CLAYBAR TUTORIAL! *Q&A* *VIDEO*

[si_civic]

DISCLAIMER: I do not accept liability, nor shall www.8thcivic.com, for any damages that may occur while claybarring your car. I cannot control what brand or claybar you use, what environment you are in, nor how you actually use the claybar system itself. Thus, use this video as a guideline only

Finally I found time to do up a tutorial on how to prep a car's surface before claybarring, how to claybar properly, and tips afterwards.

This tutorial is featured on a customer's brand new 505hp 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe. His main complaint was little white overspray nibs found all over the car. I spent a total of 6.0 hours on the beast.




INTRODUCTION TO CLAYBARS (FAQ may be updated at anytime)


Image shows surface contamination which is difficult to clean or polish off, yet auto claybar removes it with ease.


Q What is a claybar?
A A claybar is a synthetic piece of clay (some products are not synthetic, however) that is intended to remove contaminents and overspray that simple washing cannot. It is a vital step to provide the best finish and the results can be simply amazing.

Detailing clay works by hydroplaning (floating) over the surface you’re cleaning on a thin layer of clay lubricant. When the clay (polish) encounters surface contamination, it abrasively grinds it away. Detailing clay shears off any foreign material above the level surface of the paint. -Carcare.com

Q Why should I use one?
A Well, because I said so. If you're fussy like me, you want your investment to look like a million dollars, even after a few years. Claybar'n your car is the first step to provide the best possible finish. It is also necessary to claybar your car if you do NOT want swirls, spiderwebs, or scratches. Remember, if you wax your car without claybarring, you run the risk of having an ugly finish, and eventually having mad swirrels (as opposed to happy swirls). You also run the risk of rubbing in the dirt and grime into paint while waxing (or polishing) if you do not claybar. Remember, washing only removes the basic dirt and contaminents, no matter how much soap you use.

Q WHEN should I use one?
A Do the touch test. After washing/drying your baby, run your fingers along the freshly washed surface. Do you feel grit? Does it feel rough? Do you like it rough? I don't think so. If it is NOT feeling glass-smooth, it's time to do a claybar treatment!

Q Why should I trust you?
I have 15+ years of autodetailing experience, and I tried
almost every product out there. I get to do these cars because my company trusts me. There is four other detailers in our shop, and they won't come close to these $100,000+ cars. Ever. I'm not bragging, I'm just that good.

Q Can I eat the claybar?
A It's not a chocolate bar, so NO. lol

Q Can I use claybar on any surface other than paint?
A Claybars isn't just for paint. You can use detailing clay on any smooth, hard surface, including glass and chrome. Do not use clay on clear plastic, such as headlight lenses. The dirty clay will not harm glass, and it's amazing how much dirt film clay can remove from your exterior glass. It can also be used on rims with accumulated brake dust. Claybasr are not recommended on wheels that do not have a factory clearcoat or powder coat finish. Check to see what your rims are before you do them :)

added

Originally Posted by Coop

how big of a section can you do with what size of clay bar?

A I can usually do one section at a time with the size I show in the video. Visually check the claybar often to see if there is a lot of contaminants. It can vary. If there is a lot of buildup on the claybar, then form a new one. Don't be alarmed if there is a little buildup, the bar is just doing it's job.

Quote from Carcare.com

CAR DETAILING CLAY SUMMARY
Don't overuse a detailing clay bar. It is often over-prescribed as a cure-all. Once or twice a year is adequate for most well-detailed cars. Be sure to use a proper lubricant.

Choose a pre-wax car polish with the least amount of cleaning and polishing capability necessary to get the job done without being harsh on your paint. The goal is to maintain your paint in excellent condition, not wear it out by over-polishing.

PROS
- It's easy to apply
- A necessary step to remove paint contaminents
- Provides the smoothest finish

CONS
- Expensive
- Can ruin your finish if done improperly (dirty claybar etc)
- Time consuming

VIDEO SUMMARY
Not only does the video demontrates basic claybarring techniques, I show how to prep your surface BEFORE washing and where to degrease the car. I provided how to properly CHAMOIS your car as well. What I didn't demonstrate is how to wash properly. I didn't have time. I also didn't show how to apply wax afterwards (VERY IMPORTANT STEP AFTER CLAY BARRING) nor show how to remove. I may down the road.

CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH!
http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=cdba7006.flv

[firmhonda]

subscribed for future reference.

repped btw :)

[truflip]

hey man.. can u fly to Ottawa and fix up my car? :)
how much will that cost?

[si_civic]

^ lol. Sure! Send me the tickets dude, I'll fly by. haha.

[Kevin]

Great tutorial!

