has anyone tried using the 'clay' cleaning methods on their vehicles ?

i have recently heard about it and was wondering if anyone had any 'real-world' experience they could share...

thanks

[quote:d8b1ae3307="hambone"]has anyone tried using the 'clay' cleaning methods on their vehicles ?

i have recently heard about it and was wondering if anyone had any 'real-world' experience they could share...

thanks[/quote:d8b1ae3307]

I tried the Zaino bros. clay bar and wax products a few weeks ago. I had no experience with the clay bar deal prior. It's is quite cool and easy to do.
Seems like it is just modeling clay like substance which you keep lubricated with diluted liquid dish soap as you rub it over the paint. I also did my other car which is only a yr old. Never realized how gritty the surface of the paint is till you do this process. Amazing !! I followed the clay with another wash and then used the Zaino wax product. Easy to apply and remove but I understand if you live in a humid climate it may require several hours to dry before you wipe it off. All in all very satisfied with the results. I learn cool stuff from these boards. Good luck.
andy

hey, thanks for the reply...

i have read that modelling clay is different but i might try some fine pottery clay on my old ride ( really don't care what i do to that car)...

i keep reading testimonials to the process but i never know if it is just a sales pitch.

if anyone else has any experience, please share...

I've got a buddy who swears by the Zaino products and clay bar. He has a black Maxima and when he gets finished it's like glass and amazing. I like the concept, but I never seem to have the time nor the energy to do all that! :lol:

Anyone uses Mothers clay bar kit? I just recently purchase the kit but i wanted to know if it works or not?

[quote:811f6fe5d8="Element"]Anyone uses Mothers clay bar kit? I just recently purchase the kit but i wanted to know if it works or not?[/quote:811f6fe5d8]

Ya, I asked my mother for the clay bar kit so I could try it but she kinda just looked at me like I was crazy.

[quote:41be04c52c="eMass"][quote:41be04c52c="Element"]Anyone uses Mothers clay bar kit? I just recently purchase the kit but i wanted to know if it works or not?[/quote:41be04c52c]

Ya, I asked my mother for the clay bar kit so I could try it but she kinda just looked at me like I was crazy.[/quote:41be04c52c]


Upon further review, that joke was just not funny. I'm sorry - I really don't know where I was going with that. :lol: :? :oops:

I will testify that Mothers clay bar kit works like a charm. I seriously thought that my red 97' Toyota Tercal needed a new paint job and decided to try the clay bar thing after reading about it in a AAA magazine.

After rubing the bar with its spray on stuff I was certain that I had just ruined what had been left of my paint job but after I waxed it I was surprised on how the car shined!!! It had never looked so good. I did it to my brother-in-laws 99' silver RAV and it gave it a really nice shine (his paint job is still in good condition).

I really recommend it, it makes your paint real slick and seems to prep it well for wax.

On the downside of such a beautiful shine, even the smallest of finger prints shows up big. So carry a clean terry towel with you at all times to smooth out the smudges. Ans if that aint anal enuf for ya. Try wiping off your nieghbor's prints seconds after he lifts his hand off the paint.

I have been the Meguiars clay for years. Really good product and does make the paint as smooth as a babys bottom. A most excellent way to prep a car for an outstanding wax job.

WOW !!! thanks for all of the replies. i guess i will give it a try on my older car first and then try it on the element if things work out...

i talked to my neighbour, the potter, and she mentioned that it might be a vitrified porcelin clay that is used. she seems willing to test fire a few bars for me this summer to try...

in the meantime i will buy a commercial product and see what to expect...

again, thanks to all who took the time to reply !

Hambone - Don't let your neighbor fire any clay for you. The clay used is soft not hard. Also, vitrified is not the answer. Vitrified is hard clay with a glazed finish to it (I know this because my father was a sales- engineer for a vitrified clay company). using vitrified clay on your car would be like using a brick on it.

Hi all. I came accross this web page with the video presented in the following link this past weekend. I think one & all will find it of value. Read through to the end of the page for the video.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-clay-bar.html

Enjoy!!:grin:

Zaino user here. Works great.
j

yea for bumping a 6 year old thread.

It may have been 6 yrs old but it was new to me.






....

I absolutely LOVE both the Meguires and Mothers kits. Personally, I like Mothers more because you get more clay for later use, but both kits are awesome. Make sure to wax right after clay barring for that brand new looking paint shine and protection! You know you've done it right when your paint feels like cool glass :grin:

Clay bars are clay bars so go with the cheapest one you can find. There is nothing magical about them. I love using the clay bar as it pulls black top specks right off. Zaino is awesome but I always feel bad that I can't do my whole car with a dime size blob. No matter what brand wax you use it always looks better after you clay your car. My E is silver metallic and it almost doesn't even need wax after using the clay bar.

clay bar is a great product. even a new car could benefit from this treatment to remove rail dust that sticks to a new (soft) clear coat when shipping from the factory.

welcome to my world of only slightly useful car guy information.

