Hey, i've made a post under the Car Car Forum but haven't got that much feedback. I was just wondering how many of you out there clay bar your cars? I've never done this, usually just was/wax and that's it. I've been to sites that explain how to do it, but i'm just looking for some feedback from you out there who've had experience with claying your cars. Want to make sure i'm doing everything right so not to damage anything. Any advice on how it's done, what steps you use, good products? Thanks....

 

I've used both Mothers and Zaino. Just follow the directions and you can't go wrong. It can be time consuming, just stick with it because the results are well worth it. Be careful not to drop the claybar, if you do just throw it away.

 

Just keep it lubed really well and as stated if you drop it, throw it away.

 

It makes a considerable difference in the smoothness of your paint. I use Griots Garage products. They put out a detailed book on how to use all of their products including the Porter-Cable random orbital.

 

If you don't Clay before you wax IMO your wasting your time, cause there's small oxidation on your paint surface which dulls the paint color coming through the clear, so your just waxing over it and the full effect of your color isn't shining. The brands the other posters mentioned are good, i use this brand : http://www.claymagic.net/

 

 

 

It seems weird or too tekkie until you experience it for yourself. Kneed it like taffy to loosen it up first. Spray some lube (water or quick detailer) on a small area and apply almost no pressure. Just rub it back and forth. Keep it wet and finish a small area. Rub your fingertips over the area you just clayed and one that you haven't. Then you'll know why its recommended.

You can use a spray detailer or water/soap solution (3 drops of dish soap per 8oz water). Kneed and fold the bar to keep the surface fresh. Another tip is layout newsprint around the car to catch the claybar if dropped. If you get dirt on the bar, don't use it. Better to toss that one than scrub your finish with something like sandpaper.

A claybar will remove oxidation, waterspots, glue, droppings, metal fallout, etc. I have a white GM. I started noticing small orange specs in the paint and thought it was tree sap. It turned out to be metal particales that had been put into the air by some smokestack or car exhaust and had settled on the paint. The particles embedded into the paint and rusted. The claybar lifted the metal out. No more orange specs.

Get a couple, but don't unwrap them until you use them. They will dry out. I can keep one I have used in a small ziplock bag, sparying it generously with quickdetailer and squeezing out the air from the bag before sealing it up. One bar should do 2-3 cars before you need to toss it. Keep folding it to keep the surface fresh and clean.

 

What is best to use? Detail spray or a water/soap combo? Also when your rubbing the clay bar into the car on a 2 feet by 2 feet area, is it good to rub in a circular motion or does it matter? Once i've went over the area with the clay bar what next? Spray more detail/or wipe clean with a microfiber towel? Should i clay the entire car before going back and wipping the clay off? Or should i clay a section,wipe it completely off, then go to the next section? And one more ? After i clay the entire car should i was it again before i wax it or just wipe all of the clay off good and then wax? Thanks for the feedback so far!

 

I use a back and forth motion,never a circular one. I use detailing spray and do the entire car, then wash, blow dry and then Zaino or the polish of your choice. I clay mine at least twice a year. the only thing left behind when you clay is the dry lubricant. Really no need to wipe each section...do it in the garage or ana area where it will be in the shade for the whole "experience"

 

Do i just do an area with a couple of swiping motions? Or do i do a section until i see the clay start to dry? Thanks for the info.... Rims and glass as well?

 

This is funny. I just clay'd mine on Saturday. 2nd time since October. I washed the car but didn't dry it. Then I hit it with the clay. Light back and forth motions, the whole car. Took maybe 25 minutes. When I was done, I rinsed the whole car, dried it then applied Zaino polish and then a detail spray. The whole evolution MAYBE toook 90 minutes.

 

I clay bar every car I own!

 

All the above posts have been right-on. I do both of my cars about twice a year, using the detail spray, and it's about a 1 hour job per car each time. Very easy, and very good results.