Are "Clay Bars" worth the effort?
- Thread starter Kai Winters
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Kai Winters
Clay bars aren't necessarily used to "improve the finish" but really before you do anything, you should rub it down with one to remove all the particles / oxidization on your car before polishing / waxing.
But yes, you can almost always notice a difference after claying. (Much smoother)
But yes, you can almost always notice a difference after claying. (Much smoother)
johnson
10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
Clay bars remove overspray and other surface contaminates. You should clay at least once a year. I haven't detailed in a while but I like Clay Magic clay bars. Should be available at Walmart or Pep Boys for about $10 and includes a lubricant spray. If you run out of the stuff then I use regular car soap diluted with water.
You should tear off the bar into 4 or 8 pieces in case you drop it on the floor. Never use the bar again if it hit the ground.
Wash the car thoroughly making sure that there is no dirt left.
After rinsing and when the car is still wet, spray on the lubricant and flatten the piece of clay and lightly move it across the surface. Let the bar work under it's own pressure.
Work in a 2x2 area. It feels like rubbing sandpaper on your paint but it will gradually get smoother and smoother. After each area, knead the clay like you would bread dough so you get a new surface. It should look dirty after each area from picking up all the contaminates.
If you do it right and your car is in average condition (never clayed before) then it will probably take all day. Most people get tired of doing it after the first 30 minutes so it's not something that can be done in an hour.
If someone was paying for a detail job that included claying the car, the biggest seller is to show them the difference. Get a thin sandwich bag and spray the lubricant onto the surface. Have them put their hand in the bag and feel the surface. The bag will magnify the feel of what's on the paint. Clay that area and have them feel it again. Now it's silky smooth.
You should tear off the bar into 4 or 8 pieces in case you drop it on the floor. Never use the bar again if it hit the ground.
Wash the car thoroughly making sure that there is no dirt left.
After rinsing and when the car is still wet, spray on the lubricant and flatten the piece of clay and lightly move it across the surface. Let the bar work under it's own pressure.
Work in a 2x2 area. It feels like rubbing sandpaper on your paint but it will gradually get smoother and smoother. After each area, knead the clay like you would bread dough so you get a new surface. It should look dirty after each area from picking up all the contaminates.
If you do it right and your car is in average condition (never clayed before) then it will probably take all day. Most people get tired of doing it after the first 30 minutes so it's not something that can be done in an hour.
If someone was paying for a detail job that included claying the car, the biggest seller is to show them the difference. Get a thin sandwich bag and spray the lubricant onto the surface. Have them put their hand in the bag and feel the surface. The bag will magnify the feel of what's on the paint. Clay that area and have them feel it again. Now it's silky smooth.
JLa Obsessed
10+ year member
Just Florida Chillin'
what the **** are clay bars lol
Yeah we use a purple clay bar and we use like latex gloves all the time so our hands dont get scaley we usually have the customers put on a glove and feel it it works too. But mainly all we clay are the new cars that gm oversprays. Everytime we get a transport in we have to clay them. Gets to be a pain in the ***.
wax aint all that good for the paint either..
Yeah, clay bars are worth it...
Everyone has explained it enough so I wont again, but the difference can be amazing.
Everyone has explained it enough so I wont again, but the difference can be amazing.
inapontiac
10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
just get some meguiars stuff.
dak0ta_g33k
10+ year member
whatR words4 ?
yes. i use them especially to remove hard water spots before applying wax
bigbangtheory
5,000+ posts
CarAudio.com Veteran
I have never personally used clay bars before. I might have to check into them for my eclispe.
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