I've seen and touched the results of clay-barring, and it's dramatic.

I changed the thread title from "'Clay' cleaning" to "Clay bar" because you use a clay bar after the car is already clean.

I had never heard of claying until reading this board and I was skeptical as usual about it. Used it on my Wife's white 2007 Hyundai Sonata and WHAMMO. That stuff is amazing. I don't know HOW it works...but it works. I did the Meguires 5 step process on her car. It had never been hand detailed, only run through those auto washes...and it showed. After the detailing, it looked whiter than white.

I had never heard of claying until reading this board and I was skeptical as usual about it. Used it on my Wife's white 2007 Hyundai Sonata and WHAMMO. That stuff is amazing. I don't know HOW it works...but it works.

Here's an interesting read about Clay bars/claying.:-)
http://www.topoftheline.com/auto-detail-clay.html

For a long time I was a sports car guy, it ended when a lady drove up the hood of my 1980 TR-8. During those years I came to depend on the products from a place called Griots, their clay is simply awesome. BTW they also make a clay for windshields, and it really makes a difference.

RSB

+1 for Griots clay bar. All of their stuff is top notch, maybe a bit pricey but worth it.IMHO And they stand behind what they sell.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/

Did my first clay bar this week. My E had not been detailed in 3 years (drought, etc.). I thoroughly washed it using full-strength dish soap and a pressure washer. The clay bar still pulled all sorts of grime from the paint. I polished it with 2 coats of Turtle wax ice and the paint is smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom. I believe in the clay bar now.

Did my first clay bar this week. My E had not been detailed in 3 years (drought, etc.). I thoroughly washed it using full-strength dish soap and a pressure washer. The clay bar still pulled all sorts of grime from the paint. I polished it with 2 coats of Turtle wax ice and the paint is smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom. I believe in the clay bar now.


It is a revelation. I was very dubious before my first clay bar session with my Miata several years ago. Then I was amazed at it pulled dead bugs, tar and other road debris off, leaving a smooth-as-crystal finish behind.

Here's a photo, on a road trip in between washings. Claying (and Zaino) is transformative.

:-)

i just used the groits clay bar on my e..this weekend,,i have never used a clay bar before..wow..this stuff is awsome,,and simple to do..like others have said,,i dont know how it works ...but it works wonders..

it usually makes no difference which brand you go with. they do the same thing.

mothers, meguiars, clay magic, griots, pinnacle, zaino, etc. all pretty much the same thing(ive used pretty much all of them)

i wouldnt waste my time and money on ordering a more expensive one online.

oh and a tip, you dont really need any of that spray detailer to lube the bar. just use a hose and keep it a slow stream of water running wherever you are claying. it'll be enough lube. a bit of a waste of water though.

Dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle works good too.

it usually makes no difference which brand you go with. they do the same thing.

mothers, meguiars, clay magic, griots, pinnacle, zaino, etc. all pretty much the same thing(ive used pretty much all of them)

i wouldnt waste my time and money on ordering a more expensive one online.

True,unless you happen to be looking for a specific type of clay,such as those offered with various levels of aggressiveness.Those types are usually much easier to find online.

oh and a tip, you dont really need any of that spray detailer to lube the bar. just use a hose and keep it a slow stream of water running wherever you are claying. it'll be enough lube. a bit of a waste of water though.

You most certainly can do that,but water doesn't really offer quite as much in lubricity as a clay lube,or a quick detail product would. I'll stick with a clay lube/quick detail product for my claying.;-) I usually use Chemical Guys Extreme Slick Synthetic Quick Detailer.8)
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Exterior_Interior_Quick_Detail_Spray_No_Wax_p/wac_116.htm
^^Great product.

Dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle works good too.

Sure you can do that too,but in most cases that's been known to degrade the polybutene,which is on of the main ingredients in clay. If you do plan on going that route,it's usually best to have a clean bucket of water to rinse the clay before folding/kneading it. This way you're not folding as much of the soap mix into the clay.

Found this nugget regarding making your own clay lube:

http://detailclay.com/qa-how-can-i-make-clay-bar-lubricant/

I use the meigular's(sp) and I love it. Works great.

I am glad this thread has become active again.

I have a black 2007 E. I am interested if anyone has used the claybar technique on a black vehicle. If so, what were your results?

