Clay bar?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
Clayed the car today
Cloudy and cool ,perfect day for it. Though my paint job is only 5 years old, the clay took out a lot of the contaminents I could not get otherwise. The finish is smooth and glass like. I did the whole car other than the wheels. I took some before and after photos and there is a subtle difference in the pictures. But ,I don't need the photos to see it myself. I have been converted. The clay bar instructions mention the clay can be used for 10-12 applications but I wouldn't use it on the Vette again. I'll do my wifes Maxima then throw it out
It doesn't look or feel like it needs to be waxed but i'll probably wax anyway now that the surface is clean.
Thanks for the tip on this forum.........I had never even heard of the clay bar before.
Cloudy and cool ,perfect day for it. Though my paint job is only 5 years old, the clay took out a lot of the contaminents I could not get otherwise. The finish is smooth and glass like. I did the whole car other than the wheels. I took some before and after photos and there is a subtle difference in the pictures. But ,I don't need the photos to see it myself. I have been converted. The clay bar instructions mention the clay can be used for 10-12 applications but I wouldn't use it on the Vette again. I'll do my wifes Maxima then throw it outIt doesn't look or feel like it needs to be waxed but i'll probably wax anyway now that the surface is clean.
Thanks for the tip on this forum.........I had never even heard of the clay bar before.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
You absolutely should put a wax or polish on your car. The clay bar will remove contaminants from your paint, but your now "contaminant free" paint surface needs protecting.
I prefer Zaino for it's durability, but any good wax/polish will do.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
Spoke with an auto detailer today about using Zymol to wax.He suggested Collinite 915 which is better/cheaper and lasts longer. Being an amatuer "waxer?" I went with his advice ,checked it out on the web after buying it and can only find good things about it. Cost:23.00. Zymol....$71.00 . I'll check back with the results if it ever stops raining enough to get the Vette out of the garage
At this point I'll leave it in the garage until it's a good day. For me it's a weekend car anyway and clean as a whistle right now
At this point I'll leave it in the garage until it's a good day. For me it's a weekend car anyway and clean as a whistle right now
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 736
Likes: 12
From: Brick New Jersey
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Unmodified
I use the clay bar kit from Griot's too (although I use all the other Zanio wax products). It works well. Put on a latex glove on your hand and glide it over the car before and after you clay bar it. You'll notice the glove will catch on the embeded dirt before you clay it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 5
From: Greensburg PA
Zymol is overpriced imo. it really hasn't changed from the original formula, and there are much better alternatives that give good shine.
poorboys Natty is an awesome paste wax, and only $20/tub. Poorboys EX/EX-P is also an excellent choice. For a sealant, can't go wrong with the duragloss lineup
Alsoa good way to tell hoe bad your car needs clayed is to wash it, then put your hand in a plastic bag and feel the paint. It "amplifies" all the embedded grime and dirt.
poorboys Natty is an awesome paste wax, and only $20/tub. Poorboys EX/EX-P is also an excellent choice. For a sealant, can't go wrong with the duragloss lineup
Alsoa good way to tell hoe bad your car needs clayed is to wash it, then put your hand in a plastic bag and feel the paint. It "amplifies" all the embedded grime and dirt.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
My question is, how much of the clear coat are we removing when you use clay? When you polish some of the finish is removed. Does Clay remove more or less than polishing compound? I haven't tried this method as yet, will experiment on my truck first.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Madison WI
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Clayed the car today Cloudy and cool ,perfect day for it. Though my paint job is only 5 years old, the clay took out a lot of the contaminents I could not get otherwise. The finish is smooth and glass like. I did the whole car other than the wheels. I took some before and after photos and there is a subtle difference in the pictures. But ,I don't need the photos to see it myself. I have been converted. The clay bar instructions mention the clay can be used for 10-12 applications but I wouldn't use it on the Vette again. I'll do my wifes Maxima then throw it out
It doesn't look or feel like it needs to be waxed but i'll probably wax anyway now that the surface is clean.
Thanks for the tip on this forum.........I had never even heard of the clay bar before.
Cloudy and cool ,perfect day for it. Though my paint job is only 5 years old, the clay took out a lot of the contaminents I could not get otherwise. The finish is smooth and glass like. I did the whole car other than the wheels. I took some before and after photos and there is a subtle difference in the pictures. But ,I don't need the photos to see it myself. I have been converted. The clay bar instructions mention the clay can be used for 10-12 applications but I wouldn't use it on the Vette again. I'll do my wifes Maxima then throw it outIt doesn't look or feel like it needs to be waxed but i'll probably wax anyway now that the surface is clean.
Thanks for the tip on this forum.........I had never even heard of the clay bar before.
I'm going to try mine in a week or two (time issues)I did wax my wifes Camry last week though so that when I get ready for the vette and my Caddy, she can't scream at me "what about my car"
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
Spoke with an auto detailer today about using Zymol to wax.He suggested Collinite 915 which is better/cheaper and lasts longer. Being an amatuer "waxer?" I went with his advice ,checked it out on the web after buying it and can only find good things about it. Cost:23.00. Zymol....$71.00 . I'll check back with the results if it ever stops raining enough to get the Vette out of the garage At this point I'll leave it in the garage until it's a good day. For me it's a weekend car anyway and clean as a whistle right now
At this point I'll leave it in the garage until it's a good day. For me it's a weekend car anyway and clean as a whistle right now
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Does anyone, other than Griot's, sell just the clay bar? I've seen the Meguiar's kit at Auto Zone, but I already have a large bottle of thier spray on detailer, and don't need any more right now.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 736
Likes: 12
From: Brick New Jersey
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Unmodified
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,109
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I've used both the Meguiars and the Mothers clay bars and both do an amazing job. I think I like the mothers a little better, it seems to be a little more sticky and holds together a little better with use. After washing and claying, the paint is so slick it's like a new piece of glass. I (wax) with an aircraft finishing coating called "Rejex" and it is so shiny and deep it is unreal! It's so slick that nothing will stick to it! The car cover will even slide off if it isn't centered and tied on!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: NY
As far as what clay bar is better....the owner of a detail shop said to me ,all are the same and come from Asia.(I had many questions for him when I got my supplies
) All the clay bars I saw are blue. Maybe some other colors are out there but I didn't see any if it makes any diff. Apparently clay from here is a different consistency and does not remove contaminents and may also be harmful to a car. He seemed knowledgable to me and steered me away from some of the more expensive brands. This is how I ended up with Collinite 915 which I will be using today.
) All the clay bars I saw are blue. Maybe some other colors are out there but I didn't see any if it makes any diff. Apparently clay from here is a different consistency and does not remove contaminents and may also be harmful to a car. He seemed knowledgable to me and steered me away from some of the more expensive brands. This is how I ended up with Collinite 915 which I will be using today.
