Bought my first clay bar kit...tips?

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 02:26 PM

Well I just bought my first clay bar kit to see what it can do. I got a meguiars kit that has two clay bars. I should only need one right?

I got some detailing spray from a local place so I suppose this is how it goes?

Wash car very well...
Dry...
Use detail spray on area to be clay barred....
Drag claybar over entire surface of car...?

Any tips and I will appreciate it since I am a newb

**Y2KPewterSS** · 04-25-2009, 02:28 PM

Whatever you do, don't drop the claybar. If you drop it, you might as well trash it.

To perform a before and after test, take a Ziploc baggy and place your hand in it. Run the bag over different areas of the car before and after clay barring. You will feel a significant difference afterward.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 03:07 PM

Yea i've heard that about dropping it..thanks for the tip.

Will try ziplock bag trick.

**Spikito** · 04-25-2009, 03:15 PM

and yeah you will prob need two, thats a new thing, the old kit only had one, and it was pretty funky when i got done.

But plan to spend a whole day, or even two on it. you gotta wash and dry real good, then clay bar, then wash and dry again. your car will be covered in milky gunk afterward. then youll need to wax cuz itll all be gone.

it wouldnt hurt to wash with dawn first to strip off the old wax.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

and yeah you will prob need two, thats a new thing, the old kit only had one, and it was pretty funky when i got done.

But plan to spend a whole day, or even two on it. you gotta wash and dry real good, then clay bar, then wash and dry again. your car will be covered in milky gunk afterward. then youll need to wax cuz itll all be gone.

it wouldnt hurt to wash with dawn first to strip off the old wax.

I was thinking about using dawn, but i still am not sure...what kind of shiny should I expect..i think the paint on my car looks pretty good already.

**SS02** · 04-25-2009, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

and yeah you will prob need two, thats a new thing, the old kit only had one, and it was pretty funky when i got done.

But plan to spend a whole day, or even two on it. you gotta wash and dry real good, then clay bar, then wash and dry again. your car will be covered in milky gunk afterward. then youll need to wax cuz itll all be gone.

it wouldnt hurt to wash with dawn first to strip off the old wax.

Dam my car looks pretty dam good without all that...
I was thinking about doing the clay bar thing b4 the NE gathering, yet that is like alot of work! Is it worth it, sure I never drive it and garage it plus never bad weather. How much better will it look after two days of cleaning, just ruin it in one drive?

That sounds like more then two days of work... with rewaxing and washing twice! I have always wondered, it sounds kinda for show cars, and maybe very part-time drivers like me? Maybe?

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 03:50 PM

You better not try and show up in Fremont with a shinier car than me...shit won't happen!

**Spikito** · 04-25-2009, 03:53 PM

well the purpose of the clay bar is to take a layer of clear coat off. its almost like wetsanding again.

my car for example had bug guts splattered all over the front bumper before i had it. the acidity made hazy spots in the clear. the clay bar took most of that off, theres also all kinds of chemicals that pit the clear. tree sap and road tar also make tiny bumps that you might not be able to see, most of this sticks in the clar.

its also really good for stripping all the wax off to start fresh.

**SS02** · 04-25-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

You better not try and show up in Fremont with a shinier car than me...shit won't happen!

Let me know how the clay bar thing goes down, when U do it!

Mine will just be a good wash... maybe alittle more! I am not the kinda
of guy that has ever armored his tires... I have no tralier and will drive
it there! I will not do much cleaning on it there... I will be there to hang
out and maybe go disturb some peace. Well, to also eat and drink dammit

THIS IS A GATHERING (ATLEAST FOR ME) NOT A CAR SHOW!
And yes I baby my car, mostly!!!!!!!!!!!!! So do not get the wrong ideal!

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 04:10 PM

I like to have a clean car...i know it's not a show lol

**SS02** · 04-25-2009, 04:33 PM

what is the best spray bottle stuff to do a fast touch-up on spots?

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 04:41 PM

I dunno this is the clay bar thread

**SS02** · 04-25-2009, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

I dunno this is the clay bar thread

Ur an @ss! lol

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 04:50 PM

not uh...

i think meguiars makes a good detail spray, i am using a detail spray from a guy that has a company in schuyler

**SS02** · 04-25-2009, 04:54 PM

I take it back? Thanks

That is what I bought before, thought maybe there was btter?

**allbaugh_04** · 04-25-2009, 04:59 PM

I am sure there is, but it's not bad for the price

**1MileCrash** · 04-27-2009, 02:57 PM

when you see that the clay bar has picked up a "fair amount of material" you should either flip over the clay bar or you should fold it over. folding it over (and continuing to do so as you pick up more material from the paint surface) ensures that you trap the particles inside the clay so that they don't end up scratching the paint.

run you fingernails backwards with light pressure over the surface of the car before and after the clay bar. you will notice a significant difference.

**BaltimoreZ28** · 04-30-2009, 12:19 PM

just make sure you use plenty of detail spry so that there is enough lubrication to make sure the clay doesn't end up on the paint.

And claying your car does add a lot to the paint, first off you feel better knowing all that crap is off of your car when your done and the paint feels a lot better to the touch.

**TransAm11973** · 05-01-2009, 08:06 AM

make sure you use lots of lube...and make sure to turn and kneed (spell?) the bar over on it self often so you get a clean clay surface on your paint. You dont want to keep rubbing the shit you just took off your paint all over your car. AND!! Dont press hard!!! The trick to get everything of is to easily go over the paint areas a few times, heavy pressure will not clean better it will just scratch you car more easily and make your arm tired

**allbaugh_04** · 05-01-2009, 08:36 AM

will i need to use both or save one for later....

i was thinking about using one for the hood, the back, roof, and use the other for the lower parts of the car and bumpers...

If it stops raining today, i'll wash it tonight, and clay bar it tomorrow morning, wash it again, and then wax it on sunday.