QUESTION:
Do I only apply the claybar to the metallic surface of the E, or should I also claybar the plastic side panels and windows as well?

NEED ADVICE:
I plan to have some white racing stripe vinyl decals added to E on the hood, roof and down the tailgate. Before I apply the decal, should I clay my E to get it completely clean? Also, should I apply wax before or after the decals are applied?

I know I saw photos of E's on this web site that had really neat racing stripes on them, but when I search, I cannot find the photos anymore.

Anyway, thanks again for the claybar advice.

I am glad this thread has become active again.

I have a black 2007 E. I am interested if anyone has used the claybar technique on a black vehicle. If so, what were your results?

QUESTION:
Do I only apply the claybar to the metallic surface of the E, or should I also claybar the plastic side panels and windows as well?

NEED ADVICE:
I plan to have some white racing stripe vinyl decals added to E on the hood, roof and down the tailgate. Before I apply the decal, should I clay my E to get it completely clean? Also, should I apply wax before or after the decals are applied?

I know I saw photos of E's on this web site that had really neat racing stripes on them, but when I search, I cannot find the photos anymore.

Anyway, thanks again for the claybar advice.


If the plastic panels are not painted, I wouldn't use clay on them. The clay would probably get into the grain of the plastic. The clay is only meant to remove surface contaminents on smooth surfaces. I have an 07 EX, so the panels are painted and I do use clay on them. I've used clay on the glass with good success but haven't done that in a while.

I used to use the Meguiar's system with the Quik Detailer as lube but I switched to Zaino this year and they reccommend mixing their wash product with water and putting it in a spray bottle. I've found that both work equally well as a lube.

I'm not sure whether the clay removes all the wax but I would definitely clay the car and remove the wax before striping it.

I had vinyl stripes on my old Miata and I washed the car with Dawn dishwashing soap to remove the wax before I put the stripes on. After the stripes went on, I waxed.

I am glad this thread has become active again.

I have a black 2007 E. I am interested if anyone has used the claybar technique on a black vehicle. If so, what were your results?

QUESTION:
Do I only apply the claybar to the metallic surface of the E, or should I also claybar the plastic side panels and windows as well?

NEED ADVICE:
I plan to have some white racing stripe vinyl decals added to E on the hood, roof and down the tailgate. Before I apply the decal, should I clay my E to get it completely clean? Also, should I apply wax before or after the decals are applied?

I know I saw photos of E's on this web site that had really neat racing stripes on them, but when I search, I cannot find the photos anymore.

Anyway, thanks again for the claybar advice.

If the plastic panels are not painted, I wouldn't use clay on them. The clay would probably get into the grain of the plastic. The clay is only meant to remove surface contaminents on smooth surfaces. I have an 07 EX, so the panels are painted and I do use clay on them. I've used clay on the glass with good success but haven't done that in a while.

I used to use the Meguiar's system with the Quik Detailer as lube but I switched to Zaino this year and they reccommend mixing their wash product with water and putting it in a spray bottle. I've found that both work equally well as a lube.

I'm not sure whether the clay removes all the wax but I would definitely clay the car and remove the wax before striping it.

I had vinyl stripes on my old Miata and I washed the car with Dawn dishwashing soap to remove the wax before I put the stripes on. After the stripes went on, I waxed.


Thank you for the fine advice TangoBill. I will try the claybar cleaning followed by a car wash with Liquid Dawn, and dry my E off with microfiber towels. After it really dries well, I will attempt to apply the racing stripe decals.

It'll be interesting to see how I well I can get the racing stripe decals to line up from the front hood, over the roof, then down the back to the tailgate. The tricky part is to measure everything a few times and place some painters (blue masking) tape to use as guides. Hopefully, it will turn out well.

Thanks again for the info. :-)

has anyone tried using the 'clay' cleaning methods on their vehicles ?

i have recently heard about it and was wondering if anyone had any 'real-world' experience they could share...

thanks

On past vehicles i've clay'd and its a great tool.
If i'm going to do a full detail i do the following

Basic wash with dish soap
cruise around for about 5 minutes to air dry
Knock out missed spots with my leaf blower
Then Clay & spray (meguiars kit)
*(now if its an ELEMENT i would PB the panels, i'm planning on doing a full detail on my dads this weekend so i'll take pix)
Then i use the 3 phase meguiars cleaner, using orbital buffer for wax & glaze
and once finished another quick rinse and should look P R I M O

This was my old Si
http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0033.sized.jpg
http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0036.sized.jpg

also the peanut butter UNOXIDIZES rims, usually they "haze" from people that go to cheap AUTOMATED car washes.
That foam = HORRIFIC for clearcoats & finish.

here is a before and after on a rim, but you can also clay a rim if you're SUPER anal...

