Clay Bar ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 588
Likes: 41
From: Ohio
Clay Bar ?
Have a 78 SA that was painted in 1998 and still looks very nice. I was wanting to obtain that shiny "wet" finish when I polish it out soon. I have read that the clay bar is the best first step to do that. However I do not know how the car was painted,with or without clear coat. So i was wondering if anyone has any advice on the use of clay bar as I don't want to ruin the finish.
Lonzoo
Lonzoo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
I've used it on single stage and clear coat with excellent results. Follow the directions and avoid dropping it. If dropped, throw it away and break off a new peice to work with. You'll love the results, especially on a car that has never been clayed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 669
From: Northeast
A clay bar removes contaminants stuck to the surface. Make sure you buy a mild clay bar. AZ sells Clay Magic. No need to go for the hype of other brands. Bar will be blue. You dont want anything agressive and make sure you use a lot of lubricant.
If it drops on the ground, you need to go buy another.
If it drops on the ground, you need to go buy another.
Last edited by BKarol; Dec 14, 2011 at 07:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
No!! Don't get lazy with electrical appliances. Do the job by hand and inch-by-inch wet with a mild or diluted dish detergent soap. Followed by a Zaino or other multi-step treatment. Once done properly it will last for quite some time. This car is driven.
Last edited by Paul L; Dec 14, 2011 at 08:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Here is a how to video, that might help you out, on how to clay bar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 669
From: Northeast
You probably have a clear coat but one way to check is to try some polish and see if you remove paint. It will show on your cloth. Try in a spot that wouldnt be noticeable. If so then you need to proceed with caution.
Using an electrical appliance is not being lazy. Depends on what you are trying to do. Removing swirls, scratches, etc. requires the right tools & products. I use a Porter Cable random orbit #7424 with yellow,orange,white, and black pads. Numerous degrees of polishes depending on the paint correction needed on the car I am detailing.
You didnt mention what kind of orbital you have so I think you should practice on your DD. Some are good for applying waxes and not much more. Use the clay bar, polish by hand , and wax. Should make it shine.
There are numerous detailing forums, and more products out there then you care to know and everyone has their favorites.
good luck.
To clear up a misunderstanding I in no way meant that you can use a clay bar with a PC. Its for polishing & wax.
Using an electrical appliance is not being lazy. Depends on what you are trying to do. Removing swirls, scratches, etc. requires the right tools & products. I use a Porter Cable random orbit #7424 with yellow,orange,white, and black pads. Numerous degrees of polishes depending on the paint correction needed on the car I am detailing.
You didnt mention what kind of orbital you have so I think you should practice on your DD. Some are good for applying waxes and not much more. Use the clay bar, polish by hand , and wax. Should make it shine.
There are numerous detailing forums, and more products out there then you care to know and everyone has their favorites.
good luck.
To clear up a misunderstanding I in no way meant that you can use a clay bar with a PC. Its for polishing & wax.
Last edited by BKarol; Dec 15, 2011 at 10:44 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Meguairs has a clay bar kit you can find at walmart. I have used that for several years and couldn't be happier with the results.
If you never clayed before, its really not that hard; it just sounds complicated and a little out there. "I know, lets rub clay on my car; that will make it look great". I had the same thought process when I first heart about it. Give it shot, you will not be disappointed.
You will have to do it by hand. Once you see the kit you will see there is really no way to use a porter cable or any other buffer.
If you never clayed before, its really not that hard; it just sounds complicated and a little out there. "I know, lets rub clay on my car; that will make it look great". I had the same thought process when I first heart about it. Give it shot, you will not be disappointed.
You will have to do it by hand. Once you see the kit you will see there is really no way to use a porter cable or any other buffer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
All the clay comes from the same quary in Japan so who sells it doesn't matter. I agree with what others have said here; follow instructions and use Zaino or Rejex instead of wax.
Also keep in mind that if you use Zaino or Rejex over wax it will only last as long as the wax lasts. Best thing to do is strip the wax, clay bar and Zaino or Rejex as the last step. The car will wash easier and bugs are easy to get off.
Also keep in mind that if you use Zaino or Rejex over wax it will only last as long as the wax lasts. Best thing to do is strip the wax, clay bar and Zaino or Rejex as the last step. The car will wash easier and bugs are easy to get off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I bought the meguirs kit about 3 months ago but have yet to use it. Now you guys have me motivated to get on it. I think I'm going to practice on my girlfriends Z3 vert.
Jim
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 669
From: Northeast
FYI, a clay bar does not give your car a shine. It might look shiny because you are wiping off the lubricant & dirt with a cloth.
It is one step in the detailing process. You then either polish & wax or after the clay bar just wax.
Clay will "scrub off" wax protection. Some paint sealants are hard enough to withstand being cleaned with clay, but I would not assume the protection is still there.
It is one step in the detailing process. You then either polish & wax or after the clay bar just wax.
Clay will "scrub off" wax protection. Some paint sealants are hard enough to withstand being cleaned with clay, but I would not assume the protection is still there.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Here is what I use after the claybar:
http://www.prowax.com/waxes/W-41_Yellow_Wax_Paste.html
It is pure wax, no cleaner, so the car has to be super clean prior to application. It goes on very easy, dries quick and is easy to buff out.
One clay bar session and one quick coat of W-41 wax gave me these results:
http://www.prowax.com/waxes/W-41_Yellow_Wax_Paste.html
It is pure wax, no cleaner, so the car has to be super clean prior to application. It goes on very easy, dries quick and is easy to buff out.
One clay bar session and one quick coat of W-41 wax gave me these results:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,226
Likes: 669
From: Northeast
Pinnacle makes great products and you can purchase them through a supporting vendor Autogeek.
When it comes to Zymol you need to distinguish which one. The one selling at Target or this one
:
http://www.zymol.com/zymolroyaleglaze44oz.aspx
Meguiar's #26 yellow canauba wax for over the counter is excellent also. I like P21s. There are so many out there.
When it comes to Zymol you need to distinguish which one. The one selling at Target or this one
:http://www.zymol.com/zymolroyaleglaze44oz.aspx
Meguiar's #26 yellow canauba wax for over the counter is excellent also. I like P21s. There are so many out there.