Clay bars

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:59 am

Hey peeps.

Probably a silly question to ask but if anyone has used clay bars on their cars, whats best process to use.

There are 2 videos on you tube I watched which are giving me conflicting info.

One says you need to use some sort of spray on the clay bar and other says just use the bar on the car, in an up and down motion.

None of then said if the car needed to be cleaned ie washed or just wiped down afterwards

Cheers

Ranj

mills · Post by **mills** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:31 am

Definitely clean the car 1st. Then keep the clay wet by dipping in a bucket of water. Works great for me

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:37 am

Yes wash the car the best you can first.

Some clay bars require their own special fluid. Sone only water.

I'm a fan of the bilt hamber soft clay. It uses only water.

Keep it wet and lightly rub the clay over the paintwork and you Will feel it removing the contaminants. It should glide across the paintwork. Any friction and it's you dry and you will marr the paint. Keep turning the clay.

preludemanh22 · Post by **preludemanh22** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:41 am

use iron x and tar x prior to clay and see the results

where mask and gloves don't leave sit to long a must before the clay

preludemanh22 · Post by **preludemanh22** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:41 am

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:44 pm

I brought some off ebay for a tenner which didn't come with instructions. lol.

Will wash the car first but once the clay goes on do I need to wash it again to get it off or can I just wipe it down. Once the car has been clay barred then im going to wax and polish it.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:54 pm

I also use the BH clay bar which only needs water but I prepare a spray of water mixed with a bit of Zymol (car wash) in it. This acts as a lubricant. You need to not go mad with pressure on the clay bar otherwise it will mark the paint, let it glide over the paint. You will feel the resistance of dirt being lifted, as soon as this turns into a smooth glide move on, regularly fold the piece of clay so you are never rubbing in the dirt collected. You will soon get the knack of it.

Free Ranj Egg · Post by **Free Ranj Egg** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:06 pm

Cheers bud.

Shiny · Post by **Shiny** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 6:54 pm

You need a good strong shampoo/water mix for normal clay. Keep the area you are working on with well lubricated.

As H10ndr says above, let the clay do the work, move it lightly across the paintwork, straight lines are better. You'll know when it has done its job as the paint will go supper slippy and there will be no resistance when moving the clay. Only use a small amount of clay, soften it in your hands like you would work a bit of putty. Fold your clay regularly, if it gets too contaminated use a fresh bit. If you drop it, bin it.

I've moved into a clay mit, you can clay the car in a fraction of the time, only need a bucket of water/shampoo and dip it in like you would a sponge. If you drop it, just rinse it off in the bucket. Job done.

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:43 pm

Shiny wrote: I've moved into a clay mit, you can clay the car in a fraction of the time, only need a bucket of water/shampoo and dip it in like you would a sponge. If you drop it, just rinse it off in the bucket. Job done.

Once i have used all my clay up ill be using that. Its just a shame i have another 2 years worth of clay still to use.