ClubCalibra | Guide - How to clay bar your car
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Offline SpecialEdition

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Guide - How to clay bar your car
« on: June 07, 2010, 21:13:39 PM »
No guide section for valeting, so posted this here. I am writing a few pieces on how to valet cars, seeing as not every one knows what techniques are out there. Thought I might as well share some knowledge with other members. This may be a bit noddy for some but if it helps one member then its worth the trouble Hope this is the right place to post so enjoy




 When you wash your car next, take a closer look at your paint work. Try running a finger across it. I can almost guarantee that it feels anything less than pristine. The paintwork will still feel rough to the touch. This is because it’s still dirty!! Shock horror!!
The reason for this is that there are particles which are not visible to the naked eye, stuck in all the microscopic bumps in the paint. These particles are stuck in a way which normal washing is ineffective.
What’s happened is that all the crap –that’s a technical reference by the way, have actually jammed themselves in to the paint. Wash mitts and sponges; just don’t have the grip or suction, to remove these little bastards. So you’re left with a clean car that’s still dirty. 

Welcome the peoples champion….The clay bar

What has clay got to do with cleaning your car? You may ask. Well the clay bar runs over you paint and when teamed up with a good lube, the stickiness combined with the suction created, is strong enough to remove minute contaminants embedded in the paint. That's what a clay bar does: cleans the paint surface down to its pure paint self

Automotive paint clay is a very fine grade of fine , a bit like some clays used by geeks in model making. Used by valeters and detailing freaks for ages , the clay bar and its usefulness has only in recent years been bought to the public’s attention. Used with a lubricating spray (often a detailing spray is suffice - ) that allows the otherwise super-tacky clay to glide without marring the paint itself, the clay bar can be the tool to step from having a clean car to having a CLEAN car

Using clay is remarkably simple even angus could do it. First start off with a freshly cleaned vehicle, wet a section of the vehicle's paint (do one section at a time) with the clay lubricant and after warming the clay bar up in your hand by turning it on its self a few times, and rub the clay on the paint. As you use the clay, keep turning it on its self to keep it clean. Do this after each panel. You want to have fresh clay touching the paint. Dry off completed portions of paint with a fresh clean microfibre cloth.  As you get used to the clay you can hear it. When it’s picking up the dirt, it may sound rough, and once all contaminates are collected, it will run across the paint fast and smooth.

Don't forget to use plenty of lubricant. Too much can be mopped up with the towel. Using too little risks allowing the clay to stick your paint.  If this happens just spray a little bit of lube and wipe off. Also most paint overspray can be removed with clay bar. Note that clay can strip wax from paint, so be prepared to re-wax the vehicle's surface after using clay on it. Some clays are harder than others and leave less margin for error between effective lubrication and not enough. Again, use some detailer and wipe of any clay from the paint

Clay bar treatment kits are available that provide you with clay, lube and a microfiber for under £15. I personally use a megs clay bar and use DemonShine quick detailer as a lube. Solely for the reason that the detailer is cheap and works really well as a lube

What have you got to lose? Give it a go, I then recommend using a 3 stage polish system of a paint cleaner, polish and wax for the best results.
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Online ALZ1307

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2010, 21:36:31 PM »
Placed in here for you.
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Offline Gav

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2010, 21:44:00 PM »
Surely it would be better off in the 'Spraying and Bodywork' section NanaALZ?
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Offline angus346

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2010, 21:45:15 PM »
is it really THAT easy >:( nice guide mate ;)
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Online ALZ1307

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2010, 21:47:45 PM »
Quote from: CaptainChaos on June 07, 2010, 21:44:00 PM
Surely it would be better off in the 'Spraying and Bodywork' section NanaALZ?

Done! forgot about that section, lol!
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Offline Dave

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2010, 22:26:37 PM »
I can confirm, clay bars are definately the way to go, did it on my old car, and the transformation was incredible!

And yes Anus, it is THAT easy!!

I would just like to add, foe everybody else that sees this;

1. wash car
2. dry car
3. clay car
4. wash car again
5. dry car
6. wax car
7. Enjoy :)
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Offline SpecialEdition

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2010, 00:13:02 AM »
I don't wash the car after claying as I use megs paint cleaner then polish then wax, I have the three stage kit. yes Angus it is that easy that's why in the guide I put its that simple Angus could do it lol :P thanks for the feedback guys more guides to come so keep your eyes peeled
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Offline Dave

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2010, 00:17:06 AM »
Angus, supply the kit, and I will happily do this for you if you want! Something strangely satisfying claying a car lol
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Offline SpecialEdition

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2010, 00:21:56 AM »
I recomend doing it twice in winter the once in spring, summer and autumn, don't do it too much as it does remove your wax and sealers
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Offline Dave

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2010, 00:23:38 AM »
I thought you were only supposed to clay no more than every 6months???
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Offline SpecialEdition

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2010, 00:31:20 AM »
I have followed that rule but found after three months the paint gets dirty again so I started doing it every three months, and twice max in winter due to the salt and extra dirt on the roads, this suits my urban and rural area, eg live in town work in countryside.
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Offline Dave

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2010, 00:32:32 AM »
Best thing about car ownership in Ireland! They dont salt the roads :D
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Offline don-dice

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2010, 09:49:41 AM »
too much like hard work for me, im too lazy for that :P
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Offline Phil.

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2010, 11:26:49 AM »
Looking forward to the rest of the guides :) I only discovered Claying last year but it really does make the paint shine. The lexus I just got I washed it 3 times one day and even after that the clay bar picked up dirt thatI couldn't even see :D
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Offline angus346

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2010, 11:48:29 AM »
Quote from: wcKo on June 08, 2010, 00:13:02 AM
yes Angus it is that easy that's why in the guide I put its that simple Angus could do it lol
yeah i seen it mate don't worry :D
Quote from: cally-dave on June 08, 2010, 00:17:06 AM
Angus, supply the kit, and I will happily do this for you if you want! Something strangely satisfying claying a car lol
yeah well you can come here and do it then :P
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Offline Dave

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Re: Guide - How to clay bar your car
« Reply #15 on: June 08, 2010, 14:07:34 PM »
no, you can come here cuntface :P
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