Clay bar question

[Luis.GT]

Anyone like using a clay bar ? Pics and advice?

 

[Schroedes]

I've used em before.. hard to tell how much they really do.. I usually do it for good measure before polishing and waxing.. kinda depends on what you expose your ride to. If it's babied and garaged I don't think a bar is really necessary.

 

[Luis.GT]

Thanks man

 

[PHL Mike]

Take a plastic bag and put your hand inside and feel the finish. If you feel and hear bumps on the finish then there’s contamination like road crap or grime. I have used a clay bar several times and then polished and waxed and the results were VERY good. It’s an extra step to go all the way down to the base and bring it back up but the results IMO are worth it. There’s a ton of you tube videos on this if you’re hesitant. Walmart or Auto Zone or Pep Boys have good product options to keep the costs reasonable,
Good luck !

 

[rk88]

They work really well if your car is in need of removing contaminants. This video from Pan the Organizer should answer all your questions.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Hand wash and dry your car. Run you hand over the paint on the lower portion of your drivers door, if it's gritty and textured you need to claybar, if it's smooth don't bother.

I've had amazing luck with this product which is a bit different than the typical clay bar but I love it and you don't ruin it if you happen to drop it accidently like clay:

Speed® Clay 2.0

Mothers® Speed® Clay 2.0 is our fastest, most durable and versatile paint restoration and surface prep tool yet. This next generation contaminant removal process is so quick and easy, it’s as simple as washing or spray waxing your way to a perfectly clean, smooth and restored paint surface...

mothers.com

 

[Luis.GT]

This is cool

 

[DoctorStiches]

I clay barred a whole dodge dakota that sat outside for 7 years as a back up car and the paint dame back to lovly shinny silver. But i will not use it on my stinger because the single stage paint is not how paint in 2001 was. I feel like it may damage my pearly car.

 

[rk88]

I clay barred a whole dodge dakota that sat outside for 7 years as a back up car and the paint dame back to lovly shinny silver. But i will not use it on my stinger because the single stage paint is not how paint in 2001 was. I feel like it may damage my pearly car.

The stinger is not a single stage paint. Single stage paint means there is only color paint with no clear coat on top.

 

[DoctorStiches]

The stinger is not a single stage paint. Single stage paint means there is only color paint with no clear coat on top.

Thank you for schoolin me

 

[RedCal]

IIRC we actually have a few 3 stage paints (base, colour, and tinted clear)

 

[hummus]

I've been using the Mother's Speed Clay for a few years and have been quite happy with it. I find it to be far easier than natural clay for two reasons: (1) with natural clay, if you happen to drop a piece, you theoretically have to throw that piece away, while with synthetic clay, you can rinse/wipe it off and keep going and (2) with natural clay, the traditional method calls for lubing the surface with quick detail, and with the synthetic clay I chose to use a bucket of regular car detergent (or strip wash) at higher concentration and proceed to "wash" the car a second time using the Speed Clay instead of a sponge or mit--with light pressure and checking for smoothness as I went.

Lately, I've followed the advice of Pan and others to treat the paint with iron remover before using the clay. It has really upped my game, making the clay process easier and ending with an even more decontaminated surface afterward.

Just in case it wasn't evident already, after using clay of any kind it's important to add a protective barrier back on the car, whether in the form of wax, coating, or sealant.

Edit: also wanted to point out that there are newer synthetic clay towel products that have a more matrix-like surface that are supposed to be gentler on the surface than traditional synthetic clay towels or synthetic clay pads like the Mother's Speed Clay. I purchased one made by Optimum products (they also make ONR) but haven't tried it yet.

 

[neevo]

I moved from clay bars to a clay towel. Super sticky side and find it’s much easier to use than normal clay, plus you can wash it too.

 

[JAI-STINGER]

I clay barred a whole dodge dakota that sat outside for 7 years as a back up car and the paint dame back to lovly shinny silver. But i will not use it on my stinger because the single stage paint is not how paint in 2001 was. I feel like it may damage my pearly car.

I have clay barred mine twice and my pearly white is just as shiny as the day I bought it! No issues!

 

[Dess]

Definitely! Wash it well, clay, wash/rinse again, then wax. Claying a car will remove any remaining wax. Thus the order.

 

[DoctorStiches]

I must add the only reason i said single stage is that when my paint chipped away while i was trying to change emblems (2018 peral white) i noticed it was remarkably thin. Assumed 1 stage pearl.

 

[RonNSoCal]

I got a clay bar alternative from Giott and love it. Works well and can be cleaned if dropped. I use with Pinnacle spray wax, which is very inexpensive since I bought a jug of concentrate and add water. Finish looks and feels good after use, no need to do anything else after wiping dry.