johnyfartbox
A2OC Donor
I'm thinking off using a clay bar for the first time on the car, will a 200g bar do the whole car if its not to dirty after washing? and which shall I go for, Maguires maybe?
clay barring
- Thread starter johnyfartbox
- Start date
dan_b
A2OC Donor
I've got the Meguiars clay kit - mine came with two bars of clay plus the lubricant spray and a bottle of wax. I've clayed my car about 4 times now and I'm still using the first packet of clay...
Give it a really good clean before you clay, and here's a tip - clay it whilst the car is still wet after you've rinsed off the soapy water - makes it easier for you and saves you a bit of effort!
Once you've clayed it, then the surface will be in the perfect state to polish (eg. with something like Autoglym) and give it a good wax coat too - ideal time now before the winter comes ...
Give it a really good clean before you clay, and here's a tip - clay it whilst the car is still wet after you've rinsed off the soapy water - makes it easier for you and saves you a bit of effort!
Once you've clayed it, then the surface will be in the perfect state to polish (eg. with something like Autoglym) and give it a good wax coat too - ideal time now before the winter comes ...
Bilt Hamber clay won the AutoExpress test. One of the advantages is you can use it with water so don't need special lubricant. - http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-59420-bilt-hamber-auto-clay-regular.aspx
Cheers Spike
Cheers Spike
johnyfartbox
A2OC Donor
Cheers guys, ordered the Bilt Hamber off ebay, £9.99+99p postage. 
the grim reeper
A2OC Donor
Been using my same clay bar for about 3 years now (3M Fine) still as new, a tip for you place the clay in your bucket and leave it there works great NO just kidding
USe it while you are washing/shampooing your car saves time does the same thing, get your clay in one hand sponge in the other, sponge first the rub the clay bar, then rinse with sponge again this acts as your lub so no need to spend money on "speical" stuff. I've been doing it this way for over 15 years
Phil
USe it while you are washing/shampooing your car saves time does the same thing, get your clay in one hand sponge in the other, sponge first the rub the clay bar, then rinse with sponge again this acts as your lub so no need to spend money on "speical" stuff. I've been doing it this way for over 15 years
Phil
Hooley
A2OC Donor
Top tip
That's the 'cheats' way to save time but make sure the first sponging cleans the car. Also not suitable if the car is really filthy, may need washing once before.
J
Posted from my iPlop...
the grim reeper
A2OC Donor
Just a quick tip Don't use the whole bar at once, cut off about 1/4 and use that , then if you accidentally drop it you don't have to bin the whole bar plus as you use it and it gets full of crud you can bin it sooner, Crud and grit in a well used bar can make a big mess of your paintwork so swap to a clean surface often. You'll be amazed at the result I know I was the first time I used it. Happy Polishing
the grim reeper
A2OC Donor
Just a quick tip Don't use the whole bar at once, cut off about 1/4 and use that , then if you accidentally drop it you don't have to bin the whole bar plus as you use it and it gets full of crud you can bin it sooner, Crud and grit in a well used bar can make a big mess of your paintwork so swap to a clean surface often. You'll be amazed at the result I know I was the first time I used it. Happy Polishing
Never dropped my bar and never cut it up, always used full bar and the crud you just fold it into the bar. Its never marked any car i've used mine on and i've never picked up anything that would and i've polished some crappy cars in my days, as my post above still like new after over three years of using
Phil
johnyfartbox
A2OC Donor
Got to admit guys, I was a bit doubtful when I first started using it, it seemed to be doing nothing. I did cut it into four pieces and just kept folding it over when it got dirty (although it wasn't to bad) the feel of the paintwork was super smooth and then i waxed it with a cheapo wax and the finish is great. I would love to see it with a decent wax on it.
Well I must be unlucky because the first time I tried it the bar shot off like an orange pip, landed on the tarmac and got all sorts of crud in it and having looked at some of the detailing forums I wasn't prepared to fold it in and then find later in it's life that I was rubbing grit all over the paintwork. The way I use it isn't definative, just a tip from experience!!
bretti_kivi
Member
we tend to use small, broad-bean sized pieces and flatten them. Since we tend to drop 1-2 per car, it's not really an issue. The first box of clay lasted 3 years or so, we're on the second. My car is done twice a year and we've done at least another 4-5 otherwise.
Bret
Bret
Colin Shurvell
Member
Ive yet to try my clay kit (Turtle) but cant imagine how long and how I'm going to rub the whole car in one direction with a 'broad bean' sized piece, which is why I hav'nt yet done it. Maybe wait until next spring now as winter has now arrived (or feels like it) here in UK. Colin
bretti_kivi
Member
prep the shuts (inside the doors etc)
rinse
wash with two bucket method
clay
wash again
rinse
dry
wax
^^that's the "short" version and it should take max two hours. Most of which is waiting for the car to dry completely.
Bret
rinse
wash with two bucket method
clay
wash again
rinse
dry
wax
^^that's the "short" version and it should take max two hours. Most of which is waiting for the car to dry completely.
Bret