Claybaring Quick reponse please
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
i personally avoid claying or doing ANYTHING over clear coverings. That stuff scratches and mars so easily than a single grain of sand accidently in the clay will put in scratches you will not be able to remove from the clear cover.
realistically, claying shouldn't harm the clearbra at all but since they scratch so easily and scratches can't be removed from them I just don't do anything with clear coverings except simple wash and wipedown, no claying, no polishing, etc
Others may disagree but this is what I came up with from experience
realistically, claying shouldn't harm the clearbra at all but since they scratch so easily and scratches can't be removed from them I just don't do anything with clear coverings except simple wash and wipedown, no claying, no polishing, etc
Others may disagree but this is what I came up with from experience
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 81
From: Milford NH
i personally avoid claying or doing ANYTHING over clear coverings. That stuff scratches and mars so easily thanking a single grain of sand accidently in the clay will put in scratches you will not be able to remove from the clear cover.
realistically, claying shouldn't harm the clearbra at all but since they scratch so easily and scratches can't be removed from them I just don't do anything with clear coverings except simple wash and wipedown, no claying, no polishing, etc
Others may disagree but this is what I came up with from experience
realistically, claying shouldn't harm the clearbra at all but since they scratch so easily and scratches can't be removed from them I just don't do anything with clear coverings except simple wash and wipedown, no claying, no polishing, etc
Others may disagree but this is what I came up with from experience
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
I owned my own detailing company and every car that came in with the clear coverings I did as described above. It should be fine if you want to put wax over the clear but there really is no need. Keep in mind that wax or sealant is designed for protection of PAINT and/or PAINT CLEARCOAT, not for a plastic type coating. I never saw any advantage or benefit to waxing or sealing over on the clear covering plus it just creates more work trying to get the remaining wax or sealant away from the edges of the clear after applying the product.
The clear covering itself is now your paint protective layer rather than a wax but the clear covering itself doesn't require a wax for protection like paint does.
The clear covering itself is now your paint protective layer rather than a wax but the clear covering itself doesn't require a wax for protection like paint does.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I don't clay my clear bra. It cost too much to replace if I mar it up. I just wash it like I do the rest of the car and wax it when I wax the rest of the car.
The whole idea of it is that it will take the beating that the paint would otherwise take up there. With that in mind it's inevitable that there might be a battle scar or two. If it gets real bad it might be time to replace it. I replaced a lower portion of my clear bra once already. If that's the plan then I might try a polish on it before I had it replaced. You'd have nothing to lose.
If you have relatively minor things that you want to take out try a cleaner/wax on the clear bra. That might get it a little better.
I was told by my installer that the 3M product he put on my car can be polished just like the rest of the car, but it just doesn't sit well with me and I would only try it as a last resort.
The whole idea of it is that it will take the beating that the paint would otherwise take up there. With that in mind it's inevitable that there might be a battle scar or two. If it gets real bad it might be time to replace it. I replaced a lower portion of my clear bra once already. If that's the plan then I might try a polish on it before I had it replaced. You'd have nothing to lose.
If you have relatively minor things that you want to take out try a cleaner/wax on the clear bra. That might get it a little better.
I was told by my installer that the 3M product he put on my car can be polished just like the rest of the car, but it just doesn't sit well with me and I would only try it as a last resort.
Last edited by JVM225; Dec 6, 2011 at 01:39 PM.
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I wouldn't clay the clear bra. The only things I use on clear bras are non abrasives like spray detailers (Zaino Z6) or Zaino Clear sealant.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 3
From: Carlisle, Iowa
My installer recommended a liquid wax, which I have done. I realize you don't need it for protection, but I'd like to add a little slickness and shine to the car to match the rest of the car.
I've also wondered about using Plexus (sp?) that I use on headlight and taillight lenses?
I've also wondered about using Plexus (sp?) that I use on headlight and taillight lenses?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
I owned my own detailing company and every car that came in with the clear coverings I did as described above. It should be fine if you want to put wax over the clear but there really is no need. Keep in mind that wax or sealant is designed for protection of PAINT and/or PAINT CLEARCOAT, not for a plastic type coating. I never saw any advantage or benefit to waxing or sealing over on the clear covering plus it just creates more work trying to get the remaining wax or sealant away from the edges of the clear after applying the product.
The clear covering itself is now your paint protective layer rather than a wax but the clear covering itself doesn't require a wax for protection like paint does.
The clear covering itself is now your paint protective layer rather than a wax but the clear covering itself doesn't require a wax for protection like paint does.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
My installer recommended a liquid wax, which I have done. I realize you don't need it for protection, but I'd like to add a little slickness and shine to the car to match the rest of the car.
I've also wondered about using Plexus (sp?) that I use on headlight and taillight lenses?
I've also wondered about using Plexus (sp?) that I use on headlight and taillight lenses?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 3
From: Carlisle, Iowa
