The 4-1-1 On Clay Bars...

[ragingfish]

Got an article in my Valvoline "Driving Matters" e-newsletter this month...talks all about clay bars, how they work, what they do, etc.Very interesting, and recommended for those who are considering giving their car a good waxing in the future... "Trick Tool For Paint Preservation" (89k, PDF)

[P POPPR]

Clay bars are great! I've been using Meguiars products for years but had very bad luck with the Meguiars clay bar. Mothers clay bars have worked well.

[ragingfish]

Agreed!I used Mothers Clay Bar kit, and it worked great...only problem with it was that it was too small and after a while my hand cramped up from trying to hold onto it...

[Guy in PHX]

A week after the body shop was done repairing and repainting my collision damaged Vibe, I noticed paint overspray on the roof. It was a large patch, about 18" X 24" I returned to the dealer thinking it would take the better part of the day and probably the use of solvents or heavy buffing. The manager told me they would have it ready in 15 minutes. Within 10 minutes it was ready and it looked great. They said they just used a clay bar on it.

[Stang2Vibe]

quote:Agreed!I used Mothers Clay Bar kit, and it worked great...only problem with it was that it was too small and after a while my hand cramped up from trying to hold onto it...raging---there's really no need to grip the bar very tightly or to push hard on it. You just have to glide it lightly over the surface, really. Since our Vibes are relatively new, the clay bar really shouldn't pick up a whole lot off the surface of the paint. Just use it lightly next time and make sure to keep the surface you are working on wet with the spray detailer so the bar glides easily.I loved using the clay bar the last time I 3-step detailed my Vibe. It probably saved me an hour of strenuous rubbing because the clay bar takes the place of the step 1 product. I used the "Clay Magic" brand of clay bar and it worked quite well. I was more than impressed with the ease of use and the results.

[ragingfish]

I wasn't pushing hard...but it was so small, and I was holding it for a long time, my hand was cramping up...

[dmitri]

baby

[dmitri]

lol im not hating at all but complaining about that is pushing it...

[ragingfish]

If you guys had read the etire thread, you would've seen that I'd washed, clayed, and waxed, all 3 of our cars that day.Hence the reason my hands were cramping up.

[ragingfish]

Just had to clear my name. Yes, is kinda amusing.

[ragingfish]

Stoner products have never let me down!Is this:http://www.moreshine.com/M002kit.htmthe kit you refer to?

[ragingfish]

Never known anyone to be dissatisfied with their stuff.

[tots]

Another question on clay bars - will a clay bar remove any existing wax or polish from the surface? If I use one, should I follow up with polish and wax?

[ragingfish]

Yes, the clay bar will take off the wax. Never clay bar unless you plan to dedicate a day to reglazing and rewaxing the car. But damn is it worth it!

[tots]

Thanks Fish - I plan to spend a good chunk of tomorrow doing just that! Just finished washing it (including engine compartment), so I'll be ready to try the clay in the morning. I snap a few pics when I'm done.