Clay bar questions

[WeeHooker]

I've done some searching here and have found some general guidance on clay barring but still have a few questions.


1) My clay bar, is 3-4 years old but previously used only to do a hood on my Tacoma. ( I gave up as it wasn't doing much. I must have been doing something wrong). Does this stuff dry out? should I get a new one?

2) What to use for lubricant? Should I use detailing spray or just soap and water?

3) Should I leave the clay in the bar shape it came in or flatten it out for better surface coverage?

4) Do you use any pressure on the bar?

5) Any good online tutorials that i should check out?

Thanks in advance.
I'm going to try cleaning the winter crud off her this weekend.

[tegrady]

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

1) Does this stuff dry out? should I get a new one?

I'd say as long as it's still pliable it's fine. Just make sure it's been sealed up so that there's no sand in it!

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

2) What to use for lubricant? Should I use detailing spray or just soap and water?

I always use detailing spray

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

3) Should I leave the clay in the bar shape it came in or flatten it out for better surface coverage?

Tear it into smaller pieces and flatten it out. That way if you drop it, you didn't waste the whole thing. And you can get rid of it as it gets contaminated.

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

4) Do you use any pressure on the bar?

Nope, just enough to keep it on the paint

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

5) Any good online tutorials that i should check out?

Here's a link to a tutorial and video from the 8th Generation Civic site.

CLAYBAR TUTORIAL! *Q&A* *VIDEO* - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum

[Mylt1]

as long as its like it was when you bought it you should be fine. detailing spray of your choice, i use it as it comes, i use enough pressure so it does its job(about the same amount of pressure as if you were applying wax), go slow and use plenty of detailing spray and do one section at a time.

[HKYStormFront]

Originally Posted by Mylt1

as long as its like it was when you bought it you should be fine. detailing spray of your choice, i use it as it comes, i use enough pressure so it does its job(about the same amount of pressure as if you were applying wax), go slow and use plenty of detailing spray and do one section at a time.

^^^ what he said

[cctmobiledetail]

I've got clay thats years old, as long as you remove debris from it by folding it in on itself after it's full it'll be fine. I do normally buy clay about twice a year , but I also detail 300-400 cars a year, too. As far as lubricant.....I clay every car I detail ( 4400+ Cars in 15 years) I only use soap and water and in fact clay each section as I wash it ... so wet the car, soap the left side of the hood, clay the soaped part, then resoap over the clayed part to keep streaking from happening, then move on to the next section of the car, go all the way around the car soaping , claying and resoaping until finished, then rinse and dry.

You can buy lubricant, but one that's an uneeded cost and two takes two long...I can wash and clay a nissan truck in 15 minutes or less.

Also remember that all clay does is smooth paint, it doesn't remove oxidation, or scratches, etc.. I know a lot of people think it does miracles on paint, and it just does not. Clay was invented by the japanese over 20 years ago to remove industrial fallout from their cars being in such a heavy metal fallout area of Tokyo. So basically deep clean the road crap and airbourne stuff off.

I also know people want to use it for tree sap, etc. ....don't bother, again it takes too long.....use laquer thinner or acetone and a rag and the sap melts away in seconds in fact any paint transfer from whatever be it the side of the garage you hit, or a pole some where, maybe a scuff ..use thinner and it'll come right off, then just put your favorite polish over the thined part and your done.

Also know their are several grades of clay from light clay, medium clay, finnish clay, cutting clay, overspray clay. I use overspray clay because it covers all aspects and gets the most off fast. I also machine buff every car, so no need to have lesser grades for me.

Normally you should only clay your vehicle at the most twice a year and follow with a wax or polish after claying ( clay strips wax ). You can wax or polish more than that but you won't need to clay everytime.

Hope this helps !

[WeeHooker]

Excellent info Gents!! Just what i was looking for. The video helps allot too. ( I see what I did wrong the last time)

FWIW, The clay I have seems "OK" as it's not hard or anythingbut it was never (as memory serves) real pliable either. (It came in a mothers gold Class kit).
I'll try breaking it up and kneeding it tonight. Idf there's any doubt, I'll run out tomorrow and buy some new one.

Two last questions and I'm read to dive in:

I should use dishwashing detergent in the initial wash to strip the wax, Correct? ( I use turtle wax car wash normally)

I assume this stuff is safe to use on the painted 9not chrome) plastic bumpers, door handles etc?

[cctmobiledetail]

Originally Posted by WeeHooker

Excellent info Gents!! Just what i was looking for. The video helps allot too. ( I see what I did wrong the last time)

FWIW, The clay I have seems "OK" as it's not hard or anythingbut it was never (as memory serves) real pliable either. (It came in a mothers gold Class kit).
I'll try breaking it up and kneeding it tonight. Idf there's any doubt, I'll run out tomorrow and buy some new one.

Two last questions and I'm read to dive in:

I should use dishwashing detergent in the initial wash to strip the wax, Correct? ( I use turtle wax car wash normally)

I assume this stuff is safe to use on the painted 9not chrome) plastic bumpers, door handles etc?

Do NOT use dishwashing detergent, use only car soap, any kind as long as it's car soap.

Clay is for metal and glass, I'd stay off plastic door handles, etc...