Claybarring too much
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
From: Katy & College Station, TX
Claybarring too much 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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
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.
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 ..
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 ..
Meguiars had a thread going on this on their website www.meguiarsonline.com They said there was no way to overclay your car.
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.
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.
