Clay bar.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
Clay bar.....
OK. Here's my question: I see a lot of people talking about clay bar. I know it's good to do for the paint, but what exactly is it? Is it a real bar of clay? A sponge? Could someone educate me on this? I know it takes the impurities out of the paint and makes it smooth. But what is it made of? And how does it work? Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Anytime you have detailing questions a really good source of info is autogeek.net. 
http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-clay-bar.html
http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-clay-bar.html
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 58
From: AZ
funny
I read this about 5 minutes after I just got done claying my wifes new Equinox. My hands still smell like spray detailer wax.
It is clay, but not in the sense of what you may remember from art class in grade school. It is very malleable (easily reshaped) and will not desintegrate or leave a trail of clay behind. It will remain in its consistency and size through the whole process.
You wipe for a while then fold it in on itself to bury any impurities that it may have gathered from the process. It also never really dries out. If you store it in a cool dry place and come out a couple weeks later, it will still feel the same. Though I would use a new one every time.
Just make sure you use a lot of lubrication to make it glide over the surface. You will feel when it is dry because it will skid on the surface (feels like it is dragging)
I was intimidated the first time I did it. I was afraid of messing up my paint. But afterwards I was never so impressed with such a result from a simple tool.
Youtube has some great videos showing how to use it properly. Also, do not use it on an invisible bra. My installer told me last week that is is bad to do. Did not tell me why, just warned me not to.
Hope this helps. Just go for it. Definitely worth it.
It is clay, but not in the sense of what you may remember from art class in grade school. It is very malleable (easily reshaped) and will not desintegrate or leave a trail of clay behind. It will remain in its consistency and size through the whole process.
You wipe for a while then fold it in on itself to bury any impurities that it may have gathered from the process. It also never really dries out. If you store it in a cool dry place and come out a couple weeks later, it will still feel the same. Though I would use a new one every time.
Just make sure you use a lot of lubrication to make it glide over the surface. You will feel when it is dry because it will skid on the surface (feels like it is dragging)
I was intimidated the first time I did it. I was afraid of messing up my paint. But afterwards I was never so impressed with such a result from a simple tool.
Youtube has some great videos showing how to use it properly. Also, do not use it on an invisible bra. My installer told me last week that is is bad to do. Did not tell me why, just warned me not to.
Hope this helps. Just go for it. Definitely worth it.
Last edited by WEBDZYNER; Feb 11, 2012 at 02:29 PM. Reason: typos
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 58
From: AZ
almost forgot
Wash car with blue dawn dishwashing soap (only the blue) removes all old wax
Clay bar (this will leave spray detailer "clay lube" on car)
Rewash with blue dawn again to remove this detailer wax
Use your favorite wax product on your new perfect paint. (caranuba, mothers, meguairs, rejex, zaino, etc...)
Clay bar (this will leave spray detailer "clay lube" on car)
Rewash with blue dawn again to remove this detailer wax
Use your favorite wax product on your new perfect paint. (caranuba, mothers, meguairs, rejex, zaino, etc...)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
It is a mild abrasive. Anything that removes things off a paint surface is abrasive somewhat. As saplumr said above rub your hand over the paint's surface after you wash it real good. If it is smooth then don't use it. There are different levels of abrasives and this is probably the lowest. I would not use it every year though. I didn't even use it when my 11 GS Vert was brand new.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Quote from Adam's Premium Car Care Products, only stuff I use. Clay Bar & detail spray, Eliminate surface roughness. "To determine if you need clay: put your fingers in a plastic sandwich bag & gently rub fingers over the surface. Rough? Clay it! Smooth? Skip it!
A. Stretch & fold clay several times.
B. Spray a panel with detail spray.
C. Rub clay on finish until smooth.
D. Stretch and fold clay when you see contaminants on the surface.
E. Finish one panel, then the next.
F. Do the bottom of the vehicle last.
G. Clay the glass.
H. Discard clay if dropped onto dirty ground."
As stated in prevoius threads, wash with Dawn blue before and follow with your favorite polish (if needed), then seal with your favorite product. Clay your Vette, you wont be sorry!!!