Before -

http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0009.sized.jpg

Middle -

http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0011.sized.jpg
http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0014.sized.jpg

Complete -




http://www.theh8r.com/gallery/albums/album38/DSC_0043.sized.jpg


Sorry i veered off topic to wheels lol

....also the peanut butter UNOXIDIZES rims, usually they "haze" from people that go to cheap AUTOMATED car washes.

...was that creamy or chunky :lol::lol::lol::lol:

seriously, your Civic looks AWESOME!! Got a clay bar last year, just been putting it off (OK, lazy :| ). After reading this post, definitely want to re-shine the TRP back to its beautiful self. Now if it would just stop raining..... :x :-(

...was that creamy or chunky :lol::lol::lol::lol:

seriously, your Civic looks AWESOME!! Got a clay bar last year, just been putting it off (OK, lazy :| ). After reading this post, definitely want to re-shine the TRP back to its beautiful self. Now if it would just stop raining..... :x :-(

Thanks, if you invest the time into it and do it right once or twice a year, you really don't have to be on it alot.

However once you use the clay bar and physically FEEL your paint, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner.

oh and it was creamy ;)

However once you use the clay bar and physically FEEL your paint, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner.

Amen to that. I just did my "08 CR-V a couple weeks ago. I had no idea how much you could FEEL it working.

However once you use the clay bar and physically FEEL your paint, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner.

Amen to that. I just did my "08 CR-V a couple weeks ago. I had no idea how much you could FEEL it working.

I finally got around to detailing our new Element to "my specs" :)
Here area few vids and pix i shot with my iphone 4 :)

Video = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=446Bqf1L7m0

I need to see the PB method on video;)

you sound kinda like ray ramano lol but good video BTW

you sound kinda like ray ramano lol but good video BTW

As long as i don't LOOK like ray romano :)

I had a day off on Friday and worked on the exterior of the E from about 9:30 in the morning until about 5 in the afternoon. Wash, tar remover, clay bar, wax, windows, Rain-X, rims and tires. I don't know if I've EVER had a vehicle that clean. That was my first time using the clay bar and it sure made a difference.

So, yesterday, off I went to work with a 20% chance of rain in the forecast. It hasn't rained around here in something like 6 weeks. Sure enough, the rains came, but it sure did bead well. :grin:

I finally got around to detailing our new Element to "my specs" :)
Here area few vids and pix i shot with my iphone 4 :)

Video = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=446Bqf1L7m0
Great video. Damn that clay got dirty as hell haha.

I had a day off on Friday and worked on the exterior of the E from about 9:30 in the morning until about 5 in the afternoon. Wash, tar remover, clay bar, wax, windows, Rain-X, rims and tires. I don't know if I've EVER had a vehicle that clean. That was my first time using the clay bar and it sure made a difference.

So, yesterday, off I went to work with a 20% chance of rain in the forecast. It hasn't rained around here in something like 6 weeks. Sure enough, the rains came, but it sure did bead well. :grin:

Same thing happens to me! It might not rain for a month in the summer which is rare where I live but the day I decide to do a top to bottom exterior cleaning of the E, rain appears in the forecast for the next day. I guess the only good thing is that you can watch that water REALLY bead and admire all your hard work (i guess).

Claying your car is simple. Your local auto parts store should carry detailing products, try finding the Meguiars Car Clay Kit (http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+G1016). I clay my car twice a year as the local construction companies like making a mess with the tar. The directions are straightforward and you'll be surprised at the results.

If you're looking for a great clay bar that's easy to work with check out Griot's Paint Cleaning Clay. Their clay bar is much better and larger than what you'd probably ever find locally.

Here's mine.

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/7476/1004330.jpg

^^Oh and their wheel cleaning clay is pretty awesome too. ;-) They also are offering free shipping all Spring on all of their products, so it's also a great value. 8)

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+polishing/paint+cleaning+clay/paint+cleaning+clay.do?search=basic&keyword=clay&sortby=newArrivals&page=1 <<Paint clay

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/wheels+%26+tires/wheel+tire+cleaners/wheel+cleaning+clay+7+ounces.do?search=basic&keyword=clay&sortby=newArrivals&page=1 <<Wheel clay.

They also have a window cleaning clay.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+polishing/paint+cleaning+clay/glass+cleaning+clay%2C+3.5+ounces.do

Notice they have a video at the bottom of the page showing the differences between all three of their clays.

