Clay bar?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
Unequivocally yes - it's safe. Be sure to use it with plenty of water to float away dirt particles that aren't trapped in the clay and to lubricate the bar. Clay bar will remove bugs and dirt more easily than anything else I've ever used. Good on glass too! Do sections of the car and dry thoroughly be before moving to another section.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
Good advice. I just finished detailing my son's black Mustang GT. The first thing I did after washing it was the clay bar process using a quick detailer spray, followed by polish & wax. The paint is super slick and looks fantastic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 441
From: Puyallup WA
There is nothing special about the paint on a C5.
Base Coat/Clear coat-clay away. If you like to clay often, Pinnacle makes a less "abrasive" clay for those that "like that freshly clayed feeling."
Base Coat/Clear coat-clay away. If you like to clay often, Pinnacle makes a less "abrasive" clay for those that "like that freshly clayed feeling."
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Joined: Mar 2001
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They are perfectly safe as everyone has said - just follow the directions supplied with the clay bar and the paint will feel incredibly smooth.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Aiken, SC
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 964
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From: Chesapeake Va
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
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From: Helotes TEXAS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Is a clay bar an abrasive method to remove contaminants from the clear coat? If yes, then not for me. There are other methods, albeit more laborious to get the same results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Find a FEEL one that has been clay bar-d and then feel your car... I like the Meguiars kit..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 384
From: Toronto Ontario
Clay bars work great but can finely marr the finish.
When i clayed my black FRC the first week of owning it , it created a lot of fine marks in the clear coat.
There are different grades of clay, from fine to agreesive.
I used meguirs clay, and I found out later its rated to be equivalent to a 3500-4000 Grit sandpaper.
LIke everything else, try it on one area and see how it goes.
When i clayed my black FRC the first week of owning it , it created a lot of fine marks in the clear coat.
There are different grades of clay, from fine to agreesive.
I used meguirs clay, and I found out later its rated to be equivalent to a 3500-4000 Grit sandpaper.
LIke everything else, try it on one area and see how it goes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Griot's clay bar.... and it DOES NOT mar your paints finish.... leaves the surface smooth as silk and ready for polish or wax. 
Clayed and waxed my wife's black C250 Benz last Saturday and the paint looks like glass.
Clayed and waxed my wife's black C250 Benz last Saturday and the paint looks like glass.
Last edited by Sinister-one; Oct 9, 2015 at 11:04 PM.