Clay bar polishing

[Dan B.]

What are you guys using and how do you do it?? May start detailing in hopes of good weather early in the spring!

[gpfarrell]

I'm sure you'll find more scientific approaches, but just got to an auto parts store or even Wallymart and buy a $20 kit from Mothers. Just do what they tell you and I think you'll be pretty happy.

I usually clay whatever I'm doing but leave the excess quick-detailer on the car. After I'm all done with the clay I put on a quick coat of wax. When I polish the wax off, the left over quick-detailer is gone too. The paint is much easier to wax because the clay already got it clean.

This stuff is slick. I'm sure you can get much fancier, but I've been very happy with this easy approach.

[Erics89GT]

the higher the gram on the bar, the finer it is for detailing. i went out n bought a big clay bar cuz it does get dirty fast. you can use soap n water but make it really sudzy. ive used clay bar many times and tried diff approaches....the mothers clay kit is probably your best choice for a first timer...its real easy to use and works nice an wax lasts alot longer on clean paint

[no1sirbutler]

It's all in how far you want to go. The Meguiers kit you can buy at the parts store works good. And the quick detailed is a good lubricant. You could also buy some from Griots Garage, they have an online store with some good prices. I use the Griots because it's the softest clay I have used. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine. Just knead the clay between each body panel to make sure You start w/ a clean section of clay. When you rub down each panel, youll know your down when the clay slides smoothly. When i finish the car i rinse it and run my hand over thr car. It shouldnt slide smoothly due to all the wax and contaminents being gone. Then polish and wax.


Here's a tip though, get a small tipper ware container to store the clay in. I also wrap mine in Saran wrap. This seems to keep it from drying out so fast.

[somethingclever]

I didn't think the clay polished anything....just removed teh dirt that is "embedded" in the clear.

To polish you need a buffer and polishing compounds and the appropriate pads.

[no1sirbutler]

I didn't think the clay polished anything....just removed teh dirt that is "embedded" in the clear.

To polish you need a buffer and polishing compounds and the appropriate pads.

You are correct sir. When your done w the clay bar, you cannot just slide your hand across the paint. It will grab as you slide. You will need to polish w buffer and then wax to protect the work your just did.



On a side note, we have a n wax at our shop that is amazing. It was expensive but it works awesome. Bird crap will just rinse off with a mild stream of water, tar comes off with a just using your wash mitt, and my car has hardly any dust on it from sitting in the garage all winter. If you get a chance check out Do Do Juice. It has become my only wax for the mustang.

[scott5]

Best way to know that you are done clay barring is to put your hand in a ziplock baggie or sandwich baggie and run down the panel. If you feel any bumps your not done. Keep going till it is completely smooth.

[Terminated]

I use Detailer's Pride Clay and depends on the time allowed what I use to clay lube.

I have a bottle of DP's clay lube, but I hate washing the vehicle, then drying it and claying. So sometimes I will wash the car panel by panel, then rinse it down and wipe it again with the soap. I know this is frowned upon, but I have yet to notice any ill effects from it, especially when you normally polish a car after you clay it anyways.



This is my car the day after claying. You can't really see, but the car felt smooth as a baby's bottom afterward.

[scorpio333]

No one mentioned it yet - if you drop the clay on the ground, throw it away. If you get any sand grains in it, toss it. Sand, dirt, grit anything that gets on there and then goes across your paint is basically equal to sandpaper. You can screw up a finish with clay, but you got to be pretty much not paying attention to do it. So break that clay apart and use smaller pieces in case you drop it.