Just used clay bar for the first time. I'm very satisfied. I bought a box that came with the Meguiars detail spray and the clay bar. First time ever using it and had amazing results. I always had these little orange rust looking flakes or spots in my paint. I read that claybar will remove it. And it really does. I'm very happy because I for the longest time thought I was going to need a new paint job. So anyone with this problem just give it a shot you should me amazed.

I use a clay bar once every four or five months, then scratch remover then wax, a must for (NBP)

I have a few tiny dings that I'm not too worried about but those damn rust colored spots always bugged me. For removing those alone I'm happy with it.

It works wonders trust me :) glad to hear it works for you

I recently bought an '04 LX 2wd mt NBP so our '07 EX awd at GGM would have someone to hang wit. Anyways, I have looked at thesae clay bar thingies and read the distructions and all but, well.... how do you use them? Do you rub this bar ALL over the E and then wipe it off or do you use it in spots where needed? Do you need a buffer of some sort or can you wax on wax off?

The clay is an abrasive suspended in the clay medium. It shears off everything above the level of the paint, but is not abrasive to the paint. I always break the clay bar into pieces and flatten them out to about the size of a silver dollar. I do this because the clay is easy to drop and should be thrown out if it hits the ground. I usually wash my car, then use the clay while the car is still wet. Apply the included clay lube liberally to a panel, then glide the piece of clay across the paint. The clay should glide like a hockey puck on ice, but may grab when is comes across contaminates. It will also grab if you don't apply enough lube, so be sure to keep the work surface wet. If an area is grabbing, keep rubbing the clay across the area until it glides smoothly. As the clay becomes discolored, fold is on itself and use the new clean surface. Pick off any large contaminates that you can see in the clay. If the piece of clay gets real dirty, throw it out and grab a new piece. Then dry your car like you would after a regular car wash.

Hope this helps. :)

The clay is an abrasive suspended in the clay medium. It shears off everything above the level of the paint, but is not abrasive to the paint. I always break the clay bar into pieces and flatten them out to about the size of a silver dollar. I do this because the clay is easy to drop and should be thrown out if it hits the ground. I usually wash my car, then use the clay while the car is still wet. Apply the included clay lube liberally to a panel, then glide the piece of clay across the paint. The clay should glide like a hockey puck on ice, but may grab when is comes across contaminates. It will also grab if you don't apply enough lube, so be sure to keep the work surface wet. If an area is grabbing, keep rubbing the clay across the area until it glides smoothly. As the clay becomes discolored, fold is on itself and use the new clean surface. Pick off any large contaminates that you can see in the clay. If the piece of clay gets real dirty, throw it out and grab a new piece. Then dry your car like you would after a regular car wash.

Hope this helps. :)

Good info. If you buy the kits they have detailed instructions on the box that are easy to follow. I'd never used it before and worked great for me. But I had to re-wash my E afterwards because it looked filthy with the detail spray dried all over it because I didn't wipe each panel down afterwards like the instructions said to.

The clay is an abrasive suspended in the clay medium. It shears off everything above the level of the paint, but is not abrasive to the paint.......Hope this helps. :)


I'm sorry but this is not correct info. It is abrasive to paint as well as contaminants that are embedded in the paint. too much Clay will eventually completely remove your clear coat and paint. (but who knows how long that will take, I've cleaned my s2k with clay every month for 2 years and never had a problem.

there are different levels of abrasiveness in clay bars just like sand paper. the lower quality you go with the more inconsistant your results will be.

There there are ultra fiine clay bars like Sonus, that won't do crap and it's just a big marketting gimmik.

McGuiar's is good, I used it on sunbeaten carbon fiber hoods to make it look like new, use it on windshield to make it smooth again.

One thinga bout clay is that it's expensive, and if you drop it on ground, you MUST throw it away, it picks up small rocks like toothless grandma on candy.

The final solution, Clay MagicŪ, was developed in Japan in the early 1990's. This detailing clay safely removes rail dust and industrial fallout by "pulling" it off the surface. It does not "cut" or perform any abrasive action normally associated with polishing or compounding.

The above quote is from the website of the manufacturer of Clay Magic, one of the leading brands of auto clay. As stated above it is not abrasive to paint. The stronger clays can mar paint, but they are not removing it.

I use a clay bar once every four or five months, then scratch remover then wax, a must for (NBP)

What scratch remover and wax do you recommend?

I constantly get terminology mixed up... wax, carnuba wax, tech wax, quick detail spray, paint sealant.... whats the difference? (autogeek is slowly fixing this).

What scratch remover and wax do you recommend?

I constantly get terminology mixed up... wax, carnuba wax, tech wax, quick detail spray, paint sealant.... whats the difference? (autogeek is slowly fixing this).
Protectants are normally referred to as:
Waxes, sealants, synthetics, Tech Wax, Carnaubas, anything that provides sustainable protection, or protective qualities.
Polishes are referred to as: polishes, compounds, scratch removers, abrasive cleaners. (And paint cleaners. Although paint cleaners are non abrasive)
Details sprays: Quick Detailer (QD's), clay lubes, instant detailers.

