Clay bar?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
I had good luck with the clay bar on my '85, the paint is really bad in spots but it really improved it overall. The best luck I had with it was on my wifes DD, she doesn't wash it as often as she should and it looked better then it did when she first bought it after a good claybar and detail.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
If you do decide to clay it, do it with a traditional clay bar kit and not that ghetto-assed, Turtle Wax Ice Liquid Clay Bar shet.
That stuff's more of a pre-wax conditioner, and won't completely remove tree sap, bird droppings, insects, and other stubborn paint contaminants.
That stuff's more of a pre-wax conditioner, and won't completely remove tree sap, bird droppings, insects, and other stubborn paint contaminants.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
I'll second the vote for Griot's clay bar and their Speed Shine detailer. They have a kit and it even comes with wax. The Griot's clay, compared to everything else on the market, is twice as big. This makes it much easier and faster to work with.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 13,510
Likes: 17
From: Where ever I go... there I am!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I did it at sundown on a summer day - bugs and a big ol' june bug that tried to land on the car actually slide off!!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I used the Meguir's Kit for the first time last fall. I did it to get a good coat of wax on before the winter. I was surprised at how much dirt it removed that washing it will not get. It worked very well.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Apr 14, 2009 at 04:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Yes, twice in two years - great effect, plus its peace of mind knowing that you're laying new wax down on a clean surface.
I doubt there's much difference between brands - clay is clay. Looks like modelling clay
My car is covered with tiny swirl scratches from god knows what from a PO. Clay won't help with that.
You can feel it working with your fingers. The only downside is it makes washing the car a 3hr + affair
I doubt there's much difference between brands - clay is clay. Looks like modelling clay
My car is covered with tiny swirl scratches from god knows what from a PO. Clay won't help with that.
You can feel it working with your fingers. The only downside is it makes washing the car a 3hr + affair
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
You still should clay it, makes a real difference. I bought a bottle of that last year and never used it. I was wondering how well it would work. I used that stuff back in the early 80's I guess it was on my boat. It did a good job.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 732
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I followed a tip from someone and just used car wash soap as the lubricant for claying. I clay the entire car, body, glass, wheels...everything. You'll be amazed a how much junk the clay picks up. I also recently bought the Adams machine polish kit, with the Porter-Cable 7424 polisher. Using the Swirl and Haze remover will take care those issues. There are lots of videos on you-tube that show you how/what to do.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
wash the car, and while it's wet (do this in the shade too), take a milder soap solution (same as you washed your car in) in a spray bottle and just make sure you have the slippery surface from the soapy water to glide it on and work lightly sliding it back and forth. Also knead the piece to turn the collected contaminats inward and then toss it out when it seems to have gather enough junk up. Also work with a small piece so if you drop it, you can toss it out. It's absolutely worth doing, if your cars never been done it will make an amazing difference.