No-name stuff on ebay. It's only $5 with free shipping and I already have 5 full bottles of the instant detailer that's used for lubrication. But, it's no good to me if it'll scratch my car if it's for extreme issues only
I've always been somewhat suspicious of clay bars. There's something about them that just doesn't pass my logic test. They say they pick up impurities from the paint surface but these "impurities" then somehow magically disappear and don't harm the paint as they are rubbed across the surface as you continue on with the clay bar process. Am I missing something with this?
I've always been somewhat suspicious of clay bars. There's something about them that just doesn't pass my logic test. They say they pick up impurities from the paint surface but these "impurities" then somehow magically disappear and don't harm the paint as they are rubbed across the surface as you continue on with the clay bar process. Am I missing something with this?
Hey, I'm with you in theory. But, they do work VERY well. I was of the same belief with those California Car Dusters that EVERYONE seems to use at shows. But, let's try to keep this thread on track so I can make a decision. Thank you
I haven't used a clay bar on my custom paint streetrod but I don't think it would hurt it at all. 18k miles and I don't have any swirls or polish scratches. I wash the car a couple times a week and after any long cruise plus it waxed about every 2 weeks.
Now my dualliy is another story. It gets filthy dirty on the highway and after washing I use the claybar about twice a year. The clay bar does wonders for it. the truck is black and 11 yr old and it looks new after the clay bar rub.
Depending on brand my guess would be yellow is a light or mild clay. Every blue color that I have used has been more aggressive.
BTW non believers, I've used clay on super soft black paint and haven't ever saw a scratch caused by claying the paint. The secret is to use tons of lubricant. Also there is no better way to rid the paint of contaminants.
If the clay bar scratches or marrs your paint, you are not using it correctly. A clay bar will not repair scratches or swirl marks, and it shouldn't create any either. The clay bar is merely removing contaminants that sit on paint and don't come off with an otherwise standard car wash effort. The contaminants are sheared off and picked up, and then held in the clay as the bar glides along on the spray detailer/lubricant. This keeps any of the contaminants which are transferred from the surface to the clay from momentarily 'digging' into the paint as they are picked up. The surface of the paint should feel smooth as a flat, clean mirror, and claying a finish should be followed up with whatever wax/protectorant you use as the process tends to remove existing wax, glaze etc.
No-name stuff on ebay. It's only $5 with free shipping and I already have 5 full bottles of the instant detailer that's used for lubrication. But, it's no good to me if it'll scratch my car if it's for extreme issues only
I've never used any of the ebay stuff, they may be perfectly fine.
I haven't had any issues with the three I mentioned scratching the paint. Start with a clean surface and as others have said use plenty of lubricant/detailer. The Zaino I have uses a mix of their car wash soap and water, I tried it with the Mothers bar and it destroyed the bar.
There is a night and day difference after using it. It isn't only for extreme cases.
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