Polishes clean and revitalize.
Protectants ......protect from the elements.
Waxes

i have some spots that i think a clay bar will help with.

Yet another reason i love this site.

What scratch remover and wax do you recommend?

I constantly get terminology mixed up... wax, carnuba wax, tech wax, quick detail spray, paint sealant.... whats the difference? (autogeek is slowly fixing this).

Here.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Zaino

You need to follow their steps the fist time to rid the scratches then minor maintenance there after like tribalelement says. You can send them an e-mail tell them what you are trying to do and they will recommend products. Don't call and ask a sales guy because they don't have a clue...I know from a recent experience:mad:

I think i should have been forewarned by the EOC community that between washing then a claybar, washing then waxing then doing the panels then the large windows and sunroof, I have had lost my entire day to this project. I have never cleaned a vehicle larger than a maxima (I can see the roof.) This really is an all day event. I started at 8 and finished at 5. Anyway the clay bar works fantastic(Mothers.) Since i just put in my order for Z 5 pro and wont be expecting it til next week, i decided to try the Ice from TW. It is awful...its like I'm smearing concrete on to my finish. It also requires a ton of elbow grease. Alright enough of my complaining just wanted people to plan for the whole day being spent with your E. Heres some photos of her Finished

Hmmm...I use Turtle Wax Ice on my E. Works great for me.
Are you using the liquid or the paste?
I use the liquid and it goes on nice and easy.
I also use the quick detail spray for in between waxing and cleaning bird droppings.(They have to come off the paint the moment I see them.)

From my understanding and search, those rust spots, are rail dust (friction between rail car wheels and tracks) The paint sucks it up like a magnet.
I purchased a 09 EX delivered to Canada, with the paint all rough. Would not wash/pressure wash off. Clayed the Element twice baby smooth.

My neighbour had the same issue on a Dodge Nitro, I clayed and waxed it. He was amazed and very thankful.

What scratch remover and wax do you recommend?

I constantly get terminology mixed up... wax, carnuba wax, tech wax, quick detail spray, paint sealant.... whats the difference? (autogeek is slowly fixing this).

i personally turn to PoorBoys SSR line, specifically 2.5 as a screatch remover.

check out the products on autogeek.net :)


my detail process on my cars(and it does that a day or two).

wash with dawn soap -- gets all wax off
claybar
scratch remover if needed
Klasse Sealer
Klasse All in One -- need to leave it on the car for 24 hour period
P21 carnuba wax.

its a long process....but i only have to do it twice a year :)

wash with dawn soap -- gets all wax off
claybar
scratch remover if needed
Klasse Sealer
Klasse All in One -- need to leave it on the car for 24 hour period
P21 carnuba wax.

its a long process....but i only have to do it twice a year :)

BurnoutX,

Zaino makes an All In One now. You don't leave it on for 24 hours, works very nice and lasts a long time. Will save you a day:D

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=9

Hmmm...I use Turtle Wax Ice on my E. Works great for me.
Are you using the liquid or the paste?
I use the liquid and it goes on nice and easy.
I also use the quick detail spray for in between waxing and cleaning bird droppings.(They have to come off the paint the moment I see them.)



BigTzElement,

First let me say sharp ride!!!:) Who makes those wheels? I really like them.

As far a TW ice goes, I have used it and it's good but I don't think it gives you the depth as some of the other products out there. The cool thing is it doesn't show on plastic.:D You might try using a Klasse or a Zaino on a fender next to the ice and see the difference. That's what I did then you can really compare.

Again, VERY NICE RIDE! I really like the balance you have.:smile:

I have some tar, bugs, and wax spray remnant all over the plastic panels...going to stop by my local AutoZone and pick up one of these after it was recommend and try it out.

BurnoutX,

Zaino makes an All In One now. You don't leave it on for 24 hours, works very nice and lasts a long time. Will save you a day:D

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=9

oh nice. i use the classic contours kit from klasse which comes w/the polish and the sealer. i'll have to try it out once i run out of the AIO.

thanks buck :)

Out of curiosity, are those using clay bars on the plastic panels finding good results? I attempted to apply the process twice on each panel today and didn't see much of an improvment.

Who makes those wheels? I really like them.



My rims are made by Konig, the model is Unknown. Size is 20 inches.

I tried it on one side, but soon realized it was a waste of time, didnt notice any difference

i work at a power plant, with two others within a mile, two alcohol refineries within that distance also.
my roof and hood get coated with sticky pollutants daily.
finally got off my lazy rear end and used the clay bar kit form turtle wax. i really like the results, could see and feel the nasty stuff coming off the metal.
didn't use it on the plastic panels.
overall, very satisfied.

I clay bar'd mine this weekend for the first time. Wow, what a difference! I wash and wax my E on a regular basis, but could feel the little bits of tar, etc.... on the doors. Well, it took that all off no problem, and now my paint feels like glass and shines like it too. :D