Has anyone used a process on their paint (either the FGT or other cars/trucks) called clay bar? I bought a kit to use on an older car to smooth the paint but am concerned about abrasive scratching.
thanks
AJB
thanks
AJB
Clay Bar Process
- Thread starter AJB
- Start date
shelbyelite
PERMANENTLY BANNED
- May 10, 2007
- 1
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
fjpikul
GT Owner
I use it all the time. Just make sure the surface is always wet while you do it. Do small areas. Make sure car is clean before doing it. YOu might go to the Zaino boys website and get an idea. Paint is fabulous after you're done and ready for waxing. Really glass smooth.
Kelly-X1
Ex GT Owner (Temporarily)
What timing, I just did my car 2 days ago, the first time I'd used clay. It is amazing how many little "things" you'll find when you inspect the car inch by inch as you do the clay. Definately set aside several hours with good light and if you can get the car off the ground a foot or so, it'll save your back. I was really happy with the way it came out, although if I was located close to a pro detailer, I might pay the bucks next time, I'm sure they could do better than I.
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
The only significant comment that I can share is "always" be folding.
Meaning work the clay until soft in your hands and then use it on a small section of the cleaned surface and then constantly fold the clay over itself producing the next clean clay surface to use. Keep the surface wet/lubricated and it does "not" take any real pressure.
Lastly; if I am doing a complete gal then at the end of the process the clay is tossed.
Takes care
Shadowman
Meaning work the clay until soft in your hands and then use it on a small section of the cleaned surface and then constantly fold the clay over itself producing the next clean clay surface to use. Keep the surface wet/lubricated and it does "not" take any real pressure.
Lastly; if I am doing a complete gal then at the end of the process the clay is tossed.
Takes care
Shadowman
S592R
GT Owner
- Dec 3, 2006
- 2,800
+1
Zaino makes a good bar as does Meguiars. I use Meguiars final touch as a lubricant. You can order it by the gallon fairly inexpensive that way. Then go to Target and get a 6 oz spray bottle in the "cosmetics" area of the store. Makes the whole process easy and then you can toss the small bottle in the trunk (in a kit with a few microfiber clothes) to use to clean the car when you stop after a drive. Does wonders.... really.
cobrar1339
GT Owner
Couple other notes:
There are many versions of Clay. This was a cult and detailers secret for a long time. In my old job this is a product I brought over to the mainstream retail market. It still has not reached it's potential. But once you use clay you are hooked for life.
Tough Jobs on drivers - I like the Original Clay Magic Product. It's a blue bar. Perfect for the avg. DIY customer. A bit more aggressive than Meguiars or Zaino. THis product can be used with some soapy solution if you run out of lube spray. They do not sell replacment lube spray. Eagle one makes a lite detail spray that works well for this an is the cheapest one on the shelf. Do not use meguiars or the eagle nano product for this purpose.
Zaino and Meguiars Clay are finer mixtures. - They don't remove stuff as quick as the original, I would stay with these though for dark colors. However They tend to be less forgiving when you don't have enough lube spray. Not afraid to use either one. Zaino.com is mail order only the other two are available retail. Note: this one is also less forgiving is you were to use it with a soapy solution, too much soap and it comes apart. Too little and it sticks to the paint. Not hard to correct and won't hurt anything. Either work fine with the Eagle One detail spray above or the Zaino purple and white bottle detail sprays.
Like Shadowman said keep folding. No heavy pressure. You will hear it work if there is fallout on the car. When it stops making noise it's clean. If you drop it on the ground, inspect it and fold it or, just toss it. It will pick up what was on the floor and you will be rubbing that into your paint. :eek
I break the bar in half as there is plenty to do a car. If I drop it, I have back up. I bag the used bar for use on the race car to remove tire marks and for wheels.
To see if you need clay - take a sandwich baggie, put it over your finger tips and rub gently across clean paint. You will feel bumps you could not feel with your bare hand. If you have bumps you need clay, try it on a clean driver that is outdoors alot. You will feel the difference.
