Clay Bar advice....

[Rhino172]

probably in the wron section (sorry) but...

My bro has just bought a Megs Quick Clay kit which is some sort of spray and the clay bar itself along with some Zymol cleaning wax. Just wondering if anyone has any tips on using it as I've never used one before.
cheers!

 

[Nafoff]

i use the mothers clay bar...

its quite easy really
one thing i would say is only use bits of the bar at a time...ie...cut off a section bout 1 cm x 5cm....that should be more than enough to do the whole car...keep rolling the piece in your hands to keep it fresh...you'll know when you haven't lubricated the paintwork enough...thats bout it...

when you have finished..if the piece you have used still looks ok then wrap it in cling film...and use again, or demote it to wheel or engine clay bar..

hope that helps

 

[Rhino172]

1x5?? that seems rather small. how do you do it? hold it like a pencil and "colour in" your car??

 

[Justin182]

Think you just squidge it up mate and sort or roll it back and forth to get the stuff off.

 

[Jay]

Roll the clay into a ball then flat out into a disc shape. Spray quick detailer onto one panel at a time, rub clay onto panel. Then wipe off with dry microfibre cloth.

 

[Alan]

Echo.....^^

Couldn't have put it better myself Jay.

 

[Jay]

Why thank you!

 

[M1TCH]

I'm gonna give this a go tomorrow too :S

 

[Rich]

If you want to save quick detailer for something else - use soapy water. Mix up some car shampoo, ( 2 - 3 capfulls) in a small spray bottle and use that instead. To make things safer still, wash the car, rinse, then re wet the panel first with clean soapy water again as well first before claying. The extra water makes the clay glide much easier.

 

[Rhino172]

cheers guys. I'll let ya know how I get on (if it don't rain). got the advantage of trying it out on my bro's car first anyway seeing as he paid for it!

 

[benhwolves]

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17

 

[Shaun16v]

How long does it take roughly to do the car using the clay bar? I know this will vary from person to person, but im assuming it takes a fair bit longer than polishing?
Really need to give mine a good proper clean before the show season starts

 

[id_doug]

Also see - http://www.cliosport.net/index.php?ind=reviews&op=entry_view&iden=36

 

[drac182]

The clay bar really is one of those things that makes you think 'f**k that's good!' It works alot better than you think it's going to.....

 

[Leeshez]

I tried this but i think i got it wrong lol. I will try these tips

 

[Rich]

How long does it take roughly to do the car using the clay bar? I know this will vary from person to person, but im assuming it takes a fair bit longer than polishing?
Really need to give mine a good proper clean before the show season starts

I'd say about 5 mins or so at least per panel, more for the roof and bonnet.

 

[David_Snaresbrook]

I'd say about 5 mins or so at least per panel, more for the roof and bonnet.

jesus! it must take you ages to clean your car if it takes you that long with a clay bar.

it takes me about 10 minutes to do the entire car with mine. i wash the car, then get some clean warm soapy water, use that with the clay bar, paying extra attention to sill and bumpers. i then get more clean water and quickly wash the car again as the clay bar tends to leave a milky residue on the paint.

the car is then dried and polished by hand, unless im feeling energetic and then i'll use my PC and give it a few hours attention with that.

 

[Shaun16v]

Sounds like im going to have to give this a go, cheers

 

[White16valver]

jesus! it must take you ages to clean your car if it takes you that long with a clay bar.

it takes me about 10 minutes to do the entire car with mine. i wash the car, then get some clean warm soapy water, use that with the clay bar, paying extra attention to sill and bumpers. i then get more clean water and quickly wash the car again as the clay bar tends to leave a milky residue on the paint.

the car is then dried and polished by hand, unless im feeling energetic and then i'll use my PC and give it a few hours attention with that.

10 minutes??

My paintwork must be fooked then as it takes ages to get all the crap off it! It feels fairly smooth after one go but you have to do it again to makes sure that you get all the little bits off...

 

[Rich]

jesus! it must take you ages to clean your car if it takes you that long with a clay bar.

it takes me about 10 minutes to do the entire car with mine. i wash the car, then get some clean warm soapy water, use that with the clay bar, paying extra attention to sill and bumpers. i then get more clean water and quickly wash the car again as the clay bar tends to leave a milky residue on the paint.

the car is then dried and polished by hand, unless im feeling energetic and then i'll use my PC and give it a few hours attention with that.

Yeah takes me about two hours just to wash it properly to my standards!

Claying a car for the first time isnt something anyone should rush as you can cause some real damage. Once a car has been clayed and you are just spoy claying certain areas I can see that only taking 10-15 mins.

 

[White16valver]

Yeah takes me about two hours just to wash it properly to my standards!

Claying a car for the first time isnt something anyone should rush as you can cause some real damage. Once a car has been clayed and you are just spoy claying certain areas I can see that only taking 10-15 mins.

I thought it was supposed to be 100% safe? :S

 

[Rhino172]

thanks for all the advice guys. Didn't get round to doin it this weekend cos it rained andI'm away next weekend! poor car is gonna have to wait a few weeks for the special treatment now!

 

[Rich]

I thought it was supposed to be 100% safe? :S

Brazo has some Pics of GaryG's car after he had a clay mishap.

Not 100% safe at all unfortunatley if you get it wrong, can leave some deep marring.

 

[White16valver]

ooh dear... :S

Glad I always do it really gently! lol

 

[Rich]

Plenty of lubrication..ooh err and make sure the clay is soft.

 

[White16valver]

lol

I'll remember that