I've never used a clay bar before but have always washed,polished and waxed so I decided to have a go.
I purchased a Mequires "Quik Clay" kit and following the instructions did it this afternoon.
I cannot believe the difference, the car looks so much " brighter" the finish has a glass like sheen and the "crap" that came off the paint onto the clay even though I had just washed the car was amazing.
Well pleased with the results and a converted detailer!
Will post some piccys up tomorrow.

Interesting,,, ive only just started looking in this forum and like many just wash ,hose, and chamois with an occasional wax if im in the mood.
It does appear there a lot more to it lol.
Clay bar is to be my first job to clean the paint , will be looking forward to seeing the piccys !!

steve

did mine with help from PCIronmike a few months ago, (clay'd, multi stage clean, polish & wax)
the difference can still be felt on the paintwork now.

you have just taken a step towards either a lovely finish on your motor or a very fed up missus,good luck,it is very satisfying,the former that is.

Wozza I didn't know our cars looked so similar! Mine is the same colour, same wheels and has the sports grill. Mine still has the standard rear fogs though.

I've used a clay bar a few times and the results have been good. Think my IS would benefit from it actually, it spent last week sitting in a body repair shop

Sorry if this seems like nit-picking, but Wozza has got IS250 wheels. Your pic seems to show 11-spoke IS200 alloys ?

Ah I see, it wasn't obvious off those pictures I thought they were the normal 11 spoke off the later models.

18" IS250 Sport wheels, 225/40 Front 255/40 Rear

i gotta get round to claying my GS..

Bought the megs fine clay and also a large bar of the Autosmart Purple clay.. a heavy grit one.. for an initial de-griming and then onto the megs finer clay for a full polish..

I have a 800w car polishing mop... should i use this first or last after a clay? i think i may just leave that till the spring as there is too much **** on the road to see the full benifit of a mop detail

a wash then clay is the first step, then use multi stage cleaner then polish then sealant,
then top off with 2 coats of wax.
I'm sure you could use the polishing mop on the cleaner/polish/seal stages if you changed the head,
but I would personally put the wax on my hand, then maybe the mop again to finish ?

was more thinking of using the mop with an abrasive polish... something like doing a G6 head and G6 compund to cut back and fine finsih with the clay..

But for now i definately think i will just clay then polish and seal..

Moving stuff into my workshop made me realise how much detailing stuff i actualy have!

Wozza..if you dont mind mate, how much for and where from did you get ur wheels? I seen a blue IS200 a while back with 250 wheels on it and I think they suited it really well.

Cheers mate
You can buy them new from a dealer (£1200 apparently )
I bought mine last year from another member, including the OE Dunlops (part worn) they were £350.
I have seen new sets on ebay for between £400-£500 still in their boxes...