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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 03:12 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by nmvettec7
Clay barred my C7 right after delivery with only 50 miles.

You don't know how good a clay bar is until you use it.

There is a simple test to see if you need the car clay barred.

Feel the surface of the paint with your hand and fingers. It might feel nice and smooth.

Then get a sandwich baggie (not a heavy duty freezer bag) and put your hand in the thin plastic sandwich baggie, then run your fingers over the paint surface with your fingers inside the baggie.

If the paint surface feels like sandpaper, or gritty, this test will immediately tell you the paint surface is contaminated. The only to remove the hidden grit embedded into the paint surface is to clay bar or nano skin the paint surface.

Like "Glen e" says above, why apply any paint coating, wax, or even products like liquid glass over dirty embedded paint that you can't see.

If you get the grit feel, it is time to start from scratch and clay bar or nano skin then apply your paint sealant, coating, wax, liquid glass or what ever you choose.

Try this simple test that only takes a minute. You might be surprised what you feel.
Just curious if you do the sandwich bag test and the surface feels smooth would you still clay bar.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 03:48 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by dvilin
Just curious if you do the sandwich bag test and the surface feels smooth would you still clay bar.
I wouldn't.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 04:26 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by dvilin
Just curious if you do the sandwich bag test and the surface feels smooth would you still clay bar.
Originally Posted by SMFCPACFP
I wouldn't.
Thank you.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 05:48 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by dvilin
No, I understand the purpose of Clay Bar but have never used it. I find a good wash, polish and wax does it for me. Surface looks good, nice shine sometimes good is good enough.
In the past with my C6 I used Rejex this time around with my C7 I tried the updated Liquid Glass and the results are quite impressive.
Again not discounting the proper prep of the paint surface with Clay Bar just think it is slightly over rated.
I thought the same until I used the clay bar. I was amazed to see how much more came off.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 05:56 PM
  #25  
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I had my car Xpelled as soon as I bought it.No need to clay bar.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 05:58 PM
  #26  
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No. I have read about it here but still don't know what it is.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:01 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by scottsh
Just FYI - I hear the pro detailers have moved to a clay towel or other solution that is easier to handle than clay bar nowadays (if you drop the clay on the ground you have to toss it, a clay towel can be washed) - might be worth pricing those vs clay.
Nanoskin
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:02 PM
  #28  
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Always before applying sealants to a car. It's about as simple as washing it, so dead easy to do. High-tech sealants demand a smooth, clean surface.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:25 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by nmvettec7
Clay barred my C7 right after delivery with only 50 miles.

You don't know how good a clay bar is until you use it.

There is a simple test to see if you need the car clay barred.

Feel the surface of the paint with your hand and fingers. It might feel nice and smooth.

Then get a sandwich baggie (not a heavy duty freezer bag) and put your hand in the thin plastic sandwich baggie, then run your fingers over the paint surface with your fingers inside the baggie.

If the paint surface feels like sandpaper, or gritty, this test will immediately tell you the paint surface is contaminated. The only to remove the hidden grit embedded into the paint surface is to clay bar or nano skin the paint surface.

Like "Glen e" says above, why apply any paint coating, wax, or even products like liquid glass over dirty embedded paint that you can't see.

If you get the grit feel, it is time to start from scratch and clay bar or nano skin then apply your paint sealant, coating, wax, liquid glass or what ever you choose.

Try this simple test that only takes a minute. You might be surprised what you feel.
When I bought my new 2015 Optima (it's my daily driver) I washed and dried it. I felt the surface with my bare hands and it was very smooth. When I did the baggie test the paint surface felt like sandpaper! So I clay barred the entire car when done did the baggie test again, this time the surface was as smooth as a baby's bottom.

When my 2016 C7 is delivered in October I plan to clay bar the car before getting the Clear Bra installed on the front bumper, entire hood, front fenders, rocker panels, mirrors and the door leading edges.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:47 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by dvilin
Just curious if you do the sandwich bag test and the surface feels smooth would you still clay bar.
No need to do it. Complete the test again in 6 months to a year.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:49 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Maxie2U
When I bought my new 2015 Optima (it's my daily driver) I washed and dried it. I felt the surface with my bare hands and it was very smooth. When I did the baggie test the paint surface felt like sandpaper! So I clay barred the entire car when done did the baggie test again, this time the surface was as smooth as a baby's bottom.

When my 2016 C7 is delivered in October I plan to clay bar the car before getting the Clear Bra installed on the front bumper, entire hood, front fenders, rocker panels, mirrors and the door leading edges.
A baby's bottom end result is good, or as slick as ice is good.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by dvilin
Just curious if you do the sandwich bag test and the surface feels smooth would you still clay bar.
Originally Posted by nmvettec7
No need to do it. Complete the test again in 6 months to a year.
Thank you.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 09:49 PM
  #33  
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Been using clay bar on all my cars for years. No problem. It's the right thing to do. And yes, I agree, probably once a year is sufficient.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 11:05 PM
  #34  
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Not so sure about the "smooth baby's bottom" test.
My baby's bottom is pretty hairy........
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 11:10 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by drs
Yes, before the first detail and wax applied.
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Old Sep 8, 2015 | 11:56 PM
  #36  
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Don't use clay bar and try to stay off the paint as much as possible.
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Old Sep 9, 2015 | 12:02 AM
  #37  
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Don't have a C7, but I have used a clay bar on my C5. Once you're finished, it is amazing how smooth and clean the paint surface is.
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