Clay bars for cleaning, whats your experience with them. Options

[tod914]

Just got done with the interior on the 74 car. Pulled it all out and completely cleaned it. Car has been buffed with a combination of PS21 cleaner and Mequire's scratch
remover. Really turned out nice. I picked up the Mequire's clay bar system too. What has been your experiences using them? Is it worth the effort? I gather once it's cleaned with the bar, you just apply wax or does other prep work need to be done to get the clay residue off (if any)?

Thanks

Tod

[turboman808]

I've been trying to learn more and more about car detailing this year.

Griots just makes the best stuff. Others work but if you just want to buy the best all around stuff then griots is kinda a buy and don't think to much choice cause it works.

Griots also has the cheapest clay bar since they sell it in a larger tub.



To me clay baring a car is just taking it that one step further and you are also less likely to cause any swirl or haze when you begin to polish and wax the car.

May as well let the cat out of the bag......

Do do not need to wax your car. For the most part companies still sell wax because when we think of car care we automatically think of waxing.

Wax doesn't do much to protect the car and cleaner waxes are even worse. A cleaner wax will last about one month. In extreme heat it won't last a week.

What you would be better off using is a paint sealant. Now they say you lose some of the shine with a paint sealant. Anyone who can tell the difference between a paint sealant and a wax as far as the shine must have some sort of light reflecting meter in there eyeballs.

A paint selaant apllied every 6 months should always leave your car protected and looking good.

Use good microfiber towel and polishing cloths to clean. When drying it's real handy to use a leaf blower. Gets most of the car off without you having to touch the paint surface.



You can go to Griots Garage website and they have several videos you can watch. With big orders they throw in there car detailing dvd. I plan to order there machine polishing system really soon.


One huge bonus for me learning how to detail cars really well is I have alot of friends with really nice exotic cars that are to lazy to do it themselves. They give me there car for a weekend if I detail it. Z4 last week, viper 6 weeks ago, 750li next week. Great way to get to try all these different cars out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


edit.....

I couldn't think of the name before since I just got it for myself. Wolfgang paint sealant is the best sealant wax I have seen. Protects like a sealant with the shine of a wax.

http://auto-geek.net/video/wolfgang/wolfgang.html