Hi all, I just purchased a clay bar from Japan. $5. The instruction is in Japanese, can't read it. Would someone post a short description of how to use it?

I know I have to wash down the car first. Do I just clay the car while it is still wet? Or do I actually have to use the car washing soap as lub. during claying?

Thank you.

bump

First wash car with dish soap and water. This will wash any previous wax off the car as well as dirt and grime.

Second, you need a lubricant. Some clay bars come with car show polish or something to lubricate. You can use car wash soap as lubricant but you need to cut it a little with water.

Work in small areas and fold the clay over itself when done with an area.

I bought Mother's clay bar and it worked well. Make sure the car's surface isn't too hot as the clay might smudge.

When you are all done claying you should wax right away. I use Zaino brothers and i will never use anything else.

Good Luck.

Thank you, SubaruPilot. One more question - how do I declay? After claying, do I use a clean cloth to take out whatever is left from claying (sort of like taking off the wax)?

Not sure what your question is...but when you are done with an area wipe the lubricant away. The car should have no visible dirt on it before you clay...always check the clay for large chunks of debris that may scratch your paint as you are claying the car.

If you mean if the clay smudges...I am not sure. I never had the problem. Just don't clay on a hot surface. I don't think you will have that problem if you use enought lubricant too.

It is not normal for clay to come off on the car...the clay merely rides along the surface of your paint and picks up debris....so in your words there should be no reason to "declay". It is almost like using an art eraser in a way if you need an analogy.

Thank you once again. Yep, I meant the smudges. Sounds like claying doesn't leave any of the clay's residue on the car's surface(?) Isn't claying the car almost like using an eraser on paper? When using the eraser, residue gets left behind on the paper. I guess all I need to do after claying is to dry the car(?)

You are correct...normally there should be no residue remaining. Good luck.

can you just use the clay bar without using washing the car with dishsoap?
:D

After claying, you should wash the car again, before waxing. I too use Zaino Brothers products...great stuff.

I just got the Mothers clay bar kit a
week ago and even though there
are instructions, I was glad to see
this post with some better tips. I
did just wash my WRX last Sunday
morning (it was 8 degrees wind chill)
and I wanted to use it then, but I
figured that the temp was too cold for
any claying/waxing. I once remember
seeing a post stating that it is best to
use above 40 degrees Farenheit?

Any truth to that? I also never seen any
posting concerning a temp requirement
for claying as well. Any takers on this
one?

FWIW, washing at 8 degrees farenhiet is
not too much fun, unless you love your
WRX. :p

_______________________________

EDIT: Hmmm, no takers on what is
considered "good" temps for waxing/
claying? I understand physics and
know that waxing in cold temps should
be more difficult, but I would like to be
sure. I use a clean terry cloth towel
that has been dampened by warm
water to make the wax easier to put
on, but what about taking off, my bet
is that it would be very tough to remove.


__________________________

Originally posted by ScoobyBoy
can you just use the clay bar without using washing the car with dishsoap?
:D


You would be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn't wash your car before you clay it. Without a wash all the dirt and grime on your car would simply be scratched into your finish as you clay the car. Might as well grab some sandpaper and say you are clay detailing your car!

1. Wash...and wash again with dishsoap with water.

2. Clay.

3. Wax.....and wax again.

4. Pass out....cuz this takes a while.

also never use force when claying...you basically want to glide the clay bar over the car make sure to stay in well lubricated areas :lol: if you rub it where there isn't any lubricant (car show polish etc..) you will scratch the paint.

Yeah, the clay glides over the paint. I've never figured out why it would "stick" and leave clay on the surface, unless no lube was used.

Ed

More question - How long does a claybar last?

I understand that I am supposed to fold-in the claybar every now and then so that the claybar's surface will always be fresh (without debris). But when the claybar picks up enough dirt, we should be discontinue using it. How can we tell when the time comes?

Originally posted by hkwan
More question - How long does a claybar last?

I understand that I am supposed to fold-in the claybar every now and then so that the claybar's surface will always be fresh (without debris). But when the claybar picks up enough dirt, we should be discontinue using it. How can we tell when the time comes?
I have the Mother's kit and I believe it says it will last for 2-3 cars...

I'm pretty sure the Mother's kit uses Instant Detailer for the lubricant...it works very well. The directions also say to not let the liquid dry on the paint. You should buff the surface that you clayed with a soft cloth immediately after using the clay.

My recommendation, go down to Kragen, open the package, notice what it comes with and read the directions. At least that way there won't be any confusion. Also, is it really necessary to clay a brand new car (I bought the kit for my old car, not the new one)?

Yes, clay your new car. It got all kinds of contaminents on it during transit, sitting on the lot, etc.

Ed

Thanks to everyone's input, I just wash/clay/wax my car. Took a total of 2 hours, including washing the wheels.

This is what I did -> wash with dish washing detergent -> wash again with regular car wash liquid -> clay (car still wet from being hosed down and dipping the claybar into clean soapy water as lubricant) -> wash again with regular car wash liquid -> dry -> polish -> wax. 2 hours, I moved really fast.

The clay bar did pick up a fair amount of debris from the car's surface. The hardest part was folding in the claybar. The bar is relatively hard, comparing to silly putty. The paint's surface is very smooth now.

You would be shooting yourself in the foot if you didn't wash your car before you clay it.

i know you have to wash the car clean first, but i was asking whether or not you need to wash it with dishsoap.
or can you just use regular car wash.
:D