Detailing - Clay Bar

I used a clay bar on the Mini a while ago, and forgot to post about it. All I have to say is AMAZING. If you think your car is actually clean after washing it, think again. There are still tons of little particles all over the paint. The clay bar picks these up. When you use a clay bar you can acually feel the difference. Where you've already clayed, it is completely and totally smooth, and when you slide your hand over to where you haven't clayed, it gets all rough and nasty. I highly recommend this for the serious auto detailer, especially before waxing.

I concur

I also had my car clay bared before it got rewaxed. The last owner rarely washed the car and i had tons of red particles in the back end of the car. Dropped the car off at the detail shop and when i got it back the same day all the red spots were gone. Clay bars are worth it and i think it only cost 20 bucks more for the detail shop to do it. Clay bar with a new wax job will bring back your shine.

i want to use a clay bar, but im to nervious...i heard it could couse scratches if i dont use it right <-that might sound stupied but i was reading up and thats what i heard

thanks for the tip. i always wondered if they worked

Just wash your car first so there are no pieces of gravel or sand on the car.

take your time, it isn't a race........

remember, Clay only cleans paint. it won't remove scratches, nor will it restore the lustre to faded paint.

It is great for removing over spray.

ORIGINAL: mill$civic

i want to use a clay bar, but im to nervious...i heard it could couse scratches if i dont use it right <-that might sound stupied but i was reading up and thats what i heard

Ya, it's super easy to do. All you gotta do is make sure you use plenty of whatever solution comes with the kit. There should be almost no resistance when you are dragging the clay. And yeah, it can start scratching if the clay is too dirty. Just keep folding it so you've got fresh clay at every wipe.

That solution runs out pretty quick. I used the whole bottle up on my cousins 01 Civic Sedan. Anyone got suggestions on how to make or another solution that will work? I've heard that car soap + water works good.

My kit just came with a bottle of something along the lines of "Auto Detailing Spray." So I bought an extra bottle for like 2.99 and was off.

EDIT: It was the Mother's kit, and the spray is California Gold Showtime Instant Detailer.

thats good stuff i used it before...........the royal blue is even better though. Combining the 2 is perfection

soap and water is what i use. it is IMO better then the cheap spary detailer they give you. At this point you are wanting to CLEAN the car, not put on a sealer or wax substitute.
ORIGINAL: AgentofDarkness

That solution runs out pretty quick. I used the whole bottle up on my cousins 01 Civic Sedan. Anyone got suggestions on how to make or another solution that will work? I've heard that car soap + water works good.

Yeah, that Detailer stuff I used isn't like a wax or sealer, it's basically just a general automotive cleaner. Basically just soap and water.

It is great for removing over spray.

Exactly how does it help with over spray?

ORIGINAL: D16z6


It is great for removing over spray.

Exactly how does it help with over spray?


The clay grabs the overspray and pulls it from the surface of the car into itself. Then you fold and continue, using plenty of lube of course... Same with tree sap, rail dust, or any other particles adhered to your paint.

What should you do if you if you have little chips in your hood? Will it make it only worse? I dont wanna cause the paint to come off anymore than it already is

When you clay the best thing to use to keep it wet is show room wax also called paint gloss its thin like water this is what your suppose to use. Remember while your using it once it gets dirty fold it in halve other wise you could drag the dirt across the paint. I use it before I buff a car they work great and make a huge difference I use it mostly to take off pollen and rail dust.

ORIGINAL: joe383

When you clay the best thing to use to keep it wet is show room wax also called paint gloss its thin like water this is what your suppose to use. Remember while your using it once it gets dirty fold it in halve other wise you could drag the dirt across the paint. I use it before I buff a car they work great and make a huge difference I use it mostly to take off pollen and rail dust.


Agreed and as far as what to use... I found a solution that works well is Mr. Clean Auto dry car wash (which is what I wash with anyways), taking a normal spray bottle and putting maybe a teaspoon in it and filling the rest with warm water... cheaper than having to buy a new claybar kit all the time as Ill go through a whole bottle each time i claybar...

Claybar=god!

ORIGINAL: Pete

thats good stuff i used it before...........the royal blue is even better though. Combining the 2 is perfection


big +1. meguiars clay kit+royal blue=http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/civicexracer/photoshoot%207-20-06/IMG_0015.jpg
thats black 11 year old paint btw:D