Clay bar usage............

[dkryan]

For those of you who use a clay bar to prep the paint before polishing/waxing, are you finding the hood, roof, and trunk to be the areas most in need of claying?

I detailed my MIL's new 2009 Civic yesterday (and I should have clayed it first) but I did not really feel any "garbage" in the doors and side panels.

 

[demarpaint]

Yes I just did a full size E series Ford Van, and any horizontal surface usually is in most need of clay. That has been my observation in the past with other vehicles as well.

 

[Nederlander75]

That is what I find every time as well.

 

[UNC197]

Sediment will have a higher probability of landing and sticking to a horizontal surface compared to a vertical surface.

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: CharlieJ
Sediment will have a higher probability of landing and sticking to a horizontal surface compared to a vertical surface.


+1

All kinds of stuff sticks to horizontal surfaces - tree sap, bug droppings, paint overspray, industrial fall out, who knows what all that crusty crud is.

 

[XS650]

The front surfaces too, micro crud that hits front surfaces gets embedded in the paint. Your windshield too.

 

[buster]

Where can you buy clay bars without having to buy the kit that includes the detail spray? (Mother's etc.)

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

I've used a claybar on the windshield with great results ( after the bugs were left too long on the windshield, during a hot summer week).

 

[wapacz]

Originally Posted By: buster
Where can you buy clay bars without having to buy the kit that includes the detail spray? (Mother's etc.)


You could try automotive paint supply shops. Other than that I think you are stuck getting it off the internet.

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: wapacz
Originally Posted By: buster
Where can you buy clay bars without having to buy the kit that includes the detail spray? (Mother's etc.)


You could try automotive paint supply shops. Other than that I think you are stuck getting it off the internet.


Many auto paint & body supply stores will carry it (or can order it) but their prices are usually high.

I'd buy it online. Phil at Detailers Domain has a good price on it: http://www.detailersdomain.com/uberblueclaybar.aspx

He's in Norwood, NJ so you should get it quickly.

 

[FiremarshalRob]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Originally Posted By: CharlieJ
Sediment will have a higher probability of landing and sticking to a horizontal surface compared to a vertical surface.


+1

All kinds of stuff sticks to horizontal surfaces - tree sap, bug droppings, paint overspray, industrial fall out, who knows what all that crusty crud is.

+2
I've been using AutoZone's blue clay magic bar for a couple of years. I like it and the price.

RL

 

[dkryan]

Shouldn't you use the spray lubricant each time you use a clay bar?

If so, it sounds as though some folks are running out of clay before they run out of clay bar lubricant. Is that common?

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

A clay bar properly lubed and used on a clean car will last a long time. For me, the one bottle of lube that comes with the clay lasts just about one car. I've gone to Zaino car wash, one or two capfuls in a 16 oz sprayer of purified water for a great lube. I suspect most good quality car washes mixed in a much greater concentration would work well.

 

[dkryan]

Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
I've gone to Zaino car wash, one or two capfuls in a 16 oz sprayer of purified water for a great lube. I suspect most good quality car washes mixed in a much greater concentration would work well.


Interesting...........!

 

[FiremarshalRob]

ONR mixed in a sprayer with water works well too.

 

[BigNick]

Skip the lube!
Wash the car first. Empty bucket, and fill again, but use extra soap (about 3x you usually use). Use soapy water as the lubricant! MUCH faster and just as effective, and rinses right off (no rubbing!)

Has worked well for me for years! Only use the lube when doing small areas such as front bumper bugs in between major details.

Autozone's Clay Magic/Blue Magic is great stuff.. and actually the cheapest!

 

[dkryan]

Thanks, guys, for the advice!

 

[BennyRS]

For the most part I have found that the top hood and trunk lid do collect more junk. One car I had would collect alot more junk on the left hand side for some reason, I never could figure out why.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I just started the twice-a-year process and have clayed the hood and front fenders, and trunk and rear fenders, over two days. Yes, the hood and trunk were the worst; the fenders produced very little embedded dirt. The roof and the doors are on the schedule for next weekend.

Benny, I'd expect that since we drive on the right here in the US, that cars passing us to our left (or going by on a two-lane road) would throw up a certain amount of contaminants, more than would land on the right.

 

[joel95ex]

yes,,, all horizontal surfaces and tailgates/rear bumpers are where all of the fallout settles.... and bakes on... clay bars are the secret to a smooth and easy wax job.