I use it after I wax, and it does seem to provide a slicker finish.

Yea it's absurd what they try to get by with. I understand things like tint and such if they added it but all the fluff like that and ceramic coating especially when they can't prove it I'm not paying for it. You have to be ruthless with them or you will get had.

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