clay bar vs. polishing

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 04:36 PM

was told by a coworker that polishing and using a clay bar are the same thing.
Please enliten me. Because i was going to do both to get ready for a car show. And told him what steps i was going to take like bar, polish, wax. And he replied why are you going to bar and polish its the same thing.

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 06-24-2011, 04:44 PM

Not the same. Clay bar will remove contaminants. Polishing will remove imperfections in the paint.

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ed Blown Vert

Not the same. Clay bar will remove contaminants. Polishing will remove imperfections in the paint.

so clay will remove things like bug particles and stick dirt, and polishing will remove lite scratches?

**JayTA98** · 06-24-2011, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by damianj03

so clay will remove things like bug particles and stick dirt, and polishing will remove lite scratches?

yes, also clay bar removes the wax that protects your car. Meaning you have to apply a wax or polish then wax product after claying. Polishing make the color of your paint richer and it helps to make it glossy, Polishing removes swirl marks if done correctly.

I normally do clay bar, a cleaning product like scratch X(helps with scratches), use a polishing product and then a wax.

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:02 PM

ok so would a car that only gets driven on sunny days and gets driven locally to work or weekends and gets washed regularly like twice a monthneed to be barred or just polished? The car in question is the one in my avatar.

**JayTA98** · 06-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by damianj03

ok so would a car that only gets driven on sunny days and gets driven locally to work or weekends and gets washed regularly like twice a monthneed to be barred or just polished? The car in question is the one in my avatar.

well it depends on the paint. If you wash your car and dry it and you can feel with your fingers stuff on the paint then I will say it needs to be clayed.

It depends on how you want your paint to look. I personally at least clay/polish my car twice a year. I wax it once a month.

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:07 PM

ok just kinda scared to clay for the first time cause i hear that if done wrong i can jack up the paint. But on the other hand i kinda think that doing it and doing it right would be common sense. Kinda like carpentry sounds hard but once you do it its pretty easy.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:11 PM

I would say since you dont drive it much clay only. No need to wear out the clear coat with a buffer and end up in need of a repaint too soon.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by damianj03

ok just kinda scared to clay for the first time cause i hear that if done wrong i can jack up the paint. But on the other hand i kinda think that doing it and doing it right would be common sense. Kinda like carpentry sounds hard but once you do it its pretty easy.

You wont jack the paint unless you use a old clay bar or drop it. Dont press hard on the clay and keep it wet. Much safer than a polish and you will be happy

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by smokestack

I would say since you dont drive it much clay only. No need to wear out the clear coat with a buffer and end up in need of a repaint too soon.

they said earlier that the clay would take off my clear coat. So do you mean polish only. I think i will do clay, polish, wax. Might as well do it all.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:16 PM

No polish strips small layers of clear. Clay bar just pulls off whats stuck in the paint.
Clear i should have said.. Its safe. Keep it wet and go light.

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:20 PM

ok i have some swirls that need taken out. So polish would do the trick with a pad on a drill and then some wax applied with another pad on a dill?

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 06-24-2011, 05:21 PM

If you have never polished with a drill. I wouldn't do it. You can burn the paint. I would get an orbital buffer.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:23 PM

Think i can help ease your mind more. wash your car really well and dry. Clay all the top areas first... Like to the molding on the doors. Then do all thr lower parts last because alot more stuff will be in the paint there.... Hence the scratch warning

And....make sure you fold the clay often.. Try clay and wax first. Then look how the swirls show. Might not notice them after.

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:23 PM

ok and whats that gonna run me. And if i didnt get one and went at it by hand. What is the time and work im looking at.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by damianj03

ok and whats that gonna run me. And if i didnt get one and went at it by hand. What is the time and work im looking at.

I use adams alot. But i think autozone has a maquires kit with 2 clay bars for about 20. And a few hours of your time.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:29 PM

And i wanna see pics of your show car.. Before and after lol

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:30 PM

ok sounds good just want it to look really good for the show since my oldest daughter will be doing it with me. dont see her alot.

**smokestack** · 06-24-2011, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by damianj03

ok sounds good just want it to look really good for the show since my oldest daughter will be doing it with me. dont see her alot.

Aww man thats cool. How old? Mine is 12 and just showing interest..

**damianj03** · 06-24-2011, 05:34 PM

10 she is coming up for 2 weeks from oklahoma. first marriage child and me being in the military dont get alot of time together. Just hope we do well and she has fun with it. Be nice for her to take home a trophy shouldnt be hard since all of the cars are broken into catagories like import, luxury, tuck& suv, and muscle.