Clay bar... (1 Viewer)

[acolella]

anyone have experience w/ the Mothers Clay Bar?? does it strip off a just waxed finish?

 

[IdahoDoug]

The clay bar is not designed to strip off wax, but to dislodge large (visible to the naked eye) particles embedded in the paint or stuck to it. Examples of this include fallout from rail yards or industrial operations that leave little spherical rusty looking particles on the paint. When the car gets wet, these things kinda melt into the paint partway due to the acids the water/fallout create. I used to have to use them in LA routinely. I'm not a detailer, so if you want good advice on technique find a detailing forum, but I found them easy to use though very tedious.

DougM

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Posted by acolella
anyone have experience w/ the Mothers Clay Bar?? does it strip off a just waxed finish?

You know, you should not use Mothers Clay bar or any clay bar on a rig that you have just finished the wax job.

You should use clay bar in this order:

Wash rig with dawn dish detergent.

Rinse with water using the sheeting method " hose without nozzle to prevent water beading"

Dry the rig with cotton towels or microfiber cloths.

Use the clay bar in a circular motion or use a clay bar holder. Check this site http://www.griotsgarage.com

Wax the rig, then apply a polishing compound and polish to shine.

 

[NMuzj100]

Try this site autopia.org for all your detailing questions. They are the bobistheoilguy.com for auto detailing.

Autopia link for using a clay bar - Cleaning with Clay ( Attractive Model Warning )

I think the Mother's and Clay Magic bars both get positive reviews from those in the know.

Do not use dish washing detergent on your car! Dish soap has powerful degreasers that are hard on the finish and the rubber and plastic trim. Use a proper auto shampoo.

 

[reffug]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=22871


I might look here.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

I use a clay bar a few times a year.

As one of the post above notes - you SHOULD use dish soap (dawn) as a first step before clay bar. Then clay bar, wash with carwash soap, apply waxes, etc. It's a big truck, but I find with the cladding (LX450) I can do the sides, rear and hood quite quickly.

It does make a difference in the look and feel!

 

[Lochsa]

Wax the rig, then apply a polishing compound and polish to shine.

I think he means polish first, then wax. If you polish after a wax, all your wax will be gone...

 

[Brentbba]

Another site to check out that has great products (IMHO) and very good tips and instructions is zainobros.com.

He also specifically states that you start the whole process with Dawn to strip any old wax before claying the vehicle.

 

[PACNW96]

Definitely recommended using a clay bar. The clay bar removes the contaminents from the surface of the car so it is as smooth as the day it was new. I have used Mother's clay bar product and Griot's. They are very similar, but Griot's is better quality and more expensive. Definitely check out the Griot's Garage website. Very helpful.

 

[John E Davies]

Nobody mentioned that you _must_ use some sort of lubricant under the clay bar - you want it to glide above the paint, not drag across it. A mist coat of detailing spray works well - I use Griot's clay bar and Speed Shine spray with great results.

You will be appalled at how black the bar gets on your "clean" paint.

John

 

[patpend2000]

I have had better results with Clay Magic clay bars, you can typically get a 3lb bar from your local automotive paint store. As previously mentioned, you need to use a lubricant, you don't need to use anything special. a spray bottle filled with water and dawn is sufficient and much cheaper then what they will try to sell you.

If you drop the bar on the ground THROW IT AWAY, it will pick up sand...etc.. and scratch the hell out of your paint, hence why you buy a 3lb bar and cut off small pieces. I usually use my bar twice before throwing it away.

On my black BMW I use a new bar each time for fear of scratching the paint.

Kelly

 

[ace10]

i second www.zainobros.com, if you're into that sort of thing...

 

[Brentbba]

Just be careful to use plenty of lubricant per instructions. First time I did this on the beast it came out smooth as glass. Just run your fingers over the paint surface before and again after your clay process. You'll be amazed at the difference.

It is worth your time.....and block out a good afternoon for it if you plan to wash with dawn, clay, wash again (I did at least) and then wax. Zaino's product is a two application wax (it really isn't wax) process before removal.

 

[sjcruiser]

Just run your fingers over the paint surface before and again after your clay process. You'll be amazed at the difference.

Use the the back of your palm instead; this is how you'd supposed to feel the difference as it's way more sensitive.

Frank.

 

[hoser]

I have had better results with Clay Magic clay bars, you can typically get a 3lb bar from your local automotive paint store. As previously mentioned, you need to use a lubricant, you don't need to use anything special. a spray bottle filled with water and dawn is sufficient and much cheaper then what they will try to sell you.

I agree, Clay Magic is better than Mother's and Zaino clay bars. Not only do they come in larger quantities, they are easier to mold and seem to remove more contaminents with less work.

 

[LX_TREME]

I've tried so many different products out there so far the BEST one i use ZYMOL to wash, dry the rig with cotton towels then apply Liquid Glass to wax it.

http://www.zymol.com/suvwash.htm

http://store.superior-carcare.net/liqglasautpo.html

 

[Brentbba]

Use the the back of your palm instead; this is how you'd supposed to feel the difference as it's way more sensitive.

Frank.

Hmmm, do you really want to confess your more sensitive side on the board?

 

[LX_TREME]

HAHAHAAHEHEHEHEE.... thats good one LOL....

 

[sjcruiser]

Hmmm, do you really want to confess your more sensitive side on the board?

LMAO - I guess no more desensitizer for me