Ist attempt with "clay bar"
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 242
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Ist attempt with "clay bar"
Well it rained again last night , so I spent the night with my car and a clay bar , first time doing this , I think a light coloured car won't make that much of a difference! but here are some pics 
]e's the pics!!! Ron
]e's the pics!!! Ron
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,764
Likes: 2,513
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I am totally sold on clay barring. This is the step that prepares the car for the polish. I have many people using the same wax as myself ask why mine is so much more shiney. I think clay bar is the secret. Most folks are nervous to use it but it quite easy. Use plenty of detail spray and simply wipe the surface with the bar. As it gets dirty, fold it over to expose fresh clay bar. Dry with a clean rag. If the bar sticks then you haven't wet the surface enough with the detailer. For the clay bar step I use and inexpensive detailer as it just acts a lubricant. Fi you talk to any detailer these days, they all agree clay barring is a key step and I agree.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 87
From: Houston TX
I did my 2001 C5 once a year and it was my daily driver. I did garage the car and our parking at work is totally covered. So it never really sat out in the harsh sun or elements for extended periods of time. Clay bar'd and then Meguairs NXT... People started asking how was I cleaning my car after switching to NXT polish. I did everything by hand and no buffers. Use good clean soft towels too!
The 72 Nova that I just sold was clay bar'd 3 about 2.5 years ago. I put Meguiars NXT Polish on it and the car was smooth as glass even when I sold it over a month ago. It had base and clear coat... so you could really see a deep shine! It took me 3 days to clean it inside and out for a Hooters Car Show, and it paid off with a People's Choice Award. I barely drove the car so it was easy to keep clean.
The Clay Bar Rocks!!! Take your time and do small areas as you progress over the car. Something like 1 foot to 2 foot square areas.
Mother's Clay Bar works better for me than Meguairs... it just glides easier and feels better on the car. Just my 2cents.
The 72 Nova that I just sold was clay bar'd 3 about 2.5 years ago. I put Meguiars NXT Polish on it and the car was smooth as glass even when I sold it over a month ago. It had base and clear coat... so you could really see a deep shine! It took me 3 days to clean it inside and out for a Hooters Car Show, and it paid off with a People's Choice Award. I barely drove the car so it was easy to keep clean.
The Clay Bar Rocks!!! Take your time and do small areas as you progress over the car. Something like 1 foot to 2 foot square areas.
Mother's Clay Bar works better for me than Meguairs... it just glides easier and feels better on the car. Just my 2cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,764
Likes: 2,513
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Claying a car is awesome.
You can FEEL the difference on your paint even before you put any wax on it.
I was sold when I washed my car, rubbeed my hand over the paint, then clayed a section and rubbed my hand over it.
A world of difference you can feel with your eyes closed.
I use Griot's Clay bar, very happy with it.
My 68 was just painted last year and I have clayed it 2 times since.
You can use it with detail spray or water, but I usually just use water in a spray bottle.
Works GREAT
Kurt
You can FEEL the difference on your paint even before you put any wax on it.
I was sold when I washed my car, rubbeed my hand over the paint, then clayed a section and rubbed my hand over it.
A world of difference you can feel with your eyes closed.
I use Griot's Clay bar, very happy with it.
My 68 was just painted last year and I have clayed it 2 times since.
You can use it with detail spray or water, but I usually just use water in a spray bottle.
Works GREAT
Kurt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
I don't bother with the specialty lubrication. I use the cheapest liquid soap I can find. Mix it in with water. Apply liberally. I do the DDs and the vette one a year. Smooth as my babies butt 
The liquid soap duals as a wax stripper.
The liquid soap duals as a wax stripper.