This is a good kit, but having experienced clay bars in the past, I have to say this product is dissapointing. The clay is Very mild. Too gentle to really do the work I needed out of it. It DOES clean well, and for the average guy I'd say this is fine. But I rely on clay to remove serious contamination, and this doesn't cut it.
Another qualm: it tends to "stick" more so than some other clays. Usually this happens if the paint surface is hot, there isn't enough lubrication, the bar is saturated with lube, or you use too much pressure, but none of these factors were present. I decided to break out an old bar just to see... and it wasn't me. My old bar worked much better than the Meg's; not only did my old bar (Clay Magic) not have the "sticking" problem, but it also cleaned up that pesky overpray I was after.
So if you are purchasing a clay bar for the first time because you heard it would solve your problems, then this might not be the one for you. But if you are experienced with clay, or otherwise know for a fact that you only want a very mild product, then this is a good bet.
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When I first read about claying your vehicles, several years ago, I was a bit skeptical. It seems strange and like a lot of work for you car, but both impressions were incorrect.After washing your vehicle with a safe wash, Claying your vehicle is the next step and a vital step. Claying removes above surface contaminants on your paint's surface: bits of overspray, tar, etc. and lots of other things you can or more likely can't even see. After washing your car, rub your flat hand across the surface. It won't smooth as glass. Furthermore, listen! You'll hear your hand going back and forth over the surface as it rubs against the contaminants. This is a car that needs to be clayed and just about any car if it has never been clayed needs to be clayed. Even a brand new car on the lot often has contaminants. Furthermore, once clayed, it's usually recommend to do it again every 3 months to a year, depending on the environment your car is in. Honestly, claying your vehicle doesn't take a particularly long amount of time. I'd say it's possible to do it in just under thirty minutes.
The Smooth Surface Clay Kit from the wonderful folks at Meguiar's is the perfect kit to clay your vehicle. Again, after washing your vehicle, spray an area with the Quick Detailer, and then use the clay bar across the surface. You can search Youtube for Meguiar's Clay kit, to see demonstrations from users, but it isn't hard to do. Do a thorough job on your vehicle, and the way your hand then moves across the surface will impress you. I'm amazed every time.
After claying, you have several options. The clay kit includes a sample of cleaner wax, and you can certainly use that. It has some mild cleaners and some protection. However, if you use a cleaner wax, I'd recommend waxing the car more often as it isn't quite as durable as dedicated separate products. Once a month for example with the cleaner wax, would be good. Or, you could use the cleaner wax for its mild below surface cleaning properties followed by a more robust wax product such as Meguiar's Gold Class or NXT 2.0, and then you could potentially be set for a few months.
If you want to do even more after claying, you can use a paint cleaner from Meguiar's for below surface contaminants right after claying, and then optionally a Pure Polish after that. You'd top all that off with a wax such as Meguiar's Gold Class, or Meguiar's NXT 2.0.
Furthermore, pick up more of the Quick Detailer, and you can use it to remove light dust and contaminants to your paint on a regular basis, and you can actually find you won't have to wash your vehicle as often.
Whatever you choose, regular maintenance of your car's finish will keep you smiling for years to come. Meguiar's clay kit is a great way to start because not only does it make your finish smooth as glass, but it allows whatever wax you apply to adhere more evenly and properly to the surface, providing a better shine and longer lasting protection.
A great product. Highly recommended.
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I've always thought highly of Meguiars products. The professional line has been especially good. In recent years they've brought items that were often only used professionally and introduced them to the larger enthusiast market. This is an example of a product that was until relatively recently avaialable only to the pros. The clay kit is well thought out and does an excellent job even to those unfamiliar with the use of clay. The kit is essentially self contained as it contains the clay, the high lube detailer and a microfiber towel (a bonus is the sample bottle of cleaner / wax).To appreciate the benefit you're getting, you'll really want to try the Meguiars recommended test: run your hand over the surface after it's washed and dried. Feel how relatively rough it is, then use the clay. The difference will amaze you! Great stuff...enough said.
Honest reviews on Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit
It's a good kit: comes with two bars, detailing spray (which you'll use as clay lube), supersoft microfiber towel (which you'll use to wipe off said clay lube), and cleaner wax. Going at 16USD, it's a really good deal and you get what you pay for.IMPORTANT: IF A CLAYBAR DROPS ON THE GROUND, DO NOT USE IT ON YOUR CAR right after. Either cut off a good slice of the side that dropped on the ground or, as most people would do: THROW IT AWAY. Also, wash your car, or at least rinse it off, before using a claybar. If there's too much dirt, you might as well render that claybar useless after a swipe or two.
Order of Operations: (Warning, takes a while)
1. Wash car, (Dry if you want to)
2. a. Spray Lube on the claybar,
b. Spray Lube onto an area (I do 1-4sqft)
3. a. With little pressure, glide the clay along the sprayed area, going over it several times until you don't hear (or feel) anything being picked up by the claybar
b. Look at the claybar, if it's getting dirty, fold it over to a new side and use that. If there's a hard chunk of something in it, pinch it out and throw it away.
c. Spray Lube onto the area if you need more (if the claybar starts sticking to it or you notice it's drying before you're done)
4. Wipe the area clean with the microfiber towel
5. Repeat steps 2b-4 until you're done with the car
6. Wax car
Individual Item Notes: You'll probably run out of detailing spray the fastest (depending on the car) and for that, I recommend picking up a bottle of Mequiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer Spray. The cleaner wax it comes with is decent, providing only a moderate shine compared to Mequiar's NXT Tech Wax or Gold Class Wax (I use Black Magic, if you don't mind straying from Mequiar's). The towel is amazingly soft. That's all there is to really say about it. The claybar is mild. Very mild. The pick-up strength is very close to that of Turtle Wax's Ice Liquid Clay Bar Kit, with the latter requiring less effort. Once again, you get what you pay for. If you have time or are willing to put in a little more effort than with a higher-grade claybar, then this'll work for you. Otherwise, I recommend Pinnacle's Ultra Poly Clay Bar (but it goes for 20USD, without any detailing spray), if you're willing to dish out the cash.
In Comparison: the amount of time spent using claybar with this kit vs. Pinnacle's Clay Bar is roughly a 3:1 ratio, depending on how lodged into the surface contaminants are. If you live in a not-so-windy, not-so-dusty, not-so-much-tree-sap area, this'll accommodate your needs just fine. Sad to say, I don't, so I have stick with Pinnacle. If you want another claybar kit in the less-than-20 and mild range, I also recommend Mother's and really recommend the aforementioned Ice Liquid Clay Bar Kit.
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