Clay bar...
09-16-2008, 12:27 PM
#1
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Clay bar... How often do you all clay bar your vehicles?
Also if you dont do it yourself, what kind of price do you usually pay?
Is it worth the time, effort in your opinion?
Also if you dont do it yourself, what kind of price do you usually pay?
Is it worth the time, effort in your opinion?
09-16-2008, 12:38 PM
#3
I think that it really depends on your situation (ie. parked inside vs. outside, does it see rain/snow, how often is it driven).
I've done my mothers car once, and that's all I plan to do. It is parked inside, under a cover, and sees <500 miles a year - all of them in sunshine.
My car on the other hand is done once a year. It is parked outside and gets rained on.
I've always done it myself. It's really simple...just a PITA.
I would have to say that yes, it's 100% worth the effort.
I've done my mothers car once, and that's all I plan to do. It is parked inside, under a cover, and sees <500 miles a year - all of them in sunshine.
My car on the other hand is done once a year. It is parked outside and gets rained on.
I've always done it myself. It's really simple...just a PITA.
I would have to say that yes, it's 100% worth the effort.
09-16-2008, 12:52 PM
#4
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Yes, definately worth your time!
Like mentioned above just buy the Mothers kit and DIY!!!
Cars daily driven or parked outside minimum every 6 months...garage queens, show cars or "toys" that see less than 1000 miles a year probably every year.
My cars are usually driven 4-5 times a week and parked inside but i still do em every 4-6 months. Claying really helps, especially if your cars never been done before. Youll be surprised how much crap is IN your paint. Just remember to always keep the surface wet (quick detailer is the easiest) wherever youre claying and ALWAYS wax right after, youre taking all protection along with the crap off.
Like mentioned above just buy the Mothers kit and DIY!!!
Cars daily driven or parked outside minimum every 6 months...garage queens, show cars or "toys" that see less than 1000 miles a year probably every year.
My cars are usually driven 4-5 times a week and parked inside but i still do em every 4-6 months. Claying really helps, especially if your cars never been done before. Youll be surprised how much crap is IN your paint. Just remember to always keep the surface wet (quick detailer is the easiest) wherever youre claying and ALWAYS wax right after, youre taking all protection along with the crap off.
09-16-2008, 12:53 PM
#5
Mine is parked under a covered spot and daily driven.
I do mine 1-2 times a year, and I use the Meguiars claybar kit (not much more than the Mothers in terms of price), which IMO is a better product (and lasts through more uses - degrades slower) compared to the Mothers.
I never pay to have my car claybarred.
It is worth the time and effort, especially if your car has never had it done and is in fact an F-body (at minimum 6 years old) and has been outside and/or daily driven.
Usually when I do it, the process goes like this:
Wash with soap, mitt, and water, rinse, dry
Claybar
Polish
Wax
I do mine 1-2 times a year, and I use the Meguiars claybar kit (not much more than the Mothers in terms of price), which IMO is a better product (and lasts through more uses - degrades slower) compared to the Mothers.
I never pay to have my car claybarred.
It is worth the time and effort, especially if your car has never had it done and is in fact an F-body (at minimum 6 years old) and has been outside and/or daily driven.
Usually when I do it, the process goes like this:
Wash with soap, mitt, and water, rinse, dry
Claybar
Polish
Wax
09-16-2008, 12:57 PM
#6
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I agree with ZexGX...I'd spring for the Meguiars Kit now that i think about it, thats what i used last time cause it was cheap and had everything i needed (was staying with my brother for a few weeks)...
09-16-2008, 01:01 PM
#7
I use the clay magic kit. I have to do it every 3-4 months, the powdercoating overspray from the shop floats around really bad. The kit works great. For the money it sounds like the mothers kit is the best deal.
Last edited by BMR Tech2; 09-16-2008 at 03:16 PM.
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09-16-2008, 01:06 PM
#8
The Mothers one is the cheapest one on the market, if I remember correctly. From my experience, the bars don't last very long and they degraded quickly after being exposed to the detail spray.. I was able to use the Meguiars kit much more effectively (slightly larger bar), and on one or two more vehicles. It only cost a few bucks more.
09-16-2008, 03:02 PM
#9
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Using the clay bar is an optional but highly recommended method of cleaning the surface of the paint before scratch removal and applying paint protection products. After claying, these products will spread and remove easier. The protection of wax and sealants will last longer, metallic finishes will pop, and you will see the true color of the paint surface.
Clay Magic kit $14.99 with free shipping from Tropi Care.com
http://www.tropi-care.com/Clay_Magic_kit_p/tc-1.htm
Clay Magic kit $14.99 with free shipping from Tropi Care.com
http://www.tropi-care.com/Clay_Magic_kit_p/tc-1.htm
09-16-2008, 03:13 PM
#10
I found the mothers clay to be crap and not glide well at all, but maybe I just got a bad one. Clay Magic and Zaino have been great to me and I just use the mother's spray detailer for lube.
Avoid the Mothers clay IMO.
Avoid the Mothers clay IMO.
09-21-2008, 02:29 AM
#11
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Using the clay bar is an optional but highly recommended method of cleaning the surface of the paint before scratch removal and applying paint protection products. After claying, these products will spread and remove easier. The protection of wax and sealants will last longer, metallic finishes will pop, and you will see the true color of the paint surface.
Clay Magic kit $14.99 with free shipping from Tropi Care.com
http://www.tropi-care.com/Clay_Magic_kit_p/tc-1.htm
Clay Magic kit $14.99 with free shipping from Tropi Care.com
http://www.tropi-care.com/Clay_Magic_kit_p/tc-1.htm
I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what someone would charge to wash detail, clay and wax a vehicle...car and suv/truck
09-21-2008, 08:44 AM
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I'm lazy, so I'll just copy a post I made on our home board just this morning...
I'm more than certain you all know about the benefits of Clay Bar... I got up this morning with the intentions of going over the Red Car, which I'm pretty sure hasn't been done with clay bar and Zaino since G10. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS WAS ON THE PAINT OF THAT CAR???
Yay for Meguiars.
Just for the record, any clay bar kit will do, I just picked up what was convenient at Wally world. I don't use the included quik detailer stuff, rather, a thick soap solution ( car wash) applied with the wash mitt to lubricate the finish. I've found this works better, and is 10X faster. If you haven't done your garage ornament in over a year, or your DD in over 3 months, pick up a clay bar kit- You'll be amazed. Now if the Zaino would just lay down this easily.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS WAS ON THE PAINT OF THAT CAR???
Yay for Meguiars.
Just for the record, any clay bar kit will do, I just picked up what was convenient at Wally world. I don't use the included quik detailer stuff, rather, a thick soap solution ( car wash) applied with the wash mitt to lubricate the finish. I've found this works better, and is 10X faster. If you haven't done your garage ornament in over a year, or your DD in over 3 months, pick up a clay bar kit- You'll be amazed. Now if the Zaino would just lay down this easily.
09-24-2008, 07:09 AM
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as soon as i get my car back from the shop im gonna do this. i cant wait to see the difference. i will take some before and after shots and post in this section.