I just used the Mother's clay bar system. My M3 looks really nice now that i am finished. I plan to do my 944S next, it is HORRIBLY oxidized and in need of a paint job, but when i tried a spot on it with the clay bar and wax it looked pretty damn good.
Thumbs up for Mother's!
__________________ <img src='http://www.azkphoto.com/choices.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
05 WRX STi
-04 H2
--98 M3-SOLD " I miss you dearly"
---87 Porsche 944S
----94 Toyota 4x4
-----82 Yamaha XJ750 Maxim
I haven't tried a clay bar but as I said in other posts, Gel-gloss (purchased at home Depot or other hardware store) appears to do the same thing. I've used Gel-gloss for over 10 years on 6 different cars and it works great by hand or with a buffer for removing light to medium oxidation or light scratches. It's cheap and easy to use and works fine for clear coats.
Gel-gloss coats the car,like wax. Clay bar actually lifts off oxidation and pollution on car paint to make it feel factory new. AFTER you clay bar, apply your favorite wax treatment (I personally use McGuire's 3-step wax proces)...man does it look great after all that...of course I'm usually too tired from all of the work to appreciate all of the work!
__________________ <span style='color:green'>1994 325i </span>- - - 75,000 mi.
No mods - - - very happy as is!
<span style='color:green'>1995 525i </span>- - - 154,000 mi.
No squeaks or rattles... unreal!
Gel-gloss cleans the paint at the same time same as the clay bar. It'll give you a smooth as glass finish also. You can apply your favorite wax also to give it a deeper shine.
BTW, how much does the Mother's 3 step system cost?
I get it at my local Home Depot. It cost around 6 bucks for a nice sized 16 oz. purple can. I use the paste, not the spray. The spray is good for ultra-fine cleaning and usually doesn't get enough material on the paint.
You can also control the amount of removal by using a damp to very damp cloth and varying the amount of pressure you use. I've used it with a buffer with great results. The total time spent really depends on how much oxidation you have. I use No.7 white polishing compound when the oxidation is heavy (with a buffer or manually).
Be sure to use it in the shade and/or on surfaces not hotter than about upper 70's.
Try it in an inconspicuous place first.
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