Clay Bar Review....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Clay bar is the way to go, but just something I can't push myself to do. I'll do lots of mechanical things to my Vette getting it up on 4 jack stands, getting all greasy, and even interior stuff, just took apart everything required to get into the dash and gauge cluster to install new LED lights, but for clay bar/waxing, shampooing carpets, I've got a guy up the highway who does all my vehicles, and a wonderful job too...... 
Kudos to you guys who handle it yourselves......
Kudos to you guys who handle it yourselves......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
Then he used a Pro (Shop) Clay meant for special cases of removing tough things like overspray, a consumer Clay like Mothers or Meguires will not do that as long as you use plenty of lubricant...either Detailer or Soapy water...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
I've clayed a few times after washing the car before a full rinse, after a quick clay of the upper surfaces then I take the wash mitt to it again...works great in a pinch. I tend to use Meguiar's Gold Wash...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I clay bared my car last night. First time I have clayed it since I got it new 9 years ago.
I got VERY LITTLE of anything off on the clay. The Clay moved across the paint like a frozen hockey puck on ice every section I went to.
My car does not see rain though and is always garaged, so maybe that was why.
Toque
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,428
Likes: 971
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
I use the Meguiar's clay bar kits, they come with the quick detailer spray for lubricant and work pretty well. I'm sure any decent car wash soap and water mixture would work also.
Last edited by djmlax89; May 14, 2013 at 09:22 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 333
From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
In my case James.... Your wrong...
I clay bared my car last night. First time I have clayed it since I got it new 9 years ago.
I got VERY LITTLE of anything off on the clay. The Clay moved across the paint like a frozen hockey puck on ice every section I went to.
My car does not see rain though and is always garaged, so maybe that was why.
Toque
I clay bared my car last night. First time I have clayed it since I got it new 9 years ago.
I got VERY LITTLE of anything off on the clay. The Clay moved across the paint like a frozen hockey puck on ice every section I went to.
My car does not see rain though and is always garaged, so maybe that was why.
Toque
Getting the contaminants off as soon as possible will keep them from 'sticking' and settling into the finish. Getting the bugs off while they're still juicy, rather than letting them dry for a while on the paint, is easier and prevents staining. When I put the Vette away, I start with a quick dustoff with compressed air, and then wipe down with detail spray and two microfibre towels. I may do a touchup with the clay bar here and there but overall the car's finish still stays clean and smooth. I haven't actually washed the car yet. However, I like the idea of claying before rinsing off the soapy water if I ever do wash the car. Yeah, I know - it's a seasonally driven garage queen and I'm pretty **** about it.
As can be expected, my wife's 2011 Honda daily driver loads up a clay bar pretty quickly every time her car gets the treatment. However I feel it's worth it to keep up with it - it takes a full day to clay, polish and seal with a machine polisher.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Mission Viejo CA
I am definitley going to be more careful going forward since learning about the stripes no longer being available.
PS-I did NOT claybar the actual stripes, only the paint. I would recommend not using wax/clay on the stripes, just in case...