Clay Bar

[Couverman98682]

So I picked up a bar today........ any pointers. I have a black car and want to make it look its best.

[lkwd318ti]

Use a good amount of the lubrication so the bar slides around...
If not, it can cause swirl marks...
Wax your car after you clay bar it too, or else your paint's unprotected...
Hope this helps!

-Randy

[aceyx]

Wash first with dial (anything but lemon) dishwashing soap. Use plenty of detailing spray, and a light touch with the clay bar. Let it slide, instead of scrubbing.

[lkwd318ti]

Dishwashing soap will destroy your paint though won't it?
It'll strip the wax, but along with that, some of the clearcoat will be removed too.
Clay bar will be enough to remove the wax safely.

I just use regular car wash soap :D

-Randy

[aceyx]

Dishwashing soap will destroy your paint though won't it?
It'll strip the wax, but along with that, some of the clearcoat will be removed too.
I think that's why they say to stay away from the Lemon stuff. I've been doing this on my black car for years and it looks decent for a car with 156k on it. Could be wrong, but this is the info I got from people that detail glass with water & newspapers.

[jetblackbimmer]

and the clay bar is used to remove the wax?

[Couverman98682]

I thought the clay was used to remove road grime and stuff to make the paint smooth again.

[m-technik_ti]

Clay bar will strip wax as well as most paint contaminants/paint over spray. Think of it as extremely fine sandpaper for your paint (Don’t worry, its not as scary as it sounds!). It’s great for paint that has been neglected and is rough to the touch, or if you just want to start with a clean slate before waxing/polishing.

Dish soap can safely be used before clay barring. I'd only recommend it if the paint is in rough shape though. Dish soap will help get the real caked on grime off much better than regular car washing liquid. I cant stress enough the importance of making sure that the paint is COMPLETELY clean before clay barring; any debris that get stuck in the clay bar can make a mess of your clearcoat.

When you use the clay bar, first spray on the clay bar lubricant (Meguiars Quick Detailer work really well) and make sure that you apply minimal force to the clay as you glide it along the paint.

[lkwd318ti]

and the clay bar is used to remove the wax?

I thought the clay was used to remove road grime and stuff to make the paint smooth again.

Both of you are right..
The clay bar basically removes EVERYTHING from your clearcoat/paint.
So it's all the embedded dust and dirt and anything else that makes your paint rough if you feel the paint...
But, since it removes all that dirt and stuff, it grabs the wax that's applied onto your paint.
So wax your car after claying haha...

Oh yeah...
Don't drop it either!!!!
That is so important!
If you drop it, you WILL need to get a new clay bar.
When dropped, the clay bar will attract the dirt and rocks from the floor, and if you rub it against your paint, you'll scratch it bad...


-Randy

[jetblackbimmer]

Aiight. Is it a special kind of clay or just regular clay from the crafts store?

[lkwd318ti]

Aiight. Is it a special kind of clay or just regular clay from the crafts store?

It's a special clay bar...
Your local Autozone or Pep boys should have it...
Around $10-$15 depending on the brand...
Honestly though, I just get the cheap one by a company called "Blue Magic".
Their clay bar is blue...and its $10.
If you guys want to get another brand, it's all the same thing. I believe that most, if not all, clay bars by different companies are made from one company. The only difference is the lubrication it comes with.

Oh yeah...you alot of the lube (I said that already I think...)
But if you run out, just make your own lube...
1 oz or car soap for every 15 oz of water :biggrin:

Hope this helps you guys!

-Randy

[marleymon]

Aiight. Is it a special kind of clay or just regular clay from the crafts store?
:chuckel: - good one.

[kelso]

washing with dish soap is not necessary and not safe. its not going to strip the old wax any more than car wash soap will. wash with regular soap and water, the dish soap thing is just bad advice that keeps getting passed on by people who arent even really all that knowledgable... theres no need to strip wax and stuff before claying because clay will do it. the only time you need to do it is before using a sealant. in that case i recommend rubbing alcohol and water.

dont use soap as lubricant because they will usually break down the clay bar and well then you have wasted a clay bar, just use a quick detail spray. ive bought the mothers clay kit and it works great. if you use different clay , youll see they are very different. i got some clay magic and its a much more agressive bar than the mothers, and shortens the time immensely. mothers is a great starter kit though.

clay bar is NOT like wetsanding. clay bar removes contaminents and will not harm your paint. it will only scratch your paint like sandpaper if a contaminated section of clay is rubbed on the paint. sandpaper just scratches away the top layer and makes it feel smooth but usually leaves a swirly surface. clay bar removes the contaminents and will not remove any of the surface of the car itself. it will not leave swirl marks, and will make the surface even smoother IMO. sandpaper can even remove blemishes like bigger scratches. clay does not. it can clean them out making them less noticable but get it under light nad you still have a nice scratch that needs polish.

[stormos]

Meguiars, hands down....

Poorboys do some sweet products too like ssr2

[nigeltee]

Meguiars rocks. Got some spray wax a few weeks ago to keep our ti lookin good and along with all the other meguiars stuff i use, it is great. (wish the applicators didnt stink out the washing machine though, cos i have to wash them by hand now :( (I can get away with the towels though, but i have to rinse the machine through again afterwards)

Nige

[jetblackbimmer]

I got a bottle of the Meguiars quick detailer. I just got it waxed and used some of the quick detailer and it made it shine even more. That stuff is great. Easily gets off bird crap and pollen with ease, as well as leaves a great shine.