1 clay bar for 1 car, one time?

[prr]

I just applied the clay bar from the car cleaner kit onto my Civic. I was stunned (after washing it with GC wash) at how much brown ooze was coming off onto the clay bar, and even more, was still on the car itself. I even had to use two towels to dry it off, as I just couldn't stomach the idea of a towel with gunk on it being applied to the paint. Of course I would rub it on, then rub the back side of the clay, and then remold it.

My question is--how many times can I clay a car with the same bar? Each time I would remold it, remarkably enough the bar looked pretty darn clean. But I know that lots of little grime gremlins are hiding in this bar somewhere, and I don't want to place them back onto the paint.

So how many times? I'd love to save money and keep using it, but not at the expense of my paint.

[imz4n]

The clay can be used for several cars. The big thing here is if you ever drop it or leave it out where sand or rocks or anything gets in the clay, throw it away. The clay will tell you when it is time to replace, the clay will get sticky and stick to the car or your hands and become unusable.

[Murr1525]

Yeah. claying is surprising if never done before.

It is generally best/easiest to just use one side of the clay, then fold it over on itself so that side goes into the middle.

Slowly the bar will turn dark gray over time, and you may see little bits coming back to the surface. That is a good time to stop.

It is possible that 1 car could use up an entire clay kit, though not usually. But even if it does, the future clayings wont. Unless you really get splashed by something bad I guess. But yeah, one clay kit could last me a couple years, just buying more QD spray.

[prr]

OK, well this morning sold me on claying. That and seeing this post in another older thread: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...l=1#post224409

Couldn't believe that that clay was from going over a new paint job, 30 days old. Now I don't feel so bad. My clay was brown, not black.

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

That's my motto
check out the speedy prep towle and the Nano Auto Scuber
You think clay is amazing, then the Auto Scruber will blow your mind!

[STRIFE]

^ i have the speedy prep towels (both grades) and been eyeing the autoscrub DA pads available at AG....big question for me has been....do I really need to use a DA to "clay" The speedy prep towels make "claying" such a simple easy task....I mean "normal" claying is fairly easy as well

[Murr1525]

Yeah, will take some effort to convince me on DA claying, at least on a car that is in good shape already.

[GoZoner]

... I would rub it on, then rub the back side of the clay, and then remold it.

Wait. Are you rubbing the clay bar on one side, turning it over, rubbing it on the back side, and then remolding it? If so, that is a BIG (BIG) no-no. The back side of the clay bar should never touch anything but your fingers. To remold it, just fold it over with the dirty side on the inside - that way the old back side, which is clean, is now ready to touch the paint.

[prr]

Wait. Are you rubbing the clay bar on one side, turning it over, rubbing it on the back side, and then remolding it? If so, that is a BIG (BIG) no-no. The back side of the clay bar should never touch anything but your fingers. To remold it, just fold it over with the dirty side on the inside - that way the old back side, which is clean, is now ready to touch the paint.

Yes, I rub the clay bar on one side, then turn it over, and rub it on the back side.

OK, if it is better to do it the other way (rub it on one side, then fold it over before rubbing it onto the car again), I can do that, but why? Why isn't it a good idea to use both new/clean sides, before remolding it?

[Murr1525]

Just using one side then folding in on itself seems to help keep the clay you are using clean as long as possible.