Claybar......

[aerostar]

How the hell do you use it?
O.O

I heard if I use it incorrectly my paint will come off...
Should I be scared to do this by myself

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[Oldfart Racer]

Your paint will not come off. Buy the kit, spray the detailer on, rub with clay bar, fold clay bar in half, repeat.
I do about a 2 foot section at a time.

[Bishop]

it's really simple and easy. don't be scared.

[RedlineWRX04]

do exactly what Oldfart Racer said. Using a claybar isnt hard at all. Just make sure that you wax afterwards. That reminds me, before you claybar wash your car with dawn or another type of dishwasher soap because that strips all wax off and gives you a good starting point. Have fun!

[XanRules]

^^ simple green ftw.

[BlkTS02]

Originally Posted by XanRules

^^ simple green ftw.

Very bad idea.


I used to use the claybar lubricant, but now I just use a MF wash mitt with soapy water in one hand and the claybar in the other.

[Matt_H]

Read this...

http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detai...-cleaning.html

[Vew]

and watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI

[EnterTheDragon]

lube lube lube...dont use pressure..just pull the claybar across your lubed paint.... mead/fold as needed when it becoms dirty.

no pressure no pressure no pressure

simple green on a car is just stupid

[EdWRX]

does it come with instructions?

[Kean]

Originally Posted by EdWRX

does it come with instructions?

.....instructions were supplied in those two excellent links Matt and Vew posted. .....it doesn't get much better than that unless you have someone come over and help you.

[ohhgreat]

get either the mother's or meguiar's clay bar kit. both come with a bottle of quick detailer for lube and a bottle of cleaner wax.

[wrxsmy]

i say if u want that smooth butta finish between clay n wax use a polish.
so clay polish and wax

[smurfwrx]

OP: look dude, I was freaking out just like you a couple months ago. It's really VERY easy. The key is, plenty of lube (detailer spray) and work in small sections. Use very light pressure - nowhere near as much as when you are rubbing in a wax real good. Depending on the current condition of the paint, you will feel a "roughness" go smooth. That is the claybar working its wonderful magic. Just don't bear down and do small sections at a time. FOLD and MEAD early and often! If it looks 'kinda' dirty make a new surface. If you drop it, THROW IT AWAY! Good luck and don't sweat it. Wax it up when you're done (I did 2 coats) and it will SHINE! Seriously though, don't stress. You won't tear the paint up unless you sit there rubbing one spot forever and push too hard.

[PoopRSkupe]

i just did the claybar/wax on my hood today for the first time it looks marvelous and feels like baby ass. can't wait to finish my car tomorrow... the difference is huge, i say!

[REXtard04]

The importance of claybar seems to go overlooked by quite a few people. I see it as absolutely necessary at least twice a year. Also, as stated, for a phenominal finish, use a polish before you apply the wax, and when you wax, apply TWO coats of good wax, none of these synthetic dirt magnets.

The claybar is SO easy to use and is worth every penny once you take a look at the finished product.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by REXtard04

The importance of claybar seems to go overlooked by quite a few people. I see it as absolutely necessary at least twice a year. Also, as stated, for a phenominal finish, use a polish before you apply the wax, and when you wax, apply TWO coats of good wax, none of these synthetic dirt magnets.

The claybar is SO easy to use and is worth every penny once you take a look at the finished product.

......absolutely necessary? ....hardly. Besides, every situation will be slightly or even drastically different. There are many factors to consider (i.e. if the car is left outside or garaged, where you live, where you park, how often the car is driven, weather, products used, maintenance, etc.). The key is the ability to evaluate your finish and select the proper course of action. ......folks like myself have been using detailing products to maintain our finish long before claybar became so widely popular with the average consumer. However, I will agree that it has made contaminate removal far more easier and I would be one of the first to recommend it's use.

.......as for synthetics, I would have to completely disagree with you. There are several good polymers, "synthetics", etc. on the market today that provide long lasting protection and a nice shine. In fact, many will couple them with a traditional, high quality wax to get that "pop".

[REXtard04]

What synthetic waxes are out there that will last as long as a good carnuba wax? Of course if you couple the two together, the durability and life-span will be better, but a snythetic by itself? I have never heard a good review of a synthetic being used by itself, and doing anything more than making the color shine better.

As for the claybar being necessary. I don't care if you garage your car every day of the year, and only drive it when it's sunny out...the buildup of "crap" on the paint WILL happen, no matter what. I can't see the use of a claybar ever hurting, regardless of the pre-detailing evaluation. Very few people detail their car every day, or keep it spotless every day. If a weekly wash is all that is done, the buildup will not be reduced.

The full benefit of a good wax job can only come from a properly prepped surface (whether using cleaner wax or a claybar). For most people, who really only wax their car 2-3 times a year, removal of the buildup IS necessary.

[Prevent]

carnabu wax hands down, i wax/clay twice a year. and in between use Meguiars Detail Sprayer my car never felt so smooth year round.

You can clay too much though. I think twice a year clay/wax is fine, once in fall for winter wash/clay/wash/polish/meguiars 3step and in spring wash/clay/wash/polish meguiars 3step. I do however wash my car just about everyweek and use a detailer spray.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by REXtard04

What synthetic waxes are out there that will last as long as a good carnuba wax? Of course if you couple the two together, the durability and life-span will be better, but a snythetic by itself? I have never heard a good review of a synthetic being used by itself, and doing anything more than making the color shine better.

