clay tips

[nicholas]

Hi guru's

I am going to clay my mazda this afternoon - I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I understand the how to's---- but insider tips are always welcome.

I have some rail dust, and environmental fallout on the lower portion of the car - I am hoping the clay will take it off.

cheers

 

[XS650]

Keep it lubed with the recommended lube and don't let the area you are working dry out.

Throw the clay away if you drop it on the ground.

If you want to do a really good job, put a baggie over your hand and gently wipe your hand over the area that you have just finished. It will greatly magnify the feel of any crud left in the paint.

If you want to cut windshield glare and make your wipers work better, clay bar your windshield too. When you rub a baggie over a lubed windshield that is a few years old it feels like sandpaper because of all the micro crud embedded in the glass. Be aware that it takes several time longer to properly clay bar a windshield than it does an equivalent area of paint.

 

[bretfraz]

Yup, agree with XS650. Claying isn't hard to do, just follow a couple key steps and you'll be fine.

If you gets some clay-induced marring on the paint, a little bit of light polish will remove it. If you plan to polish your car after claying, don't worry about it.

Claying is fun to do and doesn't take all day. You'll find polishing and waxing to be much easier once the car is clayed.

 

[nicholas]

thanx

 

[mpvue]

agreed on all points. I 1st clayed my cars last year, and I'm an idiot when it comes to appearance care. your wax job will be SO much easier.

 

[KrisZ]

One more thing that hasn't been mentioned is do one panel at a time and don't let the clay lube dry on the paint.
It sounds obvious but it's probably one of the most common mistakes (weater it's waxing, polishing or claying) and it causes a lot of extra work to correct.

 

[sprintman]

baggie?

 

[moribundman]

Or cellophane.

 

[sprintman]

Which clay do I buy? Want the best

 

[moribundman]

I don't know which one is the best. I started using Clay Magic when it became popular in Japan in the '90s, and that's what I am still using.

 

[sprintman]

OK thanks I'll have a look for it....s

 

[bretfraz]

Originally Posted By: sprintman
Which clay do I buy? Want the best


Here in the US, one company holds the patent for automotive paint detailing clay. Clay Magic's parent company is the patent holder. Pretty much every US supplier buys clay from them and repackages it, or pays a royalty.

I'd imagine the variety of clay bars in Oz would be a bit better than the US. If I find a product suggestion, I'll pass it along.

 

[bretfraz]

Australian suppliers:

http://www.waxit.com.au/products.asp?cat=3

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/products/all_brands/exterior/clay_bars_and_kits?page=1

 

[RTexasF]

Cut the clay bar into three pieces prior to starting. It will be easier to handle in the smaller size once flattened out. If you drop it you still have two more pieces available.

 

[sprintman]

Thanks again. Good info..s

 

[02zx9r]

so basically if you drop the clay bar you are screwed? If there is dirt can you cut those little pieces out and reshape it? Just asking as I have never used a clay bar but want to

 

[doitmyself]

Get a grain of sand in there and you are screwed.

And.......it's not "if it falls to the ground" it's "when it falls to the ground". That pesky clay is a slippery bugger and just when you are going good, a slight mental lapse will result in it popping out of your hand with the resulting "oh poop".

Focus, man, focus!

 

[kkreit01]

Yep -- what others are saying. I did my lower panels this Spring. It was much faster than using a "bug&tar" remover. Your paint will feel as smooth as a babie's bottom. Just use a lot of lube (most come with it). You can use any Quick Detailer as a lube (if you run out).

1. Spray a section with lube.
2. Spray lube on your clay
3. Flatten clay, and start gently rubbing back and forth.
4. Wipe that section with a clean MF towel.
5. Keep repeating until whole car (or desired) sections are complete.

The Blue Clay Magic kits can be found at Autozones. Mother's kit can be found a WalMarts (or almost anywhere). Both are good. I've read more negative about Meg's kit. There are numerous mail order options.

 

[wapacz]

yep definitely cut it into a few pieces. I got most of my truck done and ended up dropping it. So i had to drive back to the store to find out that they only sell the clay bar in a kit with the lube.


I have used both the blue magic and the mothers. If I remember right the blue magic felt like it grabbed stuff better.

 

[XS650]

wapacx, you can buy clay bars without the price increasing lube if you order them online.

If you have a spare bar, the probability of dropping the one you are using is greatly reduced.