Clay bars - amazing

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Discussion

SuperAd

Original Poster:

57 posts

90 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Quiet afternoon post footy so decided to go to town on the paint on my white 16 Plate 3 series, 12 months old but the paint was covered in tar spots and what looked like metal iron flecks (I think from the brake pads). Tar came off nice and easy with some remover and the clay bar was a revelation, very easy and amazing result. Car looks like new.

If you're thinking about it, spend a tenner and have a go.

J4CKO

41,276 posts

199 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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I tend to use wash, use tar remover next, then clay, machine polish then wax, you can get stuff to remove iron from paint, never tried it though.

Drive Blind

5,076 posts

176 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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i do it once a year

wash, clay, polish, wax. Takes about 12-14 hours total.

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

160 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Caddyshack

10,598 posts

205 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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A product called dragons breath removes iron from paint, I used it for the first time this weekend on some Range Rover wheels...it is great stuff....just stinks...like dragons breath.

SuperAd

Original Poster:

57 posts

90 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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This was wash, tar removal and wheel cleaner, wash, rinse, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish. Autoglym super resin polish went on and polished of lovely.

It's a shame it's not a dark colour, my previous car was black metallic, that looked amazing night or day when polished up, the white just loos really clean if that doesn't sound daft.

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

197 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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SuperAd said:
This was wash, tar removal and wheel cleaner, wash, rinse, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish. Autoglym super resin polish went on and polished of lovely.

It's a shame it's not a dark colour, my previous car was black metallic, that looked amazing night or day when polished up, the white just loos really clean if that doesn't sound daft.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Autoglym SRP isn't a top coat, and thus ought to be 'sealed' with a wax or similar product (Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection springs to mind).
Mind you, I did spend an unhealthy amount of time on the detailing world threads a few years ago, before realising that at 4-500 miles a week it was rather futile.

SuperAd

Original Poster:

57 posts

90 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Super Slo Mo said:
SuperAd said:
This was wash, tar removal and wheel cleaner, wash, rinse, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish. Autoglym super resin polish went on and polished of lovely.

It's a shame it's not a dark colour, my previous car was black metallic, that looked amazing night or day when polished up, the white just loos really clean if that doesn't sound daft.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Autoglym SRP isn't a top coat, and thus ought to be 'sealed' with a wax or similar product (Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection springs to mind).
Mind you, I did spend an unhealthy amount of time on the detailing world threads a few years ago, before realising that at 4-500 miles a week it was rather futile.
Yes I think your right, I didn't have any wax etc and was half 7 Sunday night so local car place would be shut. I'm doing about that a week so part of me says just take it through the £3 rotary Tesco wash once a week so it looks presentable, part of me thinks get the paint work protected.

Speed addicted

5,561 posts

226 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Super Slo Mo said:
SuperAd said:
This was wash, tar removal and wheel cleaner, wash, rinse, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish. Autoglym super resin polish went on and polished of lovely.

It's a shame it's not a dark colour, my previous car was black metallic, that looked amazing night or day when polished up, the white just loos really clean if that doesn't sound daft.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Autoglym SRP isn't a top coat, and thus ought to be 'sealed' with a wax or similar product (Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection springs to mind).
Mind you, I did spend an unhealthy amount of time on the detailing world threads a few years ago, before realising that at 4-500 miles a week it was rather futile.
You're right enough, the SRP is polish and should be followed up with wax. I use the Autoglym HD wax with good results.
I've also had white cars and found them to be quite unsatisfying to wax. It's also a pain to see the bits you've done.

I also generally clay the car once a year or so. It's a day of washing/polishing and waxing but it lasts ages and makes the car a lot easier to clean for months.


Edited by Speed addicted on Sunday 21st May 22:30

Dolf Stoppard

1,318 posts

121 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Interesting. I've used both (a lot) and think the mits are great. A lot easier to use than the traditional clay and I've had no problem re-using mine - whereas I'd never re-use a traditional clay bar.

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

160 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I beg to differ.
Not a patch on the real Clay Bar stuff.

Fine for a once over, but not for a good job
Can't say I've had too many problems with the one I'm using now, it leaves the paint glassy and smooth, and I deal with tar spots using Tardis, Iron with Dragons Breath.

What do you not rate about them?

saaby93

32,038 posts

177 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Why does no one else find that the bits of grit taken off by the clay bar can scratch the rest of the car frown

SuperAd

Original Poster:

57 posts

90 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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Bilthammer clay worked well for me. Never used clay before, just used water spray for lubrication and kept my eye out for the clay getting dirty and used about 4 small pieces for the whole car

mr_spock

3,340 posts

214 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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saaby93 said:
Why does no one else find that the bits of grit taken off by the clay bar can scratch the rest of the car frown
You have to turn and fold it often to present a clean surface. And don't use the whole thing at once.

Warby80

330 posts

91 months

Sunday 21st May 2017
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mr_spock said:
saaby93 said:
Why does no one else find that the bits of grit taken off by the clay bar can scratch the rest of the car frown
You have to turn and fold it often to present a clean surface. And don't use the whole thing at once.
Using clay almost always ends up with some surface marring no matter how careful you are, wether people care/know enough to see it is a different matter.

I wont use it unless i know i am going to be doing atleast a light machine polish afterwards. Something like Super Resin Polish will hide the marring but only for a while.

ecsrobin

17,016 posts

164 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Blue Oval84 said:
I beg to differ.
Not a patch on the real Clay Bar stuff.

Fine for a once over, but not for a good job
I did a detailing Day recently and the chap said steer well clear of mitts. I believe it was because you can't fold it like a bar so potential for scratching.

ash reynolds

468 posts

190 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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As already mention, Dragons Breath or Iron X. These were the next greatest revelation for me after the clay bar. I had very rough wheels post track day and discovered this product effortlessly restores the wheels to their former glory without harsh abrasion. Also works well on paintwork, paint occasionally develops little gold spots which are removed with this. Doesn't remove wax either.

Not forgetting the two bucket method, preferably with grit guards in.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Speed addicted said:
You're right enough, the SRP is polish and should be followed up with wax. I use the Autoglym HD wax with good results.
I've also had white cars and found them to be quite unsatisfying to wax. It's also a pain to see the bits you've done.

I also generally clay the car once a year or so. It's a day of washing/polishing and waxing but it lasts ages and makes the car a lot easier to clean for months.


Edited by Speed addicted on Sunday 21st May 22:30
SRP isn't really a polish either, I view it more of a pre-wax cleanser or a filler polish. smile

Before claying I would use chemicals like Iron X and Tardis to remove the majority of contaminants and then clay after.
After claying I would always recommend polishing as you can very easily leave clay marring (fine scratches).

The best clay is Bilt Hamber and you can use a spray bottle with a bit of car shampoo and water as a lubricant, you don't need this fancy "detail spray" at a ridiculous price.

swisstoni

16,844 posts

278 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Clay was one of those things I just could not believe could work when I first gave it a try. I mean, how could it?
Big surprise.

I-A

408 posts

156 months

Monday 22nd May 2017
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Detailing season has arrived!

I have used the Bilt Hamber clay bar before - really impressed.

I then bought a clay mitt and was very impressed - I wash it out in soapy water during the process (similar to folding traditional clay). I find it just speeds things up due to the surface area covered.