….you’re kidding, right? I think you’ve got that backwards on both counts (longevity and shine). I’ve seen discussions/arguments in regard to a superior shine with carnauba (note spelling) but certainly not out lasting the durability of a good synth (i.e. Klasse, Zaino, etc.). The reason some folks will layer a high quality carnauba (like P21S) on top of a synth (like Klasse AIO) is to get the best of both worlds. As for good reviews, feel free to browse the forums here @ NASIOC and/or Autopia.org. ……there are plenty.

Originally Posted by REXtard04

As for the claybar being necessary. I don't care if you garage your car every day of the year, and only drive it when it's sunny out...the buildup of "crap" on the paint WILL happen, no matter what. I can't see the use of a claybar ever hurting, regardless of the pre-detailing evaluation. Very few people detail their car every day, or keep it spotless every day. If a weekly wash is all that is done, the buildup will not be reduced.

……so you’re basically saying that someone who garages their car during the week, only to take their car out on the weekend will have just as many contaminants on the surface of the paint as a guy who uses his car every day for a 1 hour commute (in heavy traffic) and parks near a rail yard? …..I guess don’t get it. My disagreement was in regard to your comment about a claybar being “absolutely necessary” twice a year. It will depend on a number of factors and will greatly depend on the products you use and how the finish is maintained throughout the year.

Originally Posted by REXtard04

The full benefit of a good wax job can only come from a properly prepped surface (whether using cleaner wax or a claybar).

…..no argument from me there.

Originally Posted by REXtard04

For most people, who really only wax their car 2-3 times a year, removal of the buildup IS necessary.

…..again, depends on a number of factors. In this case, more so in regard to the types of products you use and IF there is build up to remove. I garage my WRX for most of the week these days and have shortened my washing schedule to every other week in most cases. I will still add a layer of wax/sealant (depending on the product/system I’m using) about every 3 months and considering the condition my finish has been in (i.e. smooth & shiny), it looks like I will be able to cut down my “full detail” (clay, polish(es), sealant, wax) to once a year. Frankly, I just don’t get the “build up” of contaminants I used to when the car was my daily driver.

…..the following is an excellent article explaining clay, its uses, a little history, benefits and limitations:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html

….and here’s another neat article explaining quick detailing to help extend your washing intervals and get after some of those nasty contaminants before they have time to imbed themselves in your finish:
http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detai...detailing.html

[EnterTheDragon]

Originally Posted by REXtard04

What synthetic waxes are out there that will last as long as a good carnuba wax? Of course if you couple the two together, the durability and life-span will be better, but a snythetic by itself? I have never heard a good review of a synthetic being used by itself, and doing anything more than making the color shine better.

are you kidding me? Sealants last farrrr longer than carnubas

[REXtard04]

Originally Posted by EnterTheDragon

are you kidding me? Sealants last farrrr longer than carnubas

Are YOU kidding? The mention of sealants isn't anywhere in what I said....it's about WAX. Learn to read before you type out a failed attempt at arguing. Anyone who has detailed a car will KNOW that a sealant will last much longer than any wax will.

Kean, where did I say that two different situations would provide the SAME amount of buildup on a car? I didn't....but you seem to know more about what I'm saying than I do. It IS necessary to remove it for prepping (which you gladly agreed to) no matter how much is present.

As for the synthetics, I should have clarified the use of what most people buy at AutoZone or Advance, being Meguiars NXT or something similar (due to their ease of use)....they SUCK! I can't argue one bit with your statement with higher quality products like Zaino or Klasse.

[Hines]

Originally Posted by REXtard04

As for the synthetics, I should have clarified the use of what most people buy at AutoZone or Advance, being Meguiars NXT or something similar (due to their ease of use)....they SUCK! I can't argue one bit with your statement with higher quality products like Zaino or Klasse.

Sealants are often referred to as synthetics. because they are a synthetic wax. i think your terminology confused a few of us that are particularly anal about detailing.......LOL

[Kean]

Originally Posted by REXtard04

Are YOU kidding? The mention of sealants isn't anywhere in what I said....it's about WAX. Learn to read before you type out a failed attempt at arguing. Anyone who has detailed a car will KNOW that a sealant will last much longer than any wax will.

Kean, where did I say that two different situations would provide the SAME amount of buildup on a car? I didn't....but you seem to know more about what I'm saying than I do. It IS necessary to remove it for prepping (which you gladly agreed to) no matter how much is present.

As for the synthetics, I should have clarified the use of what most people buy at AutoZone or Advance, being Meguiars NXT or something similar (due to their ease of use)....they SUCK! I can't argue one bit with your statement with higher quality products like Zaino or Klasse.

.....just wow.

What do you think Klasse AIO/SG, Zaino, NXT, and other similar products share in common? ……..they are considered “synthetics”. They can also be referred to as sealants. Your previous comments about these types of products were broad and uninformed:

Also, as stated, for a phenominal finish, use a polish before you apply the wax, and when you wax, apply TWO coats of good wax, none of these synthetic dirt magnets.

What synthetic waxes are out there that will last as long as a good carnuba wax? Of course if you couple the two together, the durability and life-span will be better, but a snythetic by itself? I have never heard a good review of a synthetic being used by itself, and doing anything more than making the color shine better.

…..I quoted you directly so there’s no misunderstanding.

As for prep, you obviously missed my point (both times).

[smurfwrx]

synthetics, in my experience, last nowhere near as long as a good carnuba. I use a carnuba base, buff, and use a synthetic second coat. I will say that the synthetics (at least the one's I've used) tend to give a better shine but absolutely DO NOT last as long. That's why I use them as a second/final coat. I can't believe I'm hearing some of you actually think the synthetics last longer. If you're talking about shine, fine... I'd agree a snythetic can shine better but if you're talking about actually protecting your paint with a good wax, I fear you are dreadfully deluded.