Clay Bar questions..

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by tgfhatch
I'm going to be honest, I'm reading a lot of horror stories about people who've scratched the hell out of their clear coat when claying! and I'm defiantly not a professional detailer so I'm a little nervous about this process.

what i'll do if i scratch the clear coat

Unless you use a piece of clay that has been dropped and picked up some grit, you shouldn't have any worries about it scratching the finish.

I'd be wary about using the same clay on the bottom areas, unless you want to save it for just that.

[Murr1525]

Scratching my car

This is what I was referring too..

Also, Rusty makes a good point, working top down is good as well if your car is dirty. You can even go over with a paint cleaner quickly first to get the big stuff, then clay, then give the paint a good cleaning. Thats a bit extreme for most cars, but people who go to the track, etc need to do that sometimes.

I'll assume you read things from pople who used good quality clay, lubricant, etc. "Joe and Bob's Miracle Clay" isnt the best place to start, have to use good products. Also, keep in mind that after a realy good cleaning, things that you couldnt see before can appear. But whenever I've used clay, Meguiars and other companies when needed, I have had great results.

[bobat]

The trick to using a clay bar is to think in terms of "guiding" it over the surface. You don't rub the surface!

You'll get to notice the tactile and aural feedback you get pretty quickly. It's really quite easy!

[MandarinaRacing]

Before claying for the first time I was really apprehensive, but if you follow the advice given here you'll be fine! And it really easy, trust me, you'll love the outcome. It's really amazing all the nasty stuff that's embeded in the paint and you can't see !

Claying = GOOD!

Alex

[TOGWT]

Some detailing clay pointers-

•Spray a 2-foot by 2-foot surface with a lubricating solution (WooliteTM or Dreft™ / Water 5:1), ensure that the surface being clayed is always wet (important enough to restate- ensure that the surface being clayed is always wet)
•Inspect the clay’s surface often, knead /fold to provide a clean surface as necessary
•Glide the clay across the area in a front to back straight-line aquaplaning type motion, Use long strokes without lifting the clay from the surface
•Use a light to medium even pressure until the surface becomes smooth and silent.
•If the Clay is streaking on the paint, you need to apply more lubricating solution, it is better to over lubricate the paint film surface than let it dry-out
JonM

[rusty bumper]

Woolite for clay lube?

[TOGWT]

As long as the liquid provides adequate lubrication it doesn’t really matter what the brand name is.

Only thing to worry about is any clay lube that contains alcohol or mineral spirits as these will dry out the clay and makes it crumble.
JonM

[Superior Shine]

when i hang my arm out the window, i can feel all these little bumps that aren't noticable but i can fill.

Just clay the area you can feel when you hang your arm out the window and your clay bar will last longer.