My Daughter's '96 Mustang is in need of the Clay Bar treatment. I've personally never used one before...any helpful tips on which Brands you guys prefer would be helpful.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Never used a Clay Bar...which would you use?
- Thread starter redsox1975
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Meguiars clay seems to be fairly soft.
Mother's clay is a little harder.
It won't matter which you go with, at this point.
Mother's clay is a little harder.
It won't matter which you go with, at this point.
Originally Posted By: Malo83
Meguiars or Mothers you can't go wrong with either one
+1 it is one of the easiest things you can do that nets some pretty impressive results.
Meguiars or Mothers you can't go wrong with either one
+1 it is one of the easiest things you can do that nets some pretty impressive results.
I like the Maguires blue medium clay. The stuff you get in the kits is simple for somebody that has never clayed before and works great. I cannot stand the smell of the Mother quick detailer either. The maguires kit is a great bang for the buck. I also like my clay softer
meguiar's comes in 2 flavors. mild and agressive.
with a paint job 13yrs old, a first time clay job won't do very much, the paint (if original) is oxidized, the paint has faded, it's battered and beaten up, there probably isn't any clearcoat worth trying on save on there.
However, just wash the car, then clay it, make sure you use the quick mist lubricant, some people like to use water, I like the meguiar's qwik mist. Buying the meguiar's clay kit is a better deal!!
just do the car in small sections, and break a piece of clay off and as you swipe along the lubricant you'll notice the area getting a bit smoother. the clay should be dirty, just kinda knead that into the half-dollar sized piece you tore. a little goes a long way.
with a paint job 13yrs old, a first time clay job won't do very much, the paint (if original) is oxidized, the paint has faded, it's battered and beaten up, there probably isn't any clearcoat worth trying on save on there.
However, just wash the car, then clay it, make sure you use the quick mist lubricant, some people like to use water, I like the meguiar's qwik mist. Buying the meguiar's clay kit is a better deal!!
just do the car in small sections, and break a piece of clay off and as you swipe along the lubricant you'll notice the area getting a bit smoother. the clay should be dirty, just kinda knead that into the half-dollar sized piece you tore. a little goes a long way.
The difference between the brands is pretty slim. Most everyone either buys from Auto Wax Co. (the patent holder for auto detailing clay) or sources their own and pays Auto Wax a royalty. Either way, the technology is the same across the board. All the retail-sold clay products are barely different from one another, so buy on price and availability.
Here is a good video showing clay bar technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZRj509Ir8&feature=related
It's really easy to do and the benefits are immediately noticeable. A Mustang should not take you more than 30 mins unless the paint is covered in crud.
Here is a good video showing clay bar technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZRj509Ir8&feature=related
It's really easy to do and the benefits are immediately noticeable. A Mustang should not take you more than 30 mins unless the paint is covered in crud.
ClayMagic from AutoZone is my favorite.
bret,
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
Originally Posted By: benjamming
bret,
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
Clay Magic is what Auto Wax Co. calls their detailing clay.
Auto parts stores like Auto Zone sell Clay Magic brand. I bought a Clay Magic kit at AZ for about $13 last year.
bret,
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
Clay Magic is what Auto Wax Co. calls their detailing clay.
Auto parts stores like Auto Zone sell Clay Magic brand. I bought a Clay Magic kit at AZ for about $13 last year.
Most of what you can get at the autoparts store is very similar and should do what you need it to. Key is to use lots of lubrication to minimize micromarring. I started out with the Megs kit with the white clay, towel, and bottle of quick detailer. I have tried dedicated lubes but now and using ONR (Optimum No Rinse) diluted as my lube and it works great.
You can use car wash soap instead of the spray detailer for lubricant. Just rinse it off well.
If you drop a claybar on the ground, throw it away. The rocks that it picks up will tear up the paint if you try to use it again.
If you drop a claybar on the ground, throw it away. The rocks that it picks up will tear up the paint if you try to use it again.
Originally Posted By: benjamming
bret,
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
Howdsy,
TylerL is correct, Auto Wax Co. is the parent company of Auto Magic, who sells the Clay Magic product. You can buy direct from them via the Auto Magic website but there is no real price advantage. Unless you are claying very frequently, you are best off just buying whatever you can get at your local store, or ordering online from one of the many detailing vendors.
bret,
I didn't know that about Auto Wax Co. Do you buy direct from them?
Howdsy,
TylerL is correct, Auto Wax Co. is the parent company of Auto Magic, who sells the Clay Magic product. You can buy direct from them via the Auto Magic website but there is no real price advantage. Unless you are claying very frequently, you are best off just buying whatever you can get at your local store, or ordering online from one of the many detailing vendors.
I used Meguiars clay bar kit on the original paint on a 1994 Honda that had been neglected. The end result was excellent. I washed, dried, clayed, washed again, then put 2 coats of wax. I had purchased the car from a friend and when he saw it after I was done, he sincerely asked me where I got it painted. He never realized it was the same paint!
the clay magic one seem to be a bit more aggressive than the mothers. It felt like it was garbing more stuff off.
HERE IS A BIG TIP: take the clay and put in a plastic bag then break about 1/3 of it off and use that 1/3 on the car. Once clay is dropped on the ground you can no longer use it on the car. So you throw out the piece you where using and go grab another piece from the bag.
HERE IS A BIG TIP: take the clay and put in a plastic bag then break about 1/3 of it off and use that 1/3 on the car. Once clay is dropped on the ground you can no longer use it on the car. So you throw out the piece you where using and go grab another piece from the bag.
JUST FYI...
Meguiars, Mothers, Clay Magic, Chemicals Guy's, ETC.... They are all made by the same company!
They make three grades, mild, medium, and aggressive...
The only clays that AREN'T made by Automagic are Sonus, Riccardo, and Bilt Hammer... but none of those are technical sold here, but you find them floating around a bit...
Meguiars, Mothers, Clay Magic, Chemicals Guy's, ETC.... They are all made by the same company!
They make three grades, mild, medium, and aggressive...
The only clays that AREN'T made by Automagic are Sonus, Riccardo, and Bilt Hammer... but none of those are technical sold here, but you find them floating around a bit...
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