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

[EyeTrip]

Just don't use the clay bar when it's hot.

Just wash the car, clay bar and then wax. Works great, You will be amazed.

[PeeGreen 914]

The bars work very well. However, be sure to use them on cool paint and make sure to keep it wet. It's basically like wet sanding so don't press hard. I have all black cars... other than my 914... and the bars help with my damn cats tracks.

[tod914]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot and see how it turns out. Just deciding on a good wax now. The PS21 is very good, but doesn't last long. Trying to find a clear/white
wax so it doesn't tint the paint.

[jgara962]

I clay bared my car last year, after reading a lot about it and how important it was to do, the results weren't as dramatic as I had hoped. I may do it again this year and see how it turns out.

For wax, I've always liked Zymol. After you apply it and buff it out, spray it with a mist of cool water and buff it again. It really brings out a great shine.

[davep]

Where do you get the clay bars, and what price do you pay. Can't seem to find them locally.

[TedK]

When I bought my 911 the front fenders had overspray on them from a cheap paint job the seller had done for the front bumper. You couldn't see anything but you could feel it with your hand. Clay barred the fenders and they came out shiny and smooth. I get my stuff from Griot's Garage.com.

[auerbach]

I second that comment. Superb customer service.

[dw914er]

will the bars affect the paint if it isnt completly smooth? I havnt color sanded the car yet so the paint isnt perfect.

should i colorsand the car first, or would claybar still be ok?

[TedK]

I'm no expert, but I think the clay bars are for finished paint surfaces only. Without a finished surface you might have trouble sliding the bar around even with lubricant. Never tried it so I could be wrong.

[914forme]

Griot's Clay bar & Speed shine, worth the dollars as it works the way he says it will. The others I have had mixed results with. I have found it is cheaper in the long run to get the better product and use it right than , be driven by the price point and have frustrations with the end results.

Keep it all of them lubed otherwise they will stick and leave behind a film that is almost impossible to get off. the cheap stuff does it way faster than a pro-product.

Clay will work on all painted finishes. I would not use it on a pebbled finish or something like that, but a standard auto-top coat will be fine. You will notice a difference one you are done.

[tod914]

Should I return the Mequires and go with Griots do you think?

[TedK]

You are now entering the realm of opinion.....I stick with Griot's for all the reasons mentioned above, I'm still using a bar I bought years ago so if you keep the Meguires you may be stuck with it for a while.

Ted K

[Pat Garvey]

I clay bared my car last year, after reading a lot about it and how important it was to do, the results weren't as dramatic as I had hoped. I may do it again this year and see how it turns out.

For wax, I've always liked Zymol. After you apply it and buff it out, spray it with a mist of cool water and buff it again. It really brings out a great shine.

Concur (no pun) with Zymol. Except I follow up with Meguiars Final Inspection, but that's just my witches brew.

I've been "into" cars since the mid 60's (the Simoniz days), and everyone had a distinct "thing" after polishing/waxing. On my very first "my own" car, a 1960 Dodge 318, I sprayed it (a very big car) with ice water immediately after waxing a panel. Seemed to work nicely with the waxes of the time. Everyone has a tale.
Pat

[orthobiz]

Do not use clay on painted wheels.

biz

[Pat Garvey]

Do not use clay on painted wheels.

biz

Why?

I've done it with no negative effect.
Pat

[jgara962]

I clay bared my car last year, after reading a lot about it and how important it was to do, the results weren't as dramatic as I had hoped. I may do it again this year and see how it turns out.

For wax, I've always liked Zymol. After you apply it and buff it out, spray it with a mist of cool water and buff it again. It really brings out a great shine.

Concur (no pun) with Zymol. Except I follow up with Meguiars Final Inspection, but that's just my witches brew.

I've been "into" cars since the mid 60's (the Simoniz days), and everyone had a distinct "thing" after polishing/waxing. On my very first "my own" car, a 1960 Dodge 318, I sprayed it (a very big car) with ice water immediately after waxing a panel. Seemed to work nicely with the waxes of the time. Everyone has a tale.
Pat

After doing the clay bar and waxing, I was DONE! I was hot, sweaty, and my arm hurt. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I saw recently on a Meguiars Car Care commercial, that you should clay bar, use a cleaner, and then I final coat of wax. Sounds right, but a lot of work.

I used the Meguiars clay bar which can be found at any local FLAPS.

[tod914]

Seems like a real lot of work. I only want to do it once. I'll try the Mequires in
a small section and see what kind of results I get and go from there. Car is comming along nicely. I'll post some pics when I get a chance of the progress.

Thanks for the tips fellers

[PeeGreen 914]

Meguires is a very well respected company for DIYers. There are better products out there, but you really need to know what you're doing when you use it. Zymol is about the best wax you can buy. Griots is okay if you like paying more for a relabled product. They do have some nice things and they make redily available car care tools that are hard to get at a local flaps. But it is just Mothers relabled. Mothers is a good product as well, but I like maguires better.

[Ferg]

Just did this last night on the 911, with Meguiars.

The car was recently (well 3 years ago) completely painted, but I suspect it sat at the shop, as all the top surfaces had what feels like overspray. You could not see anything just feel it...

I did two complete clay applications, and a ton of "stuff" ended up on the bar. Paint is baby butt smooth now.

Ran out of time for wax, but plan on the Meguairs cleaner wax and then a final coat of their Tech Wax. (Not used it yet, figured I'd give it a shot).

Ferg
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