Clay Bar?

[bowtieff]

Okay never used one before and keep hearing how good it is? what exactly does it do?

Another side question. What kind of tire shine do you use? I usually use Meguiars hot shine but I keep getting alot of spin off on the paint?

[Joseph K]

On the tire shine (I use the same stuff, it works well), just let it dry and buff off the excess, so you won't get any slinging on the body panels.

Basically, with the clay, you can remove the majority of all the crap that has bonded to the surface or won't come off simply with a wash. You'd be surprised seeing all the stuff they pick up that you can hardly tell is there. This should tell you all you really need to know about clay barring: Detailing Clay & Pre-wax Cleaning

[Dubyagee]

Clay bar is a lightly abrasive clay that removes contaminints off the un-waxed paints surface. I wash my truck down with Dawn dish soap (helps remove old wax), Claybar and then use Nano wax.

I use Black magic to shine my tires and then wipe the tires down with a BM dampened rag.

[bowtieff]

Thanks for the help. Ill be buying one of the kits here when the weather breaks.

[Joseph K]

You'll be pleased with the results

[HotRodLarry]

I used the Mother's Clay Bar on my '83 Camaro a couple summers ago. Car turned out awesome, but it took me a good 3 hours to do the car. I'd use the clay bar again if I had a good afternoon to kill.

[Chevy Fireman]

Clay bar will make you car feel silky smooth and help impove the shine.

I dont use tire shine. To many dirt roads and the tire shine makes the dust stick to the wheels. End up looking worse.

[mmike032]

clay bar makes finish smooth as silk. just run hand over paint before then clay and wax a spot and feel the difference.

[Sierra H/O]

Clay bar is great. It cleans surface contaminates off(or overspray if its been painted) and leaves the surface ideal for polishing and waxing. I do this at least twice a year to my truck and my wifes car. Here's some examples.
My old truck
Before

After

My Z before


After a wash, clay, ColorX, Meguiars #7, and Gold Class

[Joseph K]

After a wash, go over the surface of your truck with your hand in a plastic bag... you will feel how much **** is on there that you can't even see. After a clay, 95% of that will be gone. IT will also be WAY smoother touching it with your bare hand.

[bowtieff]

wow I had no idea the clay bar was so popular. Thanks again for all the input!!!!!

[james_8997]

yea i just clayed ma truck and it made a night and day difference...

[RickyRacer]

The clay bars work great on the glass too.

I use Blackfire tire gel.

[trent steel]

what are your pre clay bar rituals for washing the truck to get it ready for a clay bar?

[RickyRacer]

Wash with dawn is all I do before hand

[badluck]

Im gunna have to clay my truck now, what kind of wax should i use afterwards tho? I have to use a do-it-yourself car wash tho. I use Armoral Extreme Tire Shine, i love it, spray it on let it sit a min and wipe it in. ALWAYS last till the next wash.

[1BadAction]

well worth the effort. Heres my SS after being clay barrrrred...

(and yes the camera sucked)

[bowtieff]

just clayed my truck. WOW what a difference. It is unbelievable the crap it got off my paint.
only problem thought...... My Girlfriend wants me to clay her SC2now.

[thekl0wn]

Yes, that is a problem... I've had a few people approach me at work... They see the Tahoe (or the truck for that matter), especially in the rain, and they don't understand how ten and fifteen year old vehicles look better than their one or two year old vehicles. They also get pissed when I tell 'em what I'd have to charge for me to do their Lexus.

After the first rinse, if I see anything, it gets claybarred... Maybe not the entire vehicle, but that area. Then about once a month it gets a full claybar.

[Stratosman]

don't use tire foam-your tires will slowly turn brownish-that's my experience anyway.