A. Stretch & fold clay several times.
B. Spray a panel with detail spray.
C. Rub clay on finish until smooth.
D. Stretch and fold clay when you see contaminants on the surface.
E. Finish one panel, then the next.
F. Do the bottom of the vehicle last.
G. Clay the glass.
H. Discard clay if dropped onto dirty ground."
As stated in prevoius threads, wash with Dawn blue before and follow with your favorite polish (if needed), then seal with your favorite product. Clay your Vette, you wont be sorry!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
My car looks shiny and it feels very smooth since I have put so many coats of Nufinish on it. (Yeah, I know, ugh! but I didn't know better at the time.) But, under all of the spotlights in my garage, I can see a lot of very small swirly scratches as you all have mentioned. OK. So, I guess when the snow leaves and it warms up I'll give all of this a try and see what happens. I thank you all very much.....
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
My car looks shiny and it feels very smooth since I have put so many coats of Nufinish on it. (Yeah, I know, ugh! but I didn't know better at the time.) But, under all of the spotlights in my garage, I can see a lot of very small swirly scratches as you all have mentioned. OK. So, I guess when the snow leaves and it warms up I'll give all of this a try and see what happens. I thank you all very much.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 13
From: Laguna Woods, CA
It is a mild abrasive. Anything that removes things off a paint surface is abrasive somewhat. As saplumr said above rub your hand over the paint's surface after you wash it real good. If it is smooth then don't use it. There are different levels of abrasives and this is probably the lowest. I would not use it every year though. I didn't even use it when my 11 GS Vert was brand new.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
Best tip I have is to use Dawn as the lube for the clay. Get the car nice and washed-down with Dawn (takes off all the old dirty wax) then clay it with Dawn as the lube, rinse it really well, dry ... and then apply ReJex (every surface, glass & wheels), wait 24 hours and then another coat of ReJex. Then a week or two later wash it with a mild car wash detergent, and ReJex it again. Repeat at least once a month with the mild wash & ReJex. So much better than the Zanie stuff ... smoother, glossier - and a real protectant. ReJex is not a wax, it's a glossy protective coating. 8 out of 10 vette-doctors recommend and prefer ReJex (yeah, bring it on ignors & haters) ... 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Use 2 buckets with a grit guard in 1, and a nice wool mit, when you wash.
You can clay with a spray detailer or a mixture of car wash soap and water for a cheaper lubricant.
I use Adams polishes and pad system for polishing.
Then Zaino.
After that, I usually hit the hot tub
You can clay with a spray detailer or a mixture of car wash soap and water for a cheaper lubricant.
I use Adams polishes and pad system for polishing.
Then Zaino.
After that, I usually hit the hot tub
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
It is a mild abrasive. Anything that removes things off a paint surface is abrasive somewhat. As saplumr said above rub your hand over the paint's surface after you wash it real good. If it is smooth then don't use it. There are different levels of abrasives and this is probably the lowest. I would not use it every year though. I didn't even use it when my 11 GS Vert was brand new.
wash --- clay --- polish (or paint cleanse) --- protect
My car looks shiny and it feels very smooth since I have put so many coats of Nufinish on it. (Yeah, I know, ugh! but I didn't know better at the time.) But, under all of the spotlights in my garage, I can see a lot of very small swirly scratches as you all have mentioned. OK. So, I guess when the snow leaves and it warms up I'll give all of this a try and see what happens. I thank you all very much.....
If/When you need help reach out to a company you trust and they should be able to help you with the correct choice/choices.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 13
From: Laguna Woods, CA
Indeed anything that rubs against paint or creates a little friction is likely abrasive. Claying is however a valid part of detailing and should be done 1-2 times annually depending on environment.
------------SNIP
There are indeed many different levels of polishes. Often heavy polishes are called compounds. Medium polishes are called swirl removers. And light polishes are called finishing polishes. This is however a generalization as there is no standard in these terms.
------------SNIP
There are indeed many different levels of polishes. Often heavy polishes are called compounds. Medium polishes are called swirl removers. And light polishes are called finishing polishes. This is however a generalization as there is no standard in these terms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Some good advice here. Obviously, you are concerned about your car's finish and shine. The above advice will certainly help to get you to where you want to be. Really the amount of work you put into it will show after you have completed the process.
It is a labor of love my friend....
It is a labor of love my friend....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 1,656
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Some good advice here. Obviously, you are concerned about your car's finish and shine. The above advice will certainly help to get you to where you want to be. Really the amount of work you put into it will show after you have completed the process.
It is a labor of love my friend....
It is a labor of love my friend....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Some good advice here. Obviously, you are concerned about your car's finish and shine. The above advice will certainly help to get you to where you want to be. Really the amount of work you put into it will show after you have completed the process.
It is a labor of love my friend....
It is a labor of love my friend....
