How do I use a clay bar?

crimson

crimson

New member
Today I was hyped, I took off of work and had all day to give my car a complete detail. I had all the steps ready; Wash car, use clay bar, wash again, continue with the polishes and wax.



All was going well until I took out the clay bar, lubricated the area of my car with the included lubricant, and put the clay on my car. I felt...nothing. I tried stretching the clay out, rolling it in a ball, applying it from the left to right, applying different amount of pressure, kneading it, wiping it, everything. And nothing seemed to work. I read the instructions in the Mother's clay kit. And all the clay seemed to do was push the QD around, I didn't notice it pick up anything. I tried for over 30 minutes but to no avail I had no results.



Is there a method to claying? Please type in a response! All information is greatly appreciated!
 
I hope you didn't put too much pressure on the clay. Perhaps, your car didn't need clay. Most particles, ferrous material, is not really that noticeable. How was the surface after claying? If it was very smooth, then you did fine. If the clay was going over the surface and you didn't feel or hear anything, then your surface could have been pretty clean to begin with. Only on really poor sufaces will you actually hear a gritty sound being picked up. When I clay and it feels smooth, I know there may only be a few areas that really need the clay.

Next time, after washing, feel your hood with your fingertips. If you feel any area that is rough, then clay. If the area is really smooth, then go to polish and protectant.



I think your expectations differed from what clay does. My only precaution is to not put too much pressure on the clay. Allow it to work by its own action.



Goodluck,

R Regan
 
Thanks for the response.



My paint is in good condition, except for the many swirl marks there's really no obstructions on the paint. But the paint did feel smoother went I went over it. I guess my expectaions were to high. Already washed my car a second time before I made this thread.



Well...on to the polishing and waxing :)
 
I agree with WCD your paint probably didn't need claying. Another good thing to use in place of your clay bar (I use a clay bar for smaller jobs) is a good prewax cleaner. I recommend Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. It's step 1 of the 3-step Deep Crystal System.
 
metload1 said:
I agree with WCD your paint probably didn't need claying. Another good thing to use in place of your clay bar (I use a clay bar for smaller jobs) is a good prewax cleaner. I recommend Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. It's step 1 of the 3-step Deep Crystal System.
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Agreed.:up
 
metload1 said:
I agree with WCD your paint probably didn't need claying. Another good thing to use in place of your clay bar (I use a clay bar for smaller jobs) is a good prewax cleaner. I recommend Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. It's step 1 of the 3-step Deep Crystal System.
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Funny you should say that...I already bought Meg's Deep Crystal Step-1 and 2, along with a bottle of NXT last week. I just parked the car in tha garage and waiting for the finish to cool down from being in the sun. I post up pics later tonight :xyxthumbs
 
with reference to the deep crystal 3 step products...what is the equivalent of it in the professional range?
 
I just finished applying all the waxes, a total of 4.5 hours. I'm pleased with the results but, I still have swirl marks. I guess later on down the line I'll use a buffer, but until then my car looks better than it ever has!



I'll post pics soon in the Click and Brag section.
 
luke667 said:
with reference to the deep crystal 3 step products...what is the equivalent of it in the professional range?
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Consumer -> Professional/Mirror Glaze:



Step 1 Paint Cleaner -> MPPC (or maybe #9)

Step 2 Polish -> #7 (or #81)

Step 3 Carnuaba wax -> #26



Back in the fall I used the DC steps 1,2,3 and thought the results were good, didn't overly wow me but I was still impressed. Then a few weeks later I used #9/#7/#26 on my other car and was blown away at how much better that turned out. The #7/#26 combo made it so deep and wet, it was the first real DIY detailing experience that sold me on this whole Autopian obsession/lifestyle. :D
 
Crimson said:
I just finished applying all the waxes, a total of 4.5 hours. I'm pleased with the results but, I still have swirl marks. I guess later on down the line I'll use a buffer, but until then my car looks better than it ever has!



I'll post pics soon in the Click and Brag section.
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You still have swirls because Deep Crystal 1 isn't very abrasive at all, so nothing you used had any real swirl correcting ability. But there's always next time! :xyxthumbs



As far as I know, DCS 1 doesn't really have a Mirror Glaze equivalent product because it's milder than both MPPC and #9. Pre-wax cleaners tend to be that way - easy to use, but with corresponding gentleness so that Joe Average doesn't mess up.
 
DCS 1 is most similar to Fine Cut Cleaner (#2), but I'd guess it isn't exactly the same. I'm sure Mike Phillips can clear it up for you.
 
Crimson said:
..My paint is in good condition, except for the many swirl marks there's really no obstructions on the paint. But the paint did feel smoother went I went over it.
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Aha, that part about "did feel smoother" is what's known as a clue ;) That shows that your paint DID need clayed, you were just picking up contaminants that were too fine to be obvious. As far as the "just pushing QD around", that sounds *GOOD*- you WANT to be VERY gentle when you clay. As WCD said, you don't want to put pressure on it.



Sounds like you did the right thing and did it properly :xyxthumbs
 
I was doing it right huh...well that sucks.



Anyway I've got all next week of Spring Break, and a paycheck coming in this Friday. So I'll be doing some more shopping. I guess I could re-clay, but all 4.5 hours of waxing would have been for nothing.



I think I'll just buy some stronger products and coat them on top of the NXT, put another coat of NXT on, and coat that with the Mother's Carnauba wax that came with the clay kit...yeah, that sounds good.
 
Crimson.....I am doing a BMW in Davidson on thurs.....send me a PM with your phone # and I'll be glad to show you some "tricks" with clay...Terry
 
Crimson said:
I was doing it right huh...well that sucks.
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What area of the car were you claying? Was it the roof, hood, trunk etc. If it was up high on the car you might not have noticed much.



I say try a lower panel, either below the door by the wheels or in the front. If you have driven the car at all you will get some dirt in the clay(after washing of course).
 
Terry said:
Crimson.....I am doing a BMW in Davidson on thurs.....send me a PM with your phone # and I'll be glad to show you some "tricks" with clay...Terry
Click to expand...

Hey thanks, I shot you a PM.



What area of the car were you claying? Was it the roof, hood, trunk etc. If it was up high on the car you might not have noticed much.
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I was doing my rear spoiler of my Camaro, it never occured to me that lower body panels would have more grunge in the paint.
 
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