This is why...

This is just a single pass on the hood alone... The car was not too bad and this is after a good wash of course.

http://www.detailaddict.com/images/gallery/20080409/0009_0001.jpg

car in question...

before:
http://www.detailaddict.com/images/portfolio/AD/20080409/0001_0001.jpg

after:
http://www.detailaddict.com/images/portfolio/AD/20080409/0001_0002.jpg

I take it the claybar isn't supposed to look like that afterwards? :lol:

well, it shouldn't if the panel is clean... :)

this is just showing the clay bar is doing it's job... sometime even if you run your hands down the body panels and it might feel smooth, but there could still be surface contaminates.

well, it shouldn't if the panel is clean... :)

this is just showing the clay bar is doing it's job... sometime even if you run your hands down the body panels and it might feel smooth, but there could still be surface contaminates.

I use a clay bar on my car every time I wax. I think it's pointless to go through all that work to put a seal on dirty paint. Definitely makes a good difference.

if you do it frequent, it should only take you few minutes to run through the entire car. :) But I wouldn't do it too frequent, it does cut into the clear.

Leo

I use a clay bar on my car every time I wax. I think it's pointless to go through all that work to put a seal on dirty paint. Definitely makes a good difference.

i've been wanting to clay my car for weeks but something always comes up on my own day off -,.-
i want my ride to wear invisible silk :D

If your gonna clay a car---make sure to use P & S clay bar or another good brand.. Also very important to use spray wax when doing it... Never use the clay bar twice cause you are just re-grinding the dirt back in, causing swirls.. Ohh and mequires clay bar---is a joke... Dont waste ur money for a bar the size of a nickel that doesnt do anything more than a hard piece of gum...Just my two cents... Detail addict im sure knows a lot more than mee

The type and brand of clay definitely make a big difference... You are right about the 'Kragen' brands. But I do have to say, if you are not very confident in using clay bars, your 'Kragen' brands are less abrasive/safer, but you would have to put in much more efforts in doing a good/fast job. So for serious detail guys like myself, they are junk. :)


If your gonna clay a car---make sure to use P & S clay bar or another good brand.. Also very important to use spray wax when doing it... Never use the clay bar twice cause you are just re-grinding the dirt back in, causing swirls.. Ohh and mequires clay bar---is a joke... Dont waste ur money for a bar the size of a nickel that doesnt do anything more than a hard piece of gum...Just my two cents... Detail addict im sure knows a lot more than mee

where would you find a good brand of clay bar ? there is nothing at kragen is worth getting?

Mothers from kragen is okay, but it's not as good as some better brand. without using it just holding them in your hands you can feel the difference already.

I recently moved to Adam's Polishes Clay Bar and it's actually pretty good. That's the one you see in the picture. Where to get it? I'll be carrying them pretty soon (this coming Saturday). ;) If I can get my damn site to work, you can purchase them online soon. :mad: If you are local, you can always pick it up from me. Once I am stocked, I'll be adverting them in the BAIC forum and will be visiting most of the major local meets. So keep an eye out! :peace:


where would you find a good brand of clay bar ? there is nothing at kragen is worth getting?

ya i use mothers and it really dose work wonders your car feels totally different even before waxing, and after waxing like glass but im sure there are better clay bars but mothers never lets me down.

Clay bars are also used to move the grit so that when you wax using a buffer you wont scratch your paint with the residual micro grit. Owning a black car is how i learned the importance of a clay bar...

I'm pretty sure I used meguiars clay bar. it was a small yellow bar. it was pretty tough to use, but i could definitely feel and see a difference after using it. its been a year since used it because i heard its hurts the paint to claybar it too often. im gonna wait until summer comes around to claybar my car again!

it cuts, that's why it 'hurts' the paint.

There are really 3 grades of clay bar. There is the gray color clay, which is most abrasive, then purple for medium, then yellow/blue etc for least abrasive.

http://www.detailaddict.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_7&products_id=32

Leo

I'm pretty sure I used meguiars clay bar. it was a small yellow bar. it was pretty tough to use, but i could definitely feel and see a difference after using it. its been a year since used it because i heard its hurts the paint to claybar it too often. im gonna wait until summer comes around to claybar my car again!

Since the subject is about cleaning cars, what is good wax for a black pearl car? Thanks.

There are many... what is your budge? Hand or machine? You can get Adam's Polishes for $20-$25 or Swissvax for $2500 for 2 jars.


Adam's Polishes - Buttery Wax 16oz CD-006 $19.95 (http://www.detailaddict.com/product_info.php?products_id=39)
Adam's Polishes - Machine Super Wax 16oz CD-018 $24.95 (http://www.detailaddict.com/product_info.php?products_id=42)

There are many... what is your budge? Hand or machine? You can get Adam's Polishes for $20-$25 or Swissvax for $2500 for 2 jars.


Adam's Polishes - Buttery Wax 16oz CD-006 $19.95 (http://www.detailaddict.com/product_info.php?products_id=39)
Adam's Polishes - Machine Super Wax 16oz CD-018 $24.95 (http://www.detailaddict.com/product_info.php?products_id=42)


haha throwing this guy straight into the fire with swissvax!

Store bought clay bars are not very cost effective in the long run. You can pick up Clay Magic 200g bars or even Griots 225g bars, which are four to five times more than the store bought ones. Cut the larger bars into four to five pieces. Each piece should be good for two cars, unless it is like the one in this post. :)

Some debate whether or not the quick detailer/lube is necessary or just a good marketing scheme. Personally, I have seen people use a soap with high lubrication properties after the initial wash as their lube and get decent results. I prefer to use a QD and feel that there is less marring of the clearcoat. I clay about twice a year when I do two stages of polish, a glaze, sealant and wax. I between those I follow up with a finishing polish, sealant/glaze, and wax.

It is hard to beat P21S 100% Carnauba Wax (http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=2060&url=detailedimage.com/P21S-M14/Pure-Carnauba-Wax-P136/) or Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=2060&url=detailedimage.com/Pinnacle-M15/Souveran-Paste-Wax-P108/) for a dark colored car, especially with pearl effects. Well, at least for a hundred bucks, Swissvax is insanely nice. If you can actually pick up these products locally from DetailAddict and save shipping and tax, that is a great deal.