1st time using clay bar

[TECH986ART]

Anyone with good experience using the clay bar? I notice the surface of my paint is very rough, what is the benefit by using it? Any tips?

thanks!!

[Stryke]

Yes, I own a detail shop and go through 10+ clay bars per week. Here's a few general tips.

Never drop it on the floor. If you do it goes in the garbage.

Use soapy water to lube the panel well and keep it wet. Do not use water for lube as it dries fast and will stain the clear.

Be sure to turn the clay and stretch it often to expose a clean area.

Do the bumpers and lower portions last as they are the worst and they will cause abrasives to scratch the higher panels.

Do not apply pressure. Let the bar do the work. It is better to go over an area 5 times lightly than twice hard.

Lastly, please do not wash your cars with dish washing soap. Dish washing soap is a degreeser and just as you would not wash it with wheel cleaner, do not wash with dish soap.

[Perfectlap]

basically you should never wax your car if it needs claying.
Use soapy water like or specific clay lubricant and wash after claying and before waxing.
I never wax or polish without a quick clay first.
keep a bowl of soapy water to clean off the clay and fold frequently so that you are alway working with a clean side of clay.
I don't believe in this folding the clay without first cleaning it thoruoghly to remove sediments and debris.
Don't reuse clay its asking for trouble.

[PDXBoxster]

Originally Posted by TECH986ART

Anyone with good experience using the clay bar? I notice the surface of my paint is very rough, what is the benefit by using it? Any tips?

thanks!!

Hi!
I have recently used a clay bar on my 01 Boxster (Seal Gray) and the results are pretty amazing! You spray on the liquid that comes with the kit and rub the clay bar over the liquid in straight lines (don't use a circular motion) and the viola! the finish is as smooth as a baby's ... er, very smooth. You can then use a finishing polishing compound and then put on the carnuba (I have also used Mequiars NXT wax with good results and it is easy on/off).

Everyone who has seen the before and after say they can really tell the differance.

I used Mother's "CALIFORNIA GOLD® CLAY BAR PAINT SAVING SYSTEM"

[Brucelee]

Much good advice here.


Clay is indepensable.

[TECH986ART]

Thanks guys!!! I truly thank all for the fast response!! I learned somthing new again.

Should I follow with a cleaner paint cleaner, then polish, and finally some NXT tech wax? For best results, or can I just jump to the final wax stage?

[Stryke]

No need for a paint cleaner after a clay. If the car doesn't have any swirl marks after clay just wax it with a good carnuba such as P21S.

Repeat wax every 4 weeks and repeat clay every 2-3 months.

[PDXBoxster]

Stryke,
This is off this topic but I wanted to chat with you about your Boxster mods.

I will start a new thread.

Thanks!

[Perfectlap]

[QUOTE=TECH986ART]Thanks guys!!! I truly thank all for the fast response!! I learned somthing new again.

Should I follow with a cleaner paint cleaner, then polish, and finally some NXT tech wax? For best results, or can I just jump to the final wax stage?[/QUOTE]

if you love your baby (reminds me of that scene in Harold and Kumar) you should invest in a Porter Cable orbital polisher. I have the popular 7424 which I got from Harbor Freight for $100 during a sale. You'll need a flexible velcro backing plate and a polishing pad(polishes..duh) and finishing pad(waxes and sealants).

as to after claying,
for German paints the Einzett or 1Z line is very popular among Porsche owners. I would give their paint polish a shot either manually or with the Porter Cable orbital polisher, Amazing results in a very short time. The orbital action will prevent inadvertent stripping of the clear coat. German paints are very soft! (actually I think they are illegal here in America, not eco friendly).

I swear by Klasse All in One(cleaning and polishing) and Klasse Sealant Glaze(SG).
After at least 10 coats of Klasse SG (24 hours curing time between coats) I top off with S100 once a month, which is the same as P21S but 1/3 the price.
THe Klasse two step I only do 2 or three times a year.

If your car is black I would try the NXT as a quick detailer but I'm not sure if you can use that over a natural/bio product like Carnauba.
I use Klasse AIO, NXT and Rejex on my wheels, including the barrel of the wheel.

p.s. I highly recommend the Sonus Waffle weave towels with the tufted loop ends.
Microfiber is striclty for interiors on my car. For final buffing you should use something like Sonus Concours Buffing towel. Much of a paints swirling not caused in washing process occurs when owners buff with a polishing towel.

Here's a pic of 12 coats of the Klasse SG with my old Black Car
(this car was never garaged or repainted in ten years).

[jiggysubman]

call me ignorant, but what exactly does using clay do?

[99-Boxster-MK]

Which one did you get at Crappy Tire??

This one

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444189 0751&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517494&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517515&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669473&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1118202869329

There is also this one for only 20 bux?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444325 1621&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517494&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517515&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669473&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1118202869336

Mike

[TECH986ART]

Mike:

Link dont work... It's the one thats on sale this week for $49, again what a great applicator, it comes with 1 sponge, so you need a few extra if you were to do few steps. I don't use it for buffering, after the wax hazes, I buff it off by hand with microfiber cloths.