I have experience with this, its great it takes off all the tar and grim that you dont really see. It is different from molding clay. The best way to use it is with a hose running lightly on the area your rubbing. A little effort and your paint will look like a dream again.

love my mothers clay bar. Use it every 3 months or so...Does not hurt the paint. only good

i love the before and after....best part. like rubbing glass..

yes...let the microfiber slide off the hood!

I love the OP on this thread

"Has anyone ever tried using this 'clay' method"

LOL

I use the Meguiar's Clay kit. I love it. It comes with an ample amount of clay and quick detailer and I got a bonus bottle of Meguiar's quick liquid wax.

I used to love claybaring and detailing just be very careful while the process is safe for paint and yields great results.

It is very easy to get an un noticed contaminant on the clay that scratches your paint

I've been a professional detailer for over 40 years, so most of the products I use are non retail lines. But of all the retail brands I've tried over the years, I really think that the Meguiar's Clay Bar is the best.

First of all, it's very white, which let you know how much dirt it accumulates and when it's time to throw it away. Plus it really holds up better when you use it. Some clay bars are too soft and have edges that continually disintegrate and spear the area you're working on. The Meguiar's Clay Bar doesn't do that and it produces excellent results every time.

You should consistently check your clay bar as you're using it because as racerc200 stated, if you can pick up foreign particles that are detrimental to that smooth shine you're trying to achieve. Obviously, follow up with a good polish that protects your finish (waxes shine, polishes protect), and you are now in business! "Good luck!"

Chief

clay bars are used by profesionals all the time. detailing is a part of living if your going to love your car not like love your car but loveeeeeeee your car lots of time and energy to do it and yes it will show you all the crap you picked up since the car came out of the factory now here is a nother method of doing this prosess take it to a detailer and have him wheel and wax it it will make the car look new it takes scratches from the clear coat out and yeah its alot easier

I can report that 3 tablespoons of baby shampoo mixed with 32 oz. of water worked just as well as the clay lube.

I can report that 3 tablespoons of baby shampoo mixed with 32 oz. of water worked just as well as the clay lube.

I'm sure it does works great, but it's usually best to use the proper spray detailer/clay lube while claying.

I'm sure it does works great, but it's usually best to use the proper spray detailer/clay lube while claying.

______Why?______

______Why?______
It can break down the clay and also may not offer enough lubricity, which could possibly mar the finish more than it would if one was using a dedicated clay lube/quick detailer spray.

Also, not everyone likes to re wash their vehicle after claying and if you're using soap/shampoo, one would certainly want to re wash, or at least thoroughly rinse their vehicles finish before applying any products. If you're using a clay lube/quick detailer a simple spray/wipe down with a clean micro fiber towel will usually suffice.

Anyway, clay lubes/quick detailers are fairly inexpensive, so there's really no reason not to use it.

"It can break down the clay and also may not offer enough lubricity, which could possibly mar the finish more than it would if one was using a dedicated clay lube/quick detailer spray. "

I've not had a problem with either so far.

"Also, not everyone likes to re wash their vehicle after claying and if you're using soap/shampoo, one would certainly want to re wash, or at least thoroughly rinse their vehicles finish before applying any products. If you're using a clay lube/quick detailer a simple spray/wipe down with a clean micro fiber towel will usually suffice."

I found it necessary to rinse the car after using clay lube, so giving it a rinse is no biggie.

"Anyway, clay lubes/quick detailers are fairly inexpensive, so there's really no reason not to use it."

Diluted baby shampoo is still cheaper. To each his own.

"It can break down the clay and also may not offer enough lubricity, which could possibly mar the finish more than it would if one was using a dedicated clay lube/quick detailer spray. "

I've not had a problem with either so far.

"Also, not everyone likes to re wash their vehicle after claying and if you're using soap/shampoo, one would certainly want to re wash, or at least thoroughly rinse their vehicles finish before applying any products. If you're using a clay lube/quick detailer a simple spray/wipe down with a clean micro fiber towel will usually suffice."

I found it necessary to rinse the car after using clay lube, so giving it a rinse is no biggie.

"Anyway, clay lubes/quick detailers are fairly inexpensive, so there's really no reason not to use it."

Diluted baby shampoo is still cheaper. To each his own.

Depending on how you use your clay you might not even notice it breaking down, but it's been known to happen. <<I've actually seen it happen. Will it happen to your clay using diluted baby shampoo...I really don't know.:?

As for the rinsing, sure it may not be a big deal to you, but personally I'd rather not deal with wetting the entire vehicle down and having to dry it off just so I can follow up with what ever other products I'm planning on putting on my vehicles finish.

Yep, to each his own. :-)