Clay bar on Marilyn?
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 56
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From: BARRINGTON Rhode Island
Clay bar on Marilyn?
Hi all! Almost time to get the '68 out of hibernation. Been looking to get a good coat of wax on her for the start of the new season. Just curious what you all think of clay bar first? Or has anyone actually tried the new Armor All Butter Smooth product featured in the sticky above?
She's Cordovan Maroon so anything shows up.
Thanks for all replies.
From Rhode Island...
She's Cordovan Maroon so anything shows up.
Thanks for all replies.
From Rhode Island...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
How old is your paint, how does it "feel", I don't think any car will pass the plastic bag test. The results will be suttle, if you can't sleep w/ out doing this go for it. Be sure each small section you do is absolutely clean and go slow doing small sections at a time.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Edmonton AB
I used McQuier's clay bar kit on my car and turned out great...really smooth, glass like finish....
Takes a full Sat afternoon. Do a small area at a time and keep the area wet with the supplied spray....P.S. have cold beers handy..
Takes a full Sat afternoon. Do a small area at a time and keep the area wet with the supplied spray....P.S. have cold beers handy..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
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From: Woodinville WA
Put a baggy over your hand and run it across the paint. The baggy will help to amplify any of the grit sitting on top of the paint so can easily feel it.
I would recommend testing the clay you choose on a small area before doing the whole car. Some are more gentle than others on paint. I had to buff out an area after using Sonus clay. Haven't had any trouble with Mothers.
I would recommend testing the clay you choose on a small area before doing the whole car. Some are more gentle than others on paint. I had to buff out an area after using Sonus clay. Haven't had any trouble with Mothers.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Bella Vista AR
It you click on the link under my avatar for my Corvette Photos it will take you to some pictures of my XLR. The first group of pictures are before I used the claybar and the last one labeled auto show was after.
The products I use are Meguiar's. That particular day was an autoshow, so I used their Ultimate Quick Detailer as the lubricant for the clay bar. First time I used it I sat a paper towel on the hood while cleaning the windshield and it slide right off, I was impressed.
Uintah
The products I use are Meguiar's. That particular day was an autoshow, so I used their Ultimate Quick Detailer as the lubricant for the clay bar. First time I used it I sat a paper towel on the hood while cleaning the windshield and it slide right off, I was impressed.
Uintah
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If you think you might need to 'clay' your car....you probably do. Folks that are constantly washing, waxing/polishing, and spraying detailer on their car likely don't need to clay bar the paint. If your car is a daily driver that is out in the 'elements' regularly and just gets a washing every now and then, yes, you need it.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Clay barring will get all of the embedded junk out of the paint and give you a smooth surface ready for polishing and protecting.
Bring it down the Cape and we can do it. I have all the Zaino Clay bars and detailing products
Bring it down the Cape and we can do it. I have all the Zaino Clay bars and detailing products
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Assuming your paint is not oxidized (a sure-fire way of getting a ticket from the Corvette PO-lice!), i.e., in good condition, but never been clay barred, doing so is the basis for getting a really good shine, beit wax or polymer polish you chose.
Zaino after clay baring and applying the polymers...
P.
- Wash the car using Dawn dishwashing liquid to remove the old wax.
- I use either Mothers or Zaino clay bars - Mothers is available at most car parts stores - and keep the surface lubed with a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of Dawn. Work in small areas - about 2-foot squares is plenty - and rub first in small circles and ending with back and forth direction, lengthwise with the car on horizontal surfaces and vertical on the sides (some say). You'll feel the clay dragging at first, but as the crud comes off the paint, suddenly the clay bar will glide smoothly on the surface - then you know that area is clean.
- Wash off the residue and dry the paint. Then apply your favorite wax or polymer, using several very thin coats, according to the directions, depending on what you are coating it with.
Zaino after clay baring and applying the polymers...
P.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
Think you got the idea that claying is a good thing
Some guys will clay their car before laying down another coat of wax. I usually have a routine in the spring of wash, clay, polish, glaze,wax.
There are different degrees of bars as Frogday explained. You dont have to go with all the hype about Zaino, Sonus, Mothers, etc. They are good products but you can get the blue bar (fine) by Clay Magic, the company that held the patent at AZ, Walmart etc. Just keep the area lubed. Make sure the bar is "fine".
Some guys will clay their car before laying down another coat of wax. I usually have a routine in the spring of wash, clay, polish, glaze,wax.
There are different degrees of bars as Frogday explained. You dont have to go with all the hype about Zaino, Sonus, Mothers, etc. They are good products but you can get the blue bar (fine) by Clay Magic, the company that held the patent at AZ, Walmart etc. Just keep the area lubed. Make sure the bar is "fine".
