Need some Clay Bar tips....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
Need some Clay Bar tips....
So what is the best way to clay bar your car?
I would like to get my C5 clean, I haven't kept up on wax...and I want to clay it before I wax it again.
So what do you do?
Just run the bar over your car with a hose running on it? Or do you soak it in water every now and then?
Those who have done it a few times, what are some good tips you have picked up?
I don't want to ruin my paint job, can you really screw it up with a clay bar, or are they idiot proof?
Thanks.
I would like to get my C5 clean, I haven't kept up on wax...and I want to clay it before I wax it again.
So what do you do?
Just run the bar over your car with a hose running on it? Or do you soak it in water every now and then?
Those who have done it a few times, what are some good tips you have picked up?
I don't want to ruin my paint job, can you really screw it up with a clay bar, or are they idiot proof?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
Likes: 1,822
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Wash the car with dish washing soap to get what wax there is off. Then clay the car in small sections using the lube in the spray bottle you get with it! It's easy really! 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by VETTE2k
So what is the best way to clay bar your car?
So what do you do?...
So what do you do?...
I bought the Mother's kit that includes the claybar. Also includes some Detail wax.
I follow their instructions which says, wash/clean car. Dry car. Spray the detail wax (liquid) in a 2'x2' area. Run clay bar over sprayed area back and forth. Take a soft terrycloth towel and buff it out.
This works well, as you are claybar-ing and putting a little Detail Wax on at the same time. Boy does the surface feel good afterward; unbelieveably smooth.
DON'T DROP YOUR CLAYBAR ON THE GROUND!
That's it!
Good luck!
..rickko..
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Here's a few things = beyond these I'd suggest you take a look in the car care section - it's all about this stuff.
First, was completely. If you want to strip any leftover polish, use Dawn dishwashing detergent in water - otherwise, use a good car care soap.
Then dry car off
Next, using a detailing spray (NXT) or car wash soap in water (Zaino) gently work a small area of the car in a back and forth pattern (others may suggest circular) with the clay bar only putting very light pressure on it, and keeping it well lubricated. You are trying to capture small particles of contaminants lodged in the clear coat, not sand it. Once you do not feel any snags as you go over your small section, move on to the next area. Fold the clay frequently and lube often.
First, was completely. If you want to strip any leftover polish, use Dawn dishwashing detergent in water - otherwise, use a good car care soap.
Then dry car off
Next, using a detailing spray (NXT) or car wash soap in water (Zaino) gently work a small area of the car in a back and forth pattern (others may suggest circular) with the clay bar only putting very light pressure on it, and keeping it well lubricated. You are trying to capture small particles of contaminants lodged in the clear coat, not sand it. Once you do not feel any snags as you go over your small section, move on to the next area. Fold the clay frequently and lube often.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Modesto Ca
Dawn wash, use a spray bottle with car wash soap in it to keep the surface moist and slippery. Rub the clay bar along the surface until it is completely smooth, keep spraying soapy water. I thoroughly clay each section around the car so nothing is missed. Then rewash your car with your fav car wash and polish or wax with your fav product. As long as you stick with the same polish/wax you don't have to dawn wash when you clay anymore. Just if you change from say a wax to a polish.
After you are done shining up your ride have a cold one!
After you are done shining up your ride have a cold one!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Florida
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 2
From: Whidbey Island WA
Originally Posted by Todd@EastCoastCorvettes
check out this informative video on clay bar....
clay bar video
clay bar video
Good vid.... the only thing I do that is different is: I break off a small piece of clay, enough to make a flat silver dollar sized piece to use. Very thin. When one side is dirty, turn it over. When the other side is dirty, throw it away. This way you never have to worry about the contaminants in the clay scratching the clear coat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 939
Likes: 38
From: Riva MD
The Mothers kit is fool proof, especially if you are a first timer (as I was). The results were astonishing; I didn't see much difference visually (quicksilver paint), but the car felt like it was made of glass.
It made me a believer.
It made me a believer.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Modesto Ca
Originally Posted by rickko
DON'T DROP YOUR CLAYBAR ON THE GROUND!
This is important too...If your doing this for the first time, you may want to lay something between your claybar and the ground. Those claybars get real slippery...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by rickko
Everyone probably has their own method but here's what I do.
I bought the Mother's kit that includes the claybar. Also includes some Detail wax.
I follow their instructions which says, wash/clean car. Dry car. Spray the detail wax (liquid) in a 2'x2' area. Run clay bar over sprayed area back and forth. Take a soft terrycloth towel and buff it out.
This works well, as you are claybar-ing and putting a little Detail Wax on at the same time. Boy does the surface feel good afterward; unbelieveably smooth.
DON'T DROP YOUR CLAYBAR ON THE GROUND!
That's it!
Good luck!
..rickko..
I bought the Mother's kit that includes the claybar. Also includes some Detail wax.
I follow their instructions which says, wash/clean car. Dry car. Spray the detail wax (liquid) in a 2'x2' area. Run clay bar over sprayed area back and forth. Take a soft terrycloth towel and buff it out.
This works well, as you are claybar-ing and putting a little Detail Wax on at the same time. Boy does the surface feel good afterward; unbelieveably smooth.
DON'T DROP YOUR CLAYBAR ON THE GROUND!
That's it!
Good luck!
..rickko..
Just keep sparying the clay bar and ensuring that it is nice an wet too! I love clay barring my car at least twice a year. It really cleans the surface!
Have fun and be ready for a solid three hour job!
Micah
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: TX
Maguires gold class soap has a lubricant especially for claybaring your car. I wash it then wet down the area im going to bar with lots of suds and water then go to town. The trick is to keep it well lubricated.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I did mine when I washed my car ... Just used the water as the lub ... came out great IMO.
