How Long
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
How Long
How long can you use a clay bar. One car, one time, should it be black with dirt/grime. If you can use it more than once what is the best way to store it. I tried the Mothers clay bar kit. It said when yur car feels slick move to the next area. My car felt slick from jump street, could it be that I didn't need to clay bar or did I go over the car too lightly. I still have some swirl marks on the car?
Sorry for all the questions, it's my first time using a clay bar.
One more questions, how do you change the pic on your avatar
Sorry for all the questions, it's my first time using a clay bar.
One more questions, how do you change the pic on your avatar
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
First off, clay bar will have no impact on swirl marks.......other than casuing them if there is dirt in the clay bar
Clay bar will only remove surface contaminants from the paint.
It sounds like you paint was in good shape before you started. I do not use any pressure when moving it across the paint......just lightly hold it against the surface.
I use it until it is slightly dis-coloured or no longer kneads well. How many times/cars that is depends on the condition of the paint when you start. Typically, the paint is pretty good on our cars and I use it 3-5 times, then move on to a new piece.
I store it in a sealable plastic bag (i.e.: sandwich bag) and before putting it in the bag, I VERY liberally spray it and the inside of the bag with a quick detailer (I use Zaino detailer).
Clay bar will only remove surface contaminants from the paint.
It sounds like you paint was in good shape before you started. I do not use any pressure when moving it across the paint......just lightly hold it against the surface.
I use it until it is slightly dis-coloured or no longer kneads well. How many times/cars that is depends on the condition of the paint when you start. Typically, the paint is pretty good on our cars and I use it 3-5 times, then move on to a new piece.
I store it in a sealable plastic bag (i.e.: sandwich bag) and before putting it in the bag, I VERY liberally spray it and the inside of the bag with a quick detailer (I use Zaino detailer).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Depends on how much contaminant is in the clearcoat and what size claybar you're using.
Use it until you can no longer form it and have a clean working area.
Unlike FireRoc I very agressively claybar my car, but I always follow with a polish after, so I'm not concerned with it potentialy inflicting an extra light scratch or anything like that. I scrub the hell out of my car with the clay and work like a demon as fast as possible....then comes the methodical machine polishing
As mentioned, though, clay does nothing for swirls. Even if your car feels smooth, place your hand in a plastic baggie and then run it across the paint on your hood and the rear of your car. These will tend to be the places that need clay the most and the plastic baggie will REALLY let you know if there is a need for it. If you can pass the plastic baggie test you have an incredibly smooth finish.
A car can feel like glass to the touch with a good wax on it, but feel like sandpaper during the plastic baggie test
Use it until you can no longer form it and have a clean working area.
Unlike FireRoc I very agressively claybar my car, but I always follow with a polish after, so I'm not concerned with it potentialy inflicting an extra light scratch or anything like that. I scrub the hell out of my car with the clay and work like a demon as fast as possible....then comes the methodical machine polishing
As mentioned, though, clay does nothing for swirls. Even if your car feels smooth, place your hand in a plastic baggie and then run it across the paint on your hood and the rear of your car. These will tend to be the places that need clay the most and the plastic baggie will REALLY let you know if there is a need for it. If you can pass the plastic baggie test you have an incredibly smooth finish.
A car can feel like glass to the touch with a good wax on it, but feel like sandpaper during the plastic baggie test
