Before throwing in the towel on your old paint, there’s an easy and inexpensive solution that can bring back life to your finish.

The first time I ever saw Mequiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit used, I thought it was some sort of trick. When I used its precursor the first time—which was almost 10 years ago—I was amazed that it actually worked. How could a soft piece of clay possibly remove all that rough texture in my paint, while simultaneously giving it a shine like new? In those intervening years of using a Meguiar’s clay bar regularly, I’ve learned that the action is two-fold. You’ve got the polishing effect of a high-quality wax, in conjunction with the clay bar’s ability to protectively latch onto embedded dirt, lifting it right out of your paint without damaging it.

The key to making it work is to nead the claybar into a soft, pliable puck (it starts out a bit hard, and will soften as it warms in your hand with some bending and folding). Provided you’ve washed all loose debris off your car, you’re ready to start in earnest. Spray the Meguiar’s Quick Detailer liberally over a small section of your paint—typically a 1 to 2 foot square area. On this film of detailer, gently swirl the clay over the surface. You’ll be able to feel (and actually hear) the clay bar dig into the dirt at first, then glide over the paint as dirt embeds into the clay. With your bare fingertips, you’ll feel the difference in surface texture immediately. Finish this small area—keeping it wet with detailer—then buff it dry with the Supreme Shine Microfiber towel. Move to the next area, and repeat. You’ll find that it won’t take long to do the entire car, because you don’t need to apply pressure to the claybar. It’s very relaxing in a Zen sort of way.

Why does it work? Today’s paint finishes are never truly ever “dry.” In order to maintain flexibility, and to be able to shrink and stretch with temperature changes, they stay “soft” to some degree. That means dirt and dust actually sticks to your finish, and no amount of cleaners or polishing is going to take it out, short of a cut, and rebuff. The clay bar gets it done without any abrasive action to your clearcoat.

Clay bar tips:

- After every section, nead the claybar so that fresh clay is exposed and the bar stays soft and pliable.

- Keep the surface wet with detailer, so that the claybar does not drag on dry paint

- Don't apply hard pressure to the clay--it doesn't need it!

- Always use a microfiber towel to keep abrasive action at a minimum

For more information, please call Meguiar’s at 800-347-5700, see Meguiar’s at www.meguiars.com or www.carcrazycentral.com, or join their online discussion forum at www.meguiarsonline.com.