As a starter, clay is meant to remove bonded contaminants thereby giving you an even surface upon which to then polish last but not least wax. You know you car will benefit from claying from this simple test: Wash and dry it entirely then run your dry give the top. Whether it's not smooth as glass there are contaminants boned for the surface who have being removed if you would like high quality results from your detailing project.
Meguiar's C-2000 Professional Detailing Clay is simply fine grit suspended in clay for simplicity of use. Yes, meaning it's like really fine sandpaper. It works by basically shearing from the contaminates from the surface. Mild clay is less gritty than aggressive clay. I typically use aggressive clay for dirty cars (lots of bonded dirt) or about the lower rocker panels on cleaner cars (which are always heavily contaminated here in the Northeast regardless of how often you clean your car).
All clay is actually made by the same companies in Japan because they support the patent (while i understand it). Brands like Megs specify the quality and consistency they need and it is built to their specs. Megs specifies high quality clay (pliable, consistent grit size, etc) and hence their clay is good quality and consistent.
Once you have washed your car completely with a thing that will strip all the wax off, like Dawn (only time you employ something like Dawn is when you might be completely detailing your vehicle). You then discontinue a tiny chunk of clay and flatten it in to a pancake 2-3 inches in diameter. Get a full quality quick detailer, like Megs Quick Detailer, and mist a tiny 12 X 12 area and rub the pancaked clay gently forward and backward within the area several times. If you feel the clay grab, stop and spray more. The idea is to keep the area well lubricated. Then wipe that area with a quality terry or microfiber. Agin rub your fingers over the area. When it is smooth as glass you are able to start working on the subsequent 12 x 12 area, else, wet and repeat. While you try this, you will see the clay become dirty. When that takes place, fold and kneed your pancake exposing fresh clay. Whenever you can't expose anymore fresh clay it's time to discard that piece and break off a brand new fresh piece from the bar.
** IMPORTANT ** if you drop your clay pancake on the floor, dump it and obtain a new piece. Otherwise it's going to pickup dirt in the ground that will then scratch your car by trying to make use of it. So, throw it away! It's contaminated! Although you may are able to see it, it really is. You're hoping to get gone paint defects, not add them. So again, don't try to save it! Chuck it!
That's basically the method that you clay. When you're finished you POLISH (polish is not waxing, it adds no protection. it removes scratches and additional refines the paint to get a top quality reflection) the automobile with a high quality polish like many sold by Megs. Based on your paint's condition you can choose merely a glaze like Megs #7 or if you have light micro scratches and/or swirls to remove a #9 or something like that much more aggressive. In case you are unsure call Megs on their own RX toll free line (it's on all their products) and they'll help you pick notebook computer based on the vehicle and your issues.
After you have polished, you wax. You'll notice that the polish and wax go easier if you have a really clean, smooth (i.e., clayed) surface. You then stand back and enjoy the incredible results.
You will find claying videos on YouTube and i believe on Meg's site. Watch them prior to project. After i do a typical sized sedan, "right" you're talking about anywhere from 4 to 8 hours total. This can be no fast solution approach. We're talking about getting near show-car results even from paint that was not well taken care of. I've done enough of them at this stage to feel confident in making that statement. My 99 indigo blue blazer turns heads because it looks want it just presented from the showroom.
I've used a couple of brands of clay at this time and that I like Meguiar's C-2000 Professional Detailing Clay for it's workability and consistency. I mostly use Megs products depending on numerous years of developed trust in the quality of a few as well as the results I receive from their store. The Amazon cost is hard to beat.