What exactly is claybar for?

[J.Cagle]

I am just curious what claybar is for. Is it just suposed to take off any dirt and wax build up? If so, isn't buffing the car a better route? I mean, buffing will remove any contaminates and oxidation, and it will also remove scratches, scuffs, and other imperfections that the clay bar will not. I am just curious as I just purchased a claybar kit to try out. It didnt seem to improve my paint much at all. But then again, I dont let water spots stay on my paint or bugs stick to it for long periods of time.

 

[TexasKyle]

Really? Not being a dick dude, but its a "sticky"...in THIS section. A search would have helped too.

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40276

 

[Blxcklist]

Really? Not being a dick dude, but its a "sticky"...in THIS section. A search would have helped too.

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40276

^ this

 

[gmantheman]

I have never personally claybared my car, but other "workers" have.

 

[DKS]

I look at it like this. When you buy a car you should do it, period.

If the car sits outside at all, you should do it regulaly, also.

But, like with my car, I don't have to do it because it's kept inside and is polished often enough to not really need to bother with it that much. Maybe once a year if that.

It pretty much just removes tar, sap, bugs, etc. that washing doesn't. Polishing will, for the most part, do the same.

However, if you drive your car a lot or park outside, it's a good idea before you wax if you are not going to polish the car.

 

[MUSTANG16]

Wants to know if clay removes water spots?

 

[DKS]

lol, Doesn't do shit for waterspots. Doesn't remove wax, either, just to be clear.

 

[19COBRA93]

I claybar all my cars at least once a year. It makes a huge difference. As far as what it does and why... www.google.com

 

[DKS]

I claybar all my cars at least once a year. It makes a huge difference. As far as what it does and why... www.google.com

I actually clicked on the link Damn, that was stupid of me, lol

It's a part of the process to a complete smooth finish if you are starting from scratch. Just depends on how you store the car and maintain the finish as to how often you need to do it or how much it's actually "needed"

I'll probably not "need" to do it to my car for years at the rate I'm going now. My Jeep and my GF's car could use it much more often, but then again . . . WHY BOTHER, lol

 

[19COBRA93]

I actually clicked on the link Damn, that was stupid of me, lol

It's a part of the process to a complete smooth finish if you are starting from scratch. Just depends on how you store the car and maintain the finish as to how often you need to do it or how much it's actually "needed"

I'll probably not "need" to do it to my car for years at the rate I'm going now. My Jeep and my GF's car could use it much more often, but then again . . . WHY BOTHER, lol

I agree, some may need it, and some may not. My car is my daily driver, it sits outside all day everday when I'm at work, it gets driven in the rain, snow and sun. My Capri, mostly sits in the garage, and probably doesn't need it nearly as often. I did it to my '95 Bronco a couple months ago and it was truly amazing the difference it made. The thing felt like sandpaper before I started. When I was done it was as smooth as glass.

 

[DKS]

^^^ Good point you bring up. I don't know why I didn't think to include this little tidbit. If you feel your paint and it feels rough like sandpaper, you need to claybar. If it's smooth like glass, you probably don't.

You can feel the stuff the claybar will get off, so if you can feel it, use it, if you can't then you probably don't need it.

A car that isn't parked under trees or driven in the rain, etc. isn't going to need it very often at all. A DD probably needs it at least once a year, depending on how much you polish it.

 

[LegendLives]

This is a trick i learned, may be new to some, maybe not. Get one of those cheap fold over type sandwich bags, put your fingers/hand in it and now lightly feel the finish on your car. This method really makes the dirt/contaminants noticeable.

 

[J.Cagle]

I guess I was just a little confused what all claybar would remove. After seeing pictures of before and after of peoples cars on here I was expecting a huge difference as well. When I tried the clay bar I barely noticed any discoloration to the clay and it wasnt removing the couple of slight water spot stains on the hood. There was also 3 spots where bugs had stained the hood as well. Wouldnt remove those. I was under the assumtion that it would. I think I will go ahead and finish claying the whole car, buff it all out, and wax it. That should be good enough for now.

 

[jslatts]

not to sound like a dick but were you using lubrication? (i.e. spray wax/quick detailer)

I use to have customers come in (i use to detail at a dealership) and ask why they couldnt get any Contaminates out of their paint with the clay, you'd be surprised how many of them said they wernt using any lubrication lol

 

[J.Cagle]

yes. I sure was,lol

 

[MUSTANG16]

not to sound like a dick but were you using lubrication? (i.e. spray wax/quick detailer)

I use to have customers come in (i use to detail at a dealership) and ask why they couldnt get any Contaminates out of their paint with the clay, you'd be surprised how many of them said they wernt using any lubrication lol

I use the speed shine spray from Griots garage…

 

[NastyStang113]

lol, Doesn't do shit for waterspots. Doesn't remove wax, either, just to be clear.

I hate to be like this but this is completely wrong. Typically, water spots will be removed by claying. Water etching is a completely different issue. Claying does without a doubt remove wax.

This is a trick i learned, may be new to some, maybe not. Get one of those cheap fold over type sandwich bags, put your fingers/hand in it and now lightly feel the finish on your car. This method really makes the dirt/contaminants noticeable.

Yes that's the correct way to measure if you need to clay. I always clay a brand new car because of rail dust. A daily driver should be clayed twice a year, maybe even 3 times. A full detail every ~4-6 months depending.

 

[DKS]

Yeah, I agree, that was wrong of me. A clay bar will remove water spots if they are fresh and new and have not been etched into the paint. But how many times are you going to be that lucky? Usually a person that lets the car get water spots in the first place isn't going to get rid of them in time for them not to cause problem that simply claying the car will take care of. Etching from hard water, acid water, heat baking, etc. are more common than just a simple water spot and they will most likely not be easily removed by just claying the car.

But yes, technically, a clay bar will remove water spots. Good catch, Nasty=rep

 

[DKS]

As far as the Clay bar removing wax, yes, it does remove wax, but it's not intended for that purpose, it's just a byproduct of the action. The OP was asking about using it as a method to remove wax build up. Even though it will remove some and sometimes all of the wax, it's not intended or very good as a "wax remover" A good citrus cleaner is going to be better for that and way more effective for the amount of work you're doing.

To get the most out of the clay bar, you should strip the wax first with a cleaner and then use the clay bar. Trying to do both at once is counterproductive.

I should have been clearer with my answer, but I was in a hurry.


Here is a quote form Maguire's

"Yes, while clay is designed to remove above surface bonded contaminants, clay will also remove some wax protection from the surface. We strongly recommend following the claying process with a coat of wax for maximum gloss and protection"

 

[NastyStang113]

This is when I like to use Dawn before a full detail (and only before a full detail). But, if I feel that the vehicle doesn't have much wax on it anyways, which should be the case if you're doing a full detail anyways, than I'll go on with my 'standard' wash and than proceed to clay.