[8thgenuser]

Nice tutorial. I might have to sticky this one.

One thing I learned from this vid is to break up the clay into smaller pieces (especially if you have a big piece). I have a 4-ounce bar as a starter kit, good for maybe two cars. It would have been a good idea to have broken it down into smaller 1 oz chunks (or smaller) so if you do happen to drop the clay on the ground, you're not assed out of having to buy another 4 oz bar. Also, using smaller chunks will allow you to use an uncontaminated piece of clay on other sections of the car after having finished with a previous section.

[mc1200s]

When you mention degreasing the car, what do you mean exactly? Using dawn or a degreaser. Please explain.

[Coop]

how big of a section can you do with what size of clay bar.?

[si_civic]

Degreasing means you use a degreaser in a spray bottle. I used our degreaser at work called Magnum. In stores you can use Simple Green, or Meguiar's Xtra, or anything that is in a spray bottle. BE VERY CAREFUL spraying around high-polished aluminum (like exhaust tips or rims). Aluminum and alkaline (degreaser) don't mix well

It's important to use degreaser on the bottom half because that is where most road grime and dirt accumulate. This is the number one step in most cases.

-Darryl

[si_civic]

Originally Posted by Coop

how big of a section can you do with what size of clay bar.?

I can usually do one section at a time with the size I show in the video. Visually check the claybar often to see if there is a lot of contaminants. It can vary. If there is a lot of buildup on the claybar, then form a new one. Don't be alarmed if there is a little buildup, the bar is just doing it's job.

-Darryl

[si_civic]

PS thanks for stickying this

[HondaFREAK]

man, I wish my car would look like that..I have a lot of swirls in my paint now..but from now on I'm going to hand was, and dry with a 2 bucket method...do you know how much a claybar kit runs for?

[Zeuceone]

around 17 dollars. has anyone used that new liquid clay bar.? a claybar works magic. i used it on a white car that sees very little washing and you could see the oxydation at crap on the paint. the lub was turning orange from all the gunk on the paint.

[HondaFREAK]

does that include the degreasing spray, pre-polish spray and the claybar?

[si_civic]

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

around 17 dollars. has anyone used that new liquid clay bar.? a claybar works magic. i used it on a white car that sees very little washing and you could see the oxydation at crap on the paint. the lub was turning orange from all the gunk on the paint.

I saw this liquid claybar in a store and I am personally skeptical. It's kind of like when waterless carwash came out... or... that Mr Clean wash rinse junk. Companies these days are designing products that save time... But, what are the long term effects? Who knows... Clay has to be formed into your hand and physically applied. The contaminents have to be picked up and absorbed into this clay. Having something liquid, and then smudging it into paint does not appeal to me.... Any product that claims to save time or to be revolutionary with glitzy flashy boxes I avoid like the plague. Thats why Meguiars Professional line is a plain looking beige bottle with no glam.

I am confused as to why Meguiar's put out NXT. They never used to be flashy or high tech. I'm not saying their NXT line is bad, I actually like their wax. I love the NXT car wash, it's completely synthetic and foams forever.

Wow, am I ever getting off topic in my own thread.

Darryl

[DNieves]

Originally Posted by si_civic

I saw this liquid claybar in a store and I am personally skeptical. It's kind of like when waterless carwash came out... or... that Mr Clean wash rinse junk. Companies these days are designing products that save time... But, what are the long term effects? Who knows... Clay has to be formed into your hand and physically applied. The contaminents have to be picked up and absorbed into this clay. Having something liquid, and then smudging it into paint does not appeal to me.... Any product that claims to save time or to be revolutionary with glitzy flashy boxes I avoid like the plague. Thats why Meguiars Professional line is a plain looking beige bottle with no glam.

I am confused as to why Meguiar's put out NXT. They never used to be flashy or high tech. I'm not saying their NXT line is bad, I actually like their wax. I love the NXT car wash, it's completely synthetic and foams forever.

Wow, am I ever getting off topic in my own thread.

Darryl

I have that Mr Clean thing, the filters are $10 and the amount you get out ot them hard to say. But it does a good job when you rinse the car throughly with the ionized water because it dries without water spots. This is a better solution than the squeegee method that'll ruin your paint if a particle gets trapped between the silicon blade's wet edge and your paint job.

[Tim]

Q: If I DO eat the claybar, will it clean out contaminants inside me?

[LomeLi]

subscribed

[asndragonboii]

Originally Posted by Tim

Q: If I DO eat the claybar, will it clean out contaminants inside me?

You'll need to drink some quick detailer first

[Yodums]

Great tutorial. +Rep for you my friend.