LS1Aggie09

iTrader: (25)

Is it possible to claybar your car too much? Might be a dumb question but just curious if doing it 5 or 6 times a year might be bad for the clearcoat.

thmass6

iTrader: (2)

It shouldn't harm it. The clay doesn't cut into the clear like an abrasive polish/compound, it just removes impurities from the surface. However, using it 5-6 times a year seems a little overkill to me, but I don't know your driving situations so I guess I shouldn't speculate!

kyles2000z

iTrader: (8)

wow claying 5-6 times a year? sounds like a waste of clay to me....or youre trying to keep a daily driven car that sees snow every day show worthy. i dont think it would harm anything but youre wallet and time.

RickyMartinZ28

iTrader: (5)

I clay bar my front bumper and hood portion when I wash. Just to get all the bug parts off it.

-Rick

99'CajunFirehawk157

iTrader: (57)

They say you only need to clay the portions where stuff can lay on top of: IE roof, deck lid, hood, etc.... read up more on this on www.autopia.org/forum

Steve P

iTrader: (6)

Typically 1-2x/year is the recommended rate for using the clay bar. As stated earlier, more frequent clay bar use will have no significant impact in damaging the clear coat as it safely skims contaminants off the top surface.

There is nothing wrong with more frequent intervals if you're trying to keep the surface up to a higher standard. Just be sure to use plenty of lube to minimize the chance of inflicting any micro-marring. When completed, follow up with a durable sealant or surface protection product.

LS1Aggie09

iTrader: (25)

thanks a bunch yall for the input!!!

camar0guy

iTrader: (5)

you do know that once you clay, that section is completely unprotected?
so u wash, clay, polish, and seal your bumper every time u wash?!

xxrillixx

iTrader: (118)

+1...

The reason you dont clay often is exactly what he said above, it removes the polish/wax/whatever you use. I wouldnt recommend it, but i dont think it will hurt if you are sealing it after. You just have less protection because now your one single coat versus the many coats you would have built up... might not mean much where you live, but here in las vegas it makes a difference.

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

As Steve mentioned, as long as you follow it up with a sealant or wax, it isn't hurting anything, but it is probably overkill, and it also increases your chances of introducing additional issues.

There is no need to polish after every clay job, but you do need to re-protect.

As long as you are claying correctly, and not taking shortcuts, it is your time .. knock yourself out ..

thecobrahunter

iTrader: (1)

I clay about once or twice a year.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

Meguiars had a thread going on this on their website www.meguiarsonline.com They said there was no way to overclay your car.

RickyMartinZ28

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, I actually do on some surfaces.

I wash, clay, wax etc on the front bumper and black top/mirrors that get unusual abuse.

-Rick

josh99ta

iTrader: (1)

Same here. Almost every time I wash my car I clay the front bumper and leading edge of the hood. It's easier to clay it and let it get off all the bug splatters and the like rather than scrubbing really hard with a wash mitt and introducing micromarring that way. If I'm doing a quick wash I don't clay, but every time I do a wash and have time to seal the hood and front bumper again I clay the bumper and hood. I clay the whole car twice a year, once before winter and once in the spring after winter.

96LT4

iTrader: (19)

I usually clay my car every 2 months or so, I've been DD it now so I want to keep it as clean as I can. Of course after every clay I always wax or polish.

LS1 Eddie

iTrader: (2)

You shouldn't NEED to clay your car every time you wash it. I clayed the bottoms of my truck once back when I got it in September. I've driven it now through just about every kind of weather, and I have not needed to clay it yet.

98boxer

iTrader: (7)

i remember mothers claybar instructions had said every 5-6 months