Ever used a clay bar?

[msubullyfan]

Hey, folks!

Has anyone had good success getting things off the surface of their vehicle using a clay bar? How well does it work, what did it not work at removing, etc.?

I don't know anything about them, and I don't want to spend $20 on something that doesn't work.

 

[MotegiMazdA]

I had the detail guys detail my car for me right before I went to NOPI. They clay barred it and my paint felt so smooth afterwards. I would definately recomend it, but your going to need a little bit of time to do it.

 

[Albert]

I used the Mother's clay bar last spring and it worked great. It took off road crap, those small black lines of adhesive left from the white protective stuff they put on your car when transporting it, dead bug guts, and some stuff I didn't even know was on there, but you could see it in the clay bar when you were done. It's a small investment, but completely worth it. Just make sure to use a good wax afterwards and your car will look better than you got it from the dealership. Waiting for the weather to be nice enough for me to do it again this spring (I have to use those auto car washed during the winter and the wax they use isn't the best).

Also, my friend and I used it on his 6 year old truck (bright red) last summer, and he said the paint looked better than it ever has when we were done!

 

[YellowPR5]

Anyone know if it would be a problem to use the clay bar on the bumpers? My bumpers are getting pretty faded and I need to brighten them up a bit.

 

[JOS3]

will it remove paint scuffs? someone scraped my white car with their red door

 

[Albert]

Anyone know if it would be a problem to use the clay bar on the bumpers? My bumpers are getting pretty faded and I need to brighten them up a bit.

I used it on every painted surface without a problem.

will it remove paint scuffs? someone scraped my white car with their red door

It should.

 

[RSP5]

clay bars work on every part of your car, I call it my miracle putty, just be sure to keep it well lubricated with either the mothers or mcguires show shine that's what helps to lift all of the contaminates from the surface of your paint and only do like a 3x3 foot area at a time wipe it off with a soft cloth and flip it over to polish it you'll be able to tell when the surface is free of contaminates when your using the block cause it will feel smooth against the paint

 

[JOS3]

i'll probably pick one up next time im out, thanks.

 

[whitemp5seattle]

will it remove paint scuffs? someone scraped my white car with their red door

me too! what is it with those red car drivers?! (blowup)

 

[MPChi]

Don't expect a lot from removing paint and stuff though. As clay bar is good for removing really tiny spects got stuck on the paint for too long, but not so much for paint that got 'rubbed' on. It probably helps, but just don't get your hopes too high.

Do be really careful with the clay bar though. Kneat it as often as possible and look for any small hard stuff like sand stuck on it. NEVER drop it on the floor. Otherwise, it'll just like rubbing sand paper on your car. As careful as I try to be, I still got a few big scratch at a few spots from using the clay bar, while smoothing out the paint all over. Just be real careful using it.

 

[upgraded]

I have used the clay bar a a couple of my vehicles. I have a 92 ford ranger that had tons of overspray and sap on. After a couple of hours with the clay bar it looks fantastic.

 

[Jliao]

Clay bar is good to remove surface grime that's hard to see with naked eye. If the surface grime is bad, you can usually feel it with your fingers, and it can be use to remove tree tars and bug tars. Also, sometimes you can see them after you wash the car (watch how the water spreads out around a dirty spot). Usually after claying, you should be able to see the difference between before and after claying (it's usually looks cleaner). Some of the company includes Mother, Clay Magic (my favorite), and Meguiar.

I would suggest using them once or twice a month to keep the car clean, cut the clay in small piece so you can replace them if they're really dirty, and not having to buy a whole new clay bar. Work in a small spot at a time and ALWAYS Keep the car lubed in the spot you're working on (most of them comes with lube anyway), the clay can damage the car if it's completely lubed (can cause swirls). Do it in the direction of wind -- front and back, and wrap them inside after one side is used. In addition, you can also make your own lube by using 9:1 or 8:1 ratio of water and car wash shampoo (Meguiar Gold Glass is good, it contains some lubbrication within the shampoo).

 

[MazdaManic5]

i worked in a detail shop for two years and claybar works well on removing overspray, raildust, general surface grime. Should do it about twice a year. Not to often. and DEFINATELY CHECK FOR ROCKS! Itll fubar your paint.

 

[Shane5425]

so it will take off bug slatters.. i am askin this because the factory bumpers were covered eith them and it went on the the hood to.. got a new erebuni bumper but i sitll have the bug marks on the front of the hood.

 

[pr5owner]

claybar is teh pwn you, it makes your paint so SMOOTH, throw the towel on your hood after and it should slide off, can't have sex on the hood anymore though

 

[P54DRIDE]

will it work on the windows. they have some overspray on it.

 

[mspdfreak]

They are great for windows! Takes all the bug residue off!