The job is really easy and mostly a top surface job. The sides of the doors and fenders are normally pretty clean already. It's the fallout from trees, smog , overspray you are trying to get off.
Once clean, the wax job is many times easier as the wax comes off very , very easy.
Tip :For you dark color car guys, Zaino has some pretty sexy detail spray, works on all colors but on darks and reds it's stunning. It's called Grand Finale. I think Dr Frank knows this product. His red paint always seams to glow. :thumbsup
Tip: Also want to pimp Barry's ( Meguiars) interior detail :thumbsup. This stuff leaves the finish like OEM. Nothing else like it that I have ever tried and I get tons of free samples to try every year from vendors. Also comes in Wipes.
There are many versions of Clay. This was a cult and detailers secret for a long time. In my old job this is a product I brought over to the mainstream retail market. It still has not reached it's potential. But once you use clay you are hooked for life.
Tough Jobs on drivers - I like the Original Clay Magic Product. It's a blue bar. Perfect for the avg. DIY customer. A bit more aggressive than Meguiars or Zaino. THis product can be used with some soapy solution if you run out of lube spray. They do not sell replacment lube spray. Eagle one makes a lite detail spray that works well for this an is the cheapest one on the shelf. Do not use meguiars or the eagle nano product for this purpose.
Zaino and Meguiars Clay are finer mixtures. - They don't remove stuff as quick as the original, I would stay with these though for dark colors. However They tend to be less forgiving when you don't have enough lube spray. Not afraid to use either one. Zaino.com is mail order only the other two are available retail. Note: this one is also less forgiving is you were to use it with a soapy solution, too much soap and it comes apart. Too little and it sticks to the paint. Not hard to correct and won't hurt anything. Either work fine with the Eagle One detail spray above or the Zaino purple and white bottle detail sprays.
Like Shadowman said keep folding. No heavy pressure. You will hear it work if there is fallout on the car. When it stops making noise it's clean. If you drop it on the ground, inspect it and fold it or, just toss it. It will pick up what was on the floor and you will be rubbing that into your paint. :eek
I break the bar in half as there is plenty to do a car. If I drop it, I have back up. I bag the used bar for use on the race car to remove tire marks and for wheels.
To see if you need clay - take a sandwich baggie, put it over your finger tips and rub gently across clean paint. You will feel bumps you could not feel with your bare hand. If you have bumps you need clay, try it on a clean driver that is outdoors alot. You will feel the difference.
The job is really easy and mostly a top surface job. The sides of the doors and fenders are normally pretty clean already. It's the fallout from trees, smog , overspray you are trying to get off.
Once clean, the wax job is many times easier as the wax comes off very , very easy.
Tip :For you dark color car guys, Zaino has some pretty sexy detail spray, works on all colors but on darks and reds it's stunning. It's called Grand Finale. I think Dr Frank knows this product. His red paint always seams to glow. :thumbsup
Tip: Also want to pimp Barry's ( Meguiars) interior detail :thumbsup. This stuff leaves the finish like OEM. Nothing else like it that I have ever tried and I get tons of free samples to try every year from vendors. Also comes in Wipes.
Apollo
GT Owner
Hi Andy,
As Shadowman said, and another rule I learned, if you drop the bar and it hits the ground in mid detail, throw it out and use a new chunk of clay.
TC
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
fjpikul
GT Owner
Great - thank you ! Good to hear from everyone...I will try it on the older car first....
Then maybe the GT. With my Midnight Blue Paint, I am always
nervous about anything that looks or smells like it could cause
even small, abrasive scratches in the paint surface.
I bought the "Mothers" kit so that is what I will try.
It does very clearly say "if you drop it, just Throw it away! do not use"
Thanks again.
AJB (andy)
Then maybe the GT. With my Midnight Blue Paint, I am always
nervous about anything that looks or smells like it could cause
even small, abrasive scratches in the paint surface.
I bought the "Mothers" kit so that is what I will try.
It does very clearly say "if you drop it, just Throw it away! do not use"
Thanks again.
AJB (andy)
