Clay Bar

[petrolhead76]

I'm hearing great things about "clay bars" being the ultimate item to get the showroom finish.

I've got a black M3 (2004) and was thinking of getting one to use.

Has anyone used one (esp on black) ? Was it easy to use and did it live up the hype ?

Thanks.

[Parrot of Doom]

Yes. Its a piece of blue tack and some swishy polish liquid stuff. You wipe it around and it picks up tiny bits of cack that your sponge won't. It makes the paintwork as smooth as a baby's bum.

So yes buy one.

[MrV]

Haven't used it on black , but yep it is the dogs big hairy ones when it comes to giving your P&J a really good start to a detailing

Make sure you use lots of lube and keep turning it in on its self when you use it though

[Platinum]

You can certainly feel the difference. I'm not sure if the clay itself makes the bodywork look better, but the lubricant (megiuers (sp?) detailer) may do.

[outnumbered]

I've used one on my M3. It did a great job at removing crud from the paintwork, and it left the paint surface feeling incredibly smooth.

Clay won't do anything to get rid of swirl marks though.

Have a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk for more info than you could possibly imagine exists on the subject of cleansing your vehicle.

[HarveyB]

Yes- what they said. it's not difficult and it can make a big difference.

[petrolhead76]

Thanks guys - I'll buy a clay bar tomorrow and give it swirl (so to speak!). Hopefully I won't screw up my paintwork - lol.

[David Godfrey]

MrV said:

Make sure you use lots of lube and keep turning it in on its self when you use it though

This is very important or your very likely going to scratch it.

[petrolhead76]

Perhaps I should leave it to a professional !

[David Godfrey]

petrolhead76 said:

Perhaps I should leave it to a professional !

Nope, just do little section at a time, ensure you use the spray that comes with the kit (usually) fold the clay bar onto it's self to end up with clean clay and you should be good.

It does give a very smooth finish, and is well worth the effort

[petrolhead76]

Thanks - does it give it a high gloss finish ?

[pmanson]

petrolhead76 said:

Thanks - does it give it a high gloss finish ?

Yes without a doubt!

Use the claybar (as previously described), then I used the Megiurs 1,2 and 3 stage process (paint clean, polish then wax)

Before:


After (4hrs later):

[pmanson]

BTW it works very well on black cars, but remember your removing all the tar spots, dirt and the WAX off the car! You need to reapply some wax to protect the paint afterwards.

[MrV]

petrolhead76 said:

Thanks - does it give it a high gloss finish ?

No its not a polish or a wax ,its purpose is to remove all the crud that accumulates on the paintwork ,then you polish or wax thats what gives the high gloss finish

[David Godfrey]

clean and shiny - yes, High gloss not really.

wash
dry
clay bar bits that need attention
then wax

Should stay shiny for a while, well with this weather atleast 5 mins.

[smiller]

^

+1

The difference after using a clay is incredible.

[.. al]

Agreed. I used a clay bar that uses water as a lube to do the Alfa a few months back. The car had driven 3,000 summer miles without a wash and was minging. But to do the entire front (up to the rear of the front wheel arches) and the windscreen took me about 10 minutes. The only down side is that it shows up all the paint scratches and impact damage when you've done it. Flies, sap, tar, bird shit, general road crap and metallic brake disc particles were gone almost instantly and I know I sound like a geek, but the paint was like glass when I had finished. I'm now a clay convert. If you haven't tried it, you should do.

Before.


10 minutes later, literally. It polished up a treat too.

Piece of piss to use.

[KingRichard]

MrV said:

Make sure you use lots of lube and keep turning it in on its self when you use it though

Fnarr, Fnarr...

[snotrag]

HarveyB said:

Yes- what they said. it's not difficult and it can make a big difference.

Piece of piss. I pondered it for ages, then bought a meguiars kit. Dead easy - and works fantastically well. Gets all those little tar spots off brilliantly. Do half a panel and run your hands over the change, the difference is incredible.

[KingRichard]

.. al said:

Agreed. I used a clay bar that uses water as a lube to do the Alfa a few months back. The car had driven 3,000 summer miles without a wash and was minging. But to do the entire front (up to the rear of the front wheel arches) and the windscreen took me about 10 minutes. The only down side is that it shows up all the paint scratches and impact damage when you've done it. Flies, sap, tar, bird shit, general road crap and metallic brake disc particles were gone almost instantly and I know I sound like a geek, but the paint was like glass when I had finished. I'm now a clay convert. If you haven't tried it, you should do.

Before.


10 minutes later, literally. It polished up a treat too.

Piece of piss to use.

That's amazing!