dmoore

I want to claybar my car but I am not sure if I should. I have read so many positives on the claybar but recently have been told some horror stories about claybar usage! Please help me out with whatever advice and stories you can share. Thanks for the help!

JoshVette

Get a mild clay. Some of the more abrasive clays can leave marring, but it can come out with a quick buffing with the PC and a paint cleaner or an AIO product in my experiences.

Just don't rub with a lot of pressure and don't rub in the same spot too much, this can all lead to marring.

Josh

dmoore

If you end up with "marring" how is that repaired? New paint or can buffing take that out?

JoshVette

Buffing can take it out, you could probably even get it out by hand.

If you clay it correctly you shouldn't get too much marring if any at all.

What color is your car??

Josh

dmoore

Car is a 2000 the dark blue, not sure of what the exact name of the dark blue is. The paint is in very good condition, the previous owner took excellent care of the car and always kept it waxed. There are a few nicks in the paint from stones etc hitting the paint.

gasboy

i have used zaino clay a few times.always had good results.really makes the paint smooth.no marring or scratching.

steve8

A pc7424 is a very user friendly tool and something you should have. I would get one first and plan on polishing after claying.

capevettes

Whichever clay you choose to use I believe the key to not causing any marring is to KEEP IT WELL LUBRICATED and use light pressure. Let it glide over the surface. The Mother's kit which is available in most local auto stores comes with a spray detailer/lubricant. I have used almost 2/3 of a bottle of this on one car just to make sure it stays lubricated. Small price to pay for not causing any damage.

daddoe

I like this write up on Autopia that discusses the use of clay. Maybe it will help you make an informed decision.
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html

dmoore

That is the kit I just bought at Autozone! I hope it works.

BaBa Booey

Be Careful Clay bars can do damage. Use a strong halogen light when using the clay bar to see if you're leaving scratches. I did get scratches but only noticed them after I was finished and checked with a light.
People on here will tell you you can't do damage with a clay bar if used correctly...BS. A clay bars is an abrasive, clear coats don't like abrasives.
I'm not saying clay bars shouldn't be used. I'm saying be extremely careful.

Check out bugman's site http://www.bugmanweb.com. He has lots of good info...including how to repair clay bar marring.

dclafleur

I used it on my '85 which already has some paint problems and it really did clean up a lot of issues with it, made it look a lot better.

My girlfriend liked the results a lot and tried it on her black 06 mazda 3 and is amazed, she commented on how she had forgotten how nice her car looked.

If you have a brand new car, and baby the heck out of it, claybarring might not do a lot for you, but if you have one that is driven a lot and has seen some abuse, maybe not washed or waxed as often as it should be, it's worth a shot. That mothers kit is easy to use, and you'll probably go through most of the detailer in it using it as lubricant, but it's worth it imo.

David

bugman

excellent advice.
I really think it should be against the law to sell anyone clay unless he can prove he has buffer experience.

TOGWT

I'm not known as a man of few words so this will be the exception-

Detailer's clay is an abrasive, any abrasive product applied to a paint surface will cause micro marring or scratches (even the softest micro fibre towel will)

cadguymark

that is a great write up, honest and informative

if the fear of God has been put into people about using claybar on their new car, great! not so they won't use it, but so they will educate themselves before using it rather than jumping in with both feet

Justardnck

I purchased the Meguiars kit a few months ago and it was slick as hell, it came with 2 clay bars in a cool storage case (like a travel soap kit), spray detailer for lubrication, a cleaner wax and a very nice micro fiber towel for like $16 at PepBoys

http://www.meguiars.com/?auto-detail...rface-Clay-Kit