Clay Bars

[Oldschool]

Any of you ever taken the time to apply a clay bar to your cars paint? I finally did it over the wnter. I have been meaning to do it for a good long while, I just never could quite get around to it. I am here to tell you this, that stuff flat out works. It is sort of a pain to do the entire car, but it was worth it. After I completely went over the car with the clay bar, I followed that up with a nice coat of yellow carnauba wax. I am not sure I have ever felt a paint job that slick. The clay bar removed impurities from the surface of the paint. If you have ever wanted to do it, don't hesitate. It's worth every minute you spend doing it......

[69ChargerRT]

yeah i agree.  clay bars are awesome.  paint comes out silky smooth after a good session

[tommyg29]

definitely agree.
recommended to get impurities that normal washing doesnt remove.
And its not that difficult. Its easier than waxing IMO. Takes less time.

[Oldschool]

definitely agree.
recommended to get impurities that normal washing doesnt remove.
And its not that difficult. Its easier than waxing IMO. Takes less time.

It is easier than waxing. It's just a lot messier with all the water that runs all over everything.   
Cleaning up the drippy mess adds time/labor to the job....   

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Ken, can you stop by and clay NIKKI for me?    Cause I've been meaning too for a good long while myself.        

[Oldschool]

Ken, can you stop by and clay NIKKI for me?    Cause I've been meaning too for a good long while myself.        

Good try Chris....   I'll be heading your way with my play-doh.....     

[MEK-Dangerfield]

They work well, but just do one panel at a time. If it dries out, you get to do it again. Oh joy!   

[4Cruizn]

First time I did it was with a buddy of mine who worked in a detail shop years before and I had never heard of it.  First he grabbed a Cigarette cellophane and told me to put 2 fingers in it and move it over the paint.  The cellophane amplified the feeling of the paint and let me tell you  . . . it didn't feel clean.  After . . . WOW!  It was smooth as silk!  That was enough to impress me.  I have plans to do both cars this spring . . . well if spring ever arrives here in Michigan.  Not bad today but last year at this time, I was wearing shorts! 

[moparmaniac59]

Can you say "elbow grease"  It does do a great job, takes a lot of effort, but gives great results!! 



                                                                            Matt B.

[slsc98]

I am here to tell you this, that stuff flat out works. . . . It's worth every minute you spend doing it......

Yar, I just wish I knew where I could buy just the cla bars themselves, rather than having to buy a small bar in a "kit" that includes detailing liquid I may or may not even need!

Anyone know of a source -- for just top-quality clay bars??

[spamtank]

Yar, I just wish I knew where I could buy just the cla bars themselves, rather than having to buy a small bar in a "kit" that includes detailing liquid I may or may not even need!

Anyone know of a source -- for just top-quality clay bars??

I'm pretty sure I was able to buy just the bars at Pepboys.  Next time I'm there, I'll double check.

[tommyg29]

I buy most of my car care products at griots
They sell 3 different types of clay.

[burdar]

I don't have a nice big shop to work in.  I painted some parts on the other side of the garage but overspray got all over the car.  The paint felt like sand paper.  I'd never used clay before but it was a very short learning process.  A little quick detailer for the liquid and a couple hours with the clay and the car was done.  I accually enjoyed doing it.  Much more fun then waxing. 

[elmoska]

i have already used a clay bar on my daily car. i can tell you that on white car you can pass a lot of hour with this product removing rusty spot cause by brake dust.

i have found another product that work really well i don't know if its available in the us.

it's call final fallout by ultralook

http://www.ultralook.com/nettoyeur.htm

in order you wash the car normally with soap you rince it, then you apply the final fallout and let it do the job for like 5 minutes and rince it back again and almost everything is gonna be gone.

so maybe if you use a clay bar the first time and then this product each week its gonna do the job.and its best to wax the car after because this product and the claybar remove all paint protection

[slsc98]

spam, tommy, elmoska, thanks for the ideas (we will also check the local PepBoys and I am quite curious about this 'final fallout').  The guy I bought my car from had his son clay bar it before he took it to Carlisle last year where we met.  The young man did an incredible job, smooth as silk, front to end and top to bottom.  Then, in I guess November, I had to drive the car to my buddy's shop in the pre-dawn hours and got caught in "non-forecast" downpour.  The rain wasn't so bad but, the "spray" from other cars and trucks completely wiped the previous finish out.  I mean, its sad.  I tried washing and simply JaxDetailing the car before I put her away fro the winter but, well, as most of you know, nothing compares to a clay bar job, done well. The wife and I learned the effectiveness of clay barring on her original '66 GTO, once we got it home in 2010 so, other than finding the time (and quiet spot) to do it right, I have no excuses for "bringing back" my own finish. Thanks to you for starting this thread, Oldschool, I will probably just knock out a panel or two at a time at each car show we go to over the next couple of months (before it gets too hot here in So. MD, that is)!