Hey i'm thinking about using a clay bar on my car for the first time saturday.
is there any recommendations on what bar/kit i should buy and how i should go along doing it based on experience and other factors like the cars paint etc...

thanks.

 

Just keep it lubed up good. There are several OTC kits available that are decent. Cut the clay up into 3 or 4 peices, so if you drop it, you dont loose the whole bar.

Lube is very important!
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+1 on cutting the clay up and the lube.

Take your time. Don't skimp on the lube. Also don't press too hard. Let the clay do all the work for you. Work on a small section at a time.

Autozone sells a Clay Magic kit that I really like. Comes with the clay and lube and only costs $12.
You can also get kits by Mothers and Meguiars. I have heard complaints of the Mothers clay smearing but I didn't have that problem when I used. Those are the OTC ones I would recommend.

I personally use the Clay Magic kit and clay from Justin at Obsessive Detail. Justin's clay bar is costs $24 but is also twice as large as most other bars.

 

Meguiars's Clay Kit comes with 2 pieces of clay, lube spray and a nice microfiber towel. $20

I found the white clay to be real easy to mold.

How to claybar:
http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-clay-bar.html

Clay bar video: http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/pinnacle.html

 

i use meguiars and highly recommend it.

 

I have used both meg and mothers, they are about the same to me...

 

I highly recommend that you clay your car. Claying your paint will remove dirt and grit from your paint. Run your hand over the paint first then after claying a section
feel the paint again your will feel a huge difference. The paint will be smooth and feel like glass.

I'm a firm believer in Adam's polishes....it's the best that I've used hands down. Make sure that you use there Buttery wax and Brilliant Glaze. I've had people
think that my car was wet sanded...it's not.

Bangastang.com

 

I used the buttery wax - had some left over and decided to use it on myself. All I can say is Mmmmmm.. Buttery.....

 

I just bought my car and I am a new to all the car detailing stuff but on top of my rear bumper, the paint feels slightly rough. Almost as if the painter never used clearcoat but they did, maybe not that much. Would claying work for me? wouldn't it take off all the clearcoat and make me have to somehow reapply some?


Thanks,
Brandon

 

Brandon,
You can clay bar that. You'd be suprised the amount of crap imbedded in your paint right on that very spot. It wont remove your clearcoat either.

Heath
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