Claying Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Claying Question
Does using a clay bar on the paint do any damage if done to often?
In other words, would it hurt to clay the car every time you wash it?
Does it remove any wax that is on the finish?
I am using Zaino Z-18 clay and clayed the Corvette today and I really like the smooth finish it leaves but I also don't want to overdo it.
May be a silly question, but thanks for any input or insights.
I never used clay before until today AND I LIKE THE RESULTS.
Kurt
In other words, would it hurt to clay the car every time you wash it?
Does it remove any wax that is on the finish?
I am using Zaino Z-18 clay and clayed the Corvette today and I really like the smooth finish it leaves but I also don't want to overdo it.
May be a silly question, but thanks for any input or insights.
I never used clay before until today AND I LIKE THE RESULTS.
Kurt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
it will remove every trace of wax from your car(and alot of contaminates).
I use it a few times a year....basically whenever I want to strip all the wax and do it again. if you use it all the time, you will of course have to re-wax your car all the time.
I use it a few times a year....basically whenever I want to strip all the wax and do it again. if you use it all the time, you will of course have to re-wax your car all the time.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Thanks Dave.
While I have your attention, and since I can see the shine on your Corvette all the way here in Massachusetts, what do you use on the finish?
My car (68 Coupe) was freshly stripped and painted LeMans blue last year and I have only washed it 2 times as I wanted to let the paint cure. Have not waxed it yet but borrowed a neighbor's Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer today.
Any suggestions?
Kurt
While I have your attention, and since I can see the shine on your Corvette all the way here in Massachusetts, what do you use on the finish?
My car (68 Coupe) was freshly stripped and painted LeMans blue last year and I have only washed it 2 times as I wanted to let the paint cure. Have not waxed it yet but borrowed a neighbor's Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer today.
Any suggestions?
Kurt
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Originally Posted by ksbunting
Thanks Dave.
While I have your attention, and since I can see the shine on your Corvette all the way here in Massachusetts, what do you use on the finish?
My car (68 Coupe) was freshly stripped and painted LeMans blue last year and I have only washed it 2 times as I wanted to let the paint cure. Have not waxed it yet but borrowed a neighbor's Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer today.
Any suggestions?
Kurt
While I have your attention, and since I can see the shine on your Corvette all the way here in Massachusetts, what do you use on the finish?
My car (68 Coupe) was freshly stripped and painted LeMans blue last year and I have only washed it 2 times as I wanted to let the paint cure. Have not waxed it yet but borrowed a neighbor's Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer today.
Any suggestions?
Kurt
If you ever get to the Cape look me up
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: Peoria IL
Hi - thought I would live up to the newbee steriotype and ask the obvious stupid questions - Whats a clay bar , whats it for , do I need one and where can I get it .
I think that has them all covered
thanks
I think that has them all covered
thanks
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,355
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Originally Posted by britvette
Hi - thought I would live up to the newbee steriotype and ask the obvious stupid questions - Whats a clay bar , whats it for , do I need one and where can I get it .
I think that has them all covered
thanks
I think that has them all covered
thanks
You will get a better shine out of your paint by properly preparing the surface. Lots of discussion on this in the Car Care Section
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
Kurt,
I use the zaino line and apply it with a porter cable. when I first bought my PC, i was nervous, but I found the only way you can hurt the paint with a randon orbital is if you throw it at the car. now...I do try to stay away from the sharp edges and do those by hand, but I have yet to do any damage. pc's can do a much better job than by hand....and much faster lol. there are different styles of pads too...orange for cutting to remove swirls and such, black for wax and finishing work etc...
someone asked about rubbing compound...that is different than clay bar. it is an abrasive used to remove swirls and light scratching. I would recommend against rubbing compound found in the local stores on a nice finish and use something like menzerna intensive polish followed with menzerna final polish II or zaino fusion to remove depper blemishes. with mine being black, I err on the side of caution though.
I use the zaino line and apply it with a porter cable. when I first bought my PC, i was nervous, but I found the only way you can hurt the paint with a randon orbital is if you throw it at the car. now...I do try to stay away from the sharp edges and do those by hand, but I have yet to do any damage. pc's can do a much better job than by hand....and much faster lol. there are different styles of pads too...orange for cutting to remove swirls and such, black for wax and finishing work etc...
someone asked about rubbing compound...that is different than clay bar. it is an abrasive used to remove swirls and light scratching. I would recommend against rubbing compound found in the local stores on a nice finish and use something like menzerna intensive polish followed with menzerna final polish II or zaino fusion to remove depper blemishes. with mine being black, I err on the side of caution though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
it claims it is safe on any paint surface. the key is keep the surface lubricated well. I do 2'x2' sections keeping the paint wet with a spray bottle filled with water and some zaino car wash solution. it should glide smoothly over the paint and you apply virtually no pressure....just let it slowly glide across the surface. kneed and shape the claybar every so often to keep a clean contact surface.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by 72350auto
Is rubbing compound just another form of clay bar? Basically looks like mud(clay) and I think does the same thing?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by garage-ghost
No rubbing compound is NOT like clay bar. Rubbing compound is an abrasive and clay is not. Clay will not take out scratches like rubbing compound. It just removes contaminates.
I use a mild clay bar...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Dave,
I am out here in the garage this very moment giving my baby its first wax job since the restoration was finished. Using the Porter Cable and Meguiar's Carnauba Wax (liquid) since that is all I have.
I am going to get the Zaino line as I have heard so much about it. Just wanted to get something on it tonight since the paint was clayed this afternoon and is now "exposed" to the elements. It only leaves the garage when I take my little rides but this Porter Cable thing is AWESOME. I must get one of these for myself. No swirls, just paint smooth as silk.
Happy, Happy Happy
Kurt
I am out here in the garage this very moment giving my baby its first wax job since the restoration was finished. Using the Porter Cable and Meguiar's Carnauba Wax (liquid) since that is all I have.
I am going to get the Zaino line as I have heard so much about it. Just wanted to get something on it tonight since the paint was clayed this afternoon and is now "exposed" to the elements. It only leaves the garage when I take my little rides but this Porter Cable thing is AWESOME. I must get one of these for myself. No swirls, just paint smooth as silk.
Happy, Happy Happy
Kurt
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
[QUOTE=Sacredgrooves]..........and apply it with a porter cable. when I first bought my PC, i was nervous, but I found the only way you can hurt the paint with a randon orbital is if you throw it at the car......
:QUOTE]
i agree the Porter cable is a really nice machine...very user friendly
:QUOTE]
i agree the Porter cable is a really nice machine...very user friendly
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,355
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
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Originally Posted by ksbunting
Capevettes,
I have long admired your collection of toys.
Very nice,
Kurt
I have long admired your collection of toys.
Very nice,
Kurt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Paul,
Tough job but someone has to do it.
Actually, to me that is a wonderful way to spend retirement.
A few more years and I will be there.
Unfortunately the aches and pains in the aging body prevent doing as much as I once did especially in the confines of a C-3, like under the dash or in the rear storage compartment. Just can't twist like a pretzel any more.
Kurt
Tough job but someone has to do it.
Actually, to me that is a wonderful way to spend retirement.
A few more years and I will be there.
Unfortunately the aches and pains in the aging body prevent doing as much as I once did especially in the confines of a C-3, like under the dash or in the rear storage compartment. Just can't twist like a pretzel any more.
Kurt