Questions on Clay Bar.

[DBFIU]

Hi,


I just bought a mothers clay bar kit the other day and I read the instructions and began to claybar. I didn't see a significant difference on the wing (the only part i did for fear of screwing up a body panel).

Questions arise though, how hard do you push? How much of that spray do you use (I was dousing it) and when the clay gets dirty, what do you do then?


Thanks,

- Dan

[av911]

CLAYBAR TUTORIAL! *Q&A* *VIDEO*

[DBFIU]

That sums it up! Thanks!

[NitrousG35]

Don't worry about damaging your paint with a claybar. Spray a panel at a time liberally with the detailing spray. Spray the clay as well. Run the claybar over the surface until the surface begins to feel smooth to the touch. Also, the claybar shouldn't drag as much once the surface is smooth. Buff out each panel with a good microfiber towel, then proceed to the next panel. You should be fine. Have fun!

[Izzy]

You do it by panel, Nitrous? I generally do like, a square foot at a time. But, yeah, just keep on applying light pressure and "scrub" until the paint's smooth again. You won't "see" the difference per se, but the clarybar will make your car as smooth as a baby's bottom!

As far as when it's dirty, just keep rolling up the claybar generally making sure the side you're working on is fairly clean. Remember to keep it off the floor or anywhere it could pick up something and scratch your paint.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Izzy

You do it by panel, Nitrous? I generally do like, a square foot at a time. But, yeah, just keep on applying light pressure and "scrub" until the paint's smooth again. You won't "see" the difference per se, but the clarybar will make your car as smooth as a baby's bottom!

As far as when it's dirty, just keep rolling up the claybar generally making sure the side you're working on is fairly clean. Remember to keep it off the floor or anywhere it could pick up something and scratch your paint.

Izzy, with the relatively small panel sizes on the Civic, I usually do half the hood, the front fender, the roof before the sunroof, the roof after the sunroof, each door [I have an FA5], rear quarter panel, top rear, bottom rear and repeat on the other side. Remember though that my paint is extremely clean and free from contaminants.

You make a great point about kneading the claybar and rolling it around. You always want to have a fresh edge of the clay on the paint.

[Izzy]

I was more referring to using the lubricant on the entire panel as opposed to a small area at a time. Then again, as you referred, you have a very clean car to start with, which probably makes your claybarring easy and a very long task.

I've got a lot of work ahead of me...I haven't fully detailed my car for about 6 months. So, I've gotta do some major claybarring. Friday is gonna be Zaino day for me. *sigh*

...but it's always worth it in the end! I'm gonna try some of that Carnuba stuff while I'm at it, to enhance the gloss a bit more, since the Mother's claybar I bought a year ago had like this sample size bottle with it. It's not P21S, but I guess it'll have to do.

[07mugencivic]

Originally Posted by av911

CLAYBAR TUTORIAL! *Q&A* *VIDEO*

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I was more referring to using the lubricant on the entire panel as opposed to a small area at a time. Then again, as you referred, you have a very clean car to start with, which probably makes your claybarring easy and a very long task.

I've got a lot of work ahead of me...I haven't fully detailed my car for about 6 months. So, I've gotta do some major claybarring. Friday is gonna be Zaino day for me. *sigh*

...but it's always worth it in the end! I'm gonna try some of that Carnuba stuff while I'm at it, to enhance the gloss a bit more, since the Mother's claybar I bought a year ago had like this sample size bottle with it. It's not P21S, but I guess it'll have to do.

Remember that the wax that comes with the Mother's claybar is a cleaner wax, which is fine if you have any oxidation, mild swirls or fine scratches. I prefer to use a pure wax free of cleaners.

[Izzy]

Well, I was actually just going to use that wax (which is labelled pure carnuba, though you're making me doubt it =P) to top off over the Zaino, to further enhance the gloss.

[DBFIU]

so does that wax that comes with the mothers kit work well? I'm not trying to get it to look like a 500 dollar detail job, just really clean and new.

[Izzy]

No idea. I've never used it. My car's only seen Zaino. Even going back to my previous car. So I have a couple bottles that's never been cracked open.

[audibleforce]

FYI - I just detailed my car this weekend and I had asked how to remove tree sap and other misc things from my windshield, rear window and Sunroof, but I found that the clay bar does a great job removing this stuff from windows too. I tested on a small part on my sunroof first and it did great. I wasnt able to remove this stuff easily with just soap or even a with scrubbing pad that wasnt to abbrasive. I love the clay bars, I didnt think they would work so well.

By the way I used the Meguiars clay bar kit also.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

so does that wax that comes with the mothers kit work well? I'm not trying to get it to look like a 500 dollar detail job, just really clean and new.

The wax that comes with the Mother's claybar is a cleaner wax. It has a mild abrasive in it. If your paint is slightly oxidized or has minor swirls or scratches, you can use it.

My paint is perfect and I only use pure wax, not a cleaner wax. Make sure to note that when buying wax as all the companies offer both kinds of waxes.

[DBFIU]

Ok, understood. So my buddy who bought a brand new black STI has a lot of micro scratches in his clearcoat (easy to see in black paint). Should he use this mothers cleaner wax?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

Ok, understood. So my buddy who bought a brand new black STI has a lot of micro scratches in his clearcoat (easy to see in black paint). Should he use this mothers cleaner wax?

I think so. Sounds like a perfect candidate for cleaner wax. Cleaner wax won't damage paint. It does help with very mild oxidation or swirls and hairline scratches.

[mitsukaiSI]

anyone used the ICE synthetic paste polish that they sell at walmart?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by mitsukaiSI

anyone used the ICE synthetic paste polish that they sell at walmart?

That stuff is pure crap. Might be ok on some clapped out car, but for the Si, I would forget it. I have a bottle in my garage. Wish I could give it away to someone.

[Izzy]

Why not take an elephant gun on it?

I got my Zaino today. Tomorrow will be BACK-BREAKING. I can't wait.

[mitsukaiSI]

damn haha guess ill be going to find something else to use tomorrow