Claybar questions

[Mark2]

Hi
I have never used a clybar before so i got one yesterday and now i have a few questions.
It's the Overspray Clay(Black plastic can) and they didn't have any lubricant intended for it. I read that some people just use soap and water or just water to lubricate the paint while claying. is this a good method or is there anything else i can use as a lubricant? How do i know when the claybar should be replaced, will it get dirty or will it dry out or something else?

Any help is appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Hi,

Alot of people will tend to use a product like 'Quick Detailer' to lubricate the clay.
The clay wont pull off 'big' chunks of dirt, but little specs will build up. When it does, you just have to knead, or fold the clay so the the dirty layer goes to the inside, and fresh clay is exposed.

Hope that helps some..

[Mad iX]

I've clayed while washing and after washing using soapy water (from car shampoo).
I think it works best when used with a quick detailer for lube, but soapy water is fine. Just be sure to apply enough of it, and check the clay after each panel. If you see some dirt, knead it until you have a clean surface to work with again. When you can't get any fresh clay anymore, it's time to toss it in the bin. I usually "demote" the clay to use on glass surfaces and my wheels.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Firstly, take the clay and divide it in 1/3 portions. If you drop a piece while claying, you must throw it out! Knead the clay into a flat piece. I prefer to use a QD for its better lubricity. I use Meguiar's #34 Final Inspection.

Final Inspection




Spray the panel thoroughly with #34 and use the clay in a side to side motion. You will be able to feel the contaminents as they are being removed. Wipe clean with a MF towel.

I hope this helps!

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Claybar questions

Originally posted by Mark2
I read that some people just use soap and water or just water to lubricate the paint while claying.

Production detail shops will do this, here's how.

After washing the car and rinsing it off, while it's still wet, (they haven't dried it off yet), they will dip their clay bar into their bucket of soapy water and and use their car wash soap and the water still on the car as the lubricant and quickly clay the car. Then they will give the car a final rinse and dry.

It's important to note that they washed and rinsed the loosened dirt from the car before claying.

This saves them a step or two as well as time.

Normally, most people use a quick detailer to lubricate the surface and the clay while claying.

Mike

[Mark2]

Thank you all for the information:

So final inspection or quick detailer or the other sprays you use with the clay isn't a special spray only intended for using with clay, it's just a liquid quick wax?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Mark2
Thank you all for the information:

So final inspection or quick detailer or the other sprays you use with the clay isn't a special spray only intended for using with clay, it's just a liquid quick wax?

No.

You just referenced two completely different products, quick detailers and spray waxes.

Quick Detailers are high lubricity sprays that can be used to remove light dust, finger prints smudges and in emergencies, bird droppings. Because they offer a lot of slip and lubrication, they also work well and are used to lubricate the surface when claying. Quick detailers can be used for both.


Spray waxes are for restoring, "That Just Waxed Look", they cannot be used with a clay bar.

Mike

[Mark2]

OK
Thanks for the reply Mike, and i'm sorry for asking stupid questions.
I tried the claybar today on a black Ford with some overspray on it. I washed it and then i used some fresh water with soap as a lubricant. I used a MF cloth to keep the bar and paint wet while slowly claying the paint. It really removed the overspray quite easily. The only problem is that it's difficult to know where you have used the clay enough, becouse the sudsy water makes even the surfaces that has not been clayed feel smooth. I guess i'll have to do it one more time then. I'll try to get some 34 or Final Inspection to use as a lubricant, but i think water+ soap works great too.

Clay is great

[dave_st170]

Do you clay up and down??


Dave

[Mike Phillips]

Meguiar's teaches that as long as the products you are using are not putting scratches into the finish, then it doesn't matter which way you move your hand.

If you notice the products you're using are putting scratches into the finish, it's not time to change the way you move your hand, it's time to re-evaluate the products you're using.

Mike

[Mark2]

Well I just basically moved the claybar back and forth or up and down with very light pressure. It was quite easy to realise how it should be used even though it's new to me. I also noticed that using warm soapy water makes the clay much easier to knead so it's flat and clean all the time. I didn't notice any scratches at all after using the clay.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Mark2
OK
Thanks for the reply Mike, and I'm sorry for asking stupid questions.

There is no such thing as a stupid question on this forum, we're all learning all the time. My reply was just to point out to anyone reading this thread that there is a very distinct difference between a quick detailer and a spray-on wax.

[Lt1Corvette]

When using final inspection for claying. Do you mix it with h2o or use it as is out of the bottle?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Lt1Corvette
When using final inspection for claying. Do you mix it with h2o or use it as is out of the bottle?

Straight out of the bottle. Last Touch is diluted 50/50

Mike