clay bar?

[team green]

I read on the back of my Meguiar's wax that I should use a clay bar to remove the imperfections from the paint surface before waxing. I have an 85 F250 and have waxed it religiously. The paint looks great, but I am wondering if the clay bar will make it shine more. On a side note, I also want to shine my Honda us as well. (No, I AM NOT A RICER...I just can't justify driving the 460 45 miles each way to work at about 8 miles a gallon!) Thanks for the advice.

[RangerRuss]

The clay bar is designed to remove surface imperfections - e.g. overspray and other "film" that accumulates on the surface. It's purpose is not to make the car shine but removing the surface "crud" can only help. Visit Meguiars.com and they go into considerable detail about how to use their products.

Good Luck

Russ

[Cujo31]

As RangerRuss said, claybar *deep* cleans the paints pores you can say. All the contaminants that will end up causing rust to form on the body is what clay will take off the paint. Clay is very safe for the paint but will also take off the wax so make sure you re wax after. The only reason Clay seems to make paint shine after is because of the QD being used which does shine paint. I didnt care much for the Meguiar's bar because it seemed to stick to the paint even when well lubed. I prefer Clay Magic, Poorboy's and will even toss Mother's in there as well. Plus the QD for Mother's smells really good lol

Cujo

[jim henderson]

Clay bars do a wonderful job of cleaning and essentially smoothing the paint. You must wax after but the wax will be very nice.

Use plenty of lube with the clay or it will stick. Water will do in a pinch. Never drop the bar since it will pick up grit and dirt which you really don't want to grind into the paint.

Once or twice a year is good.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

[Cujo31]

Also ... cut your clay into 2-3 pieces. In case you drop a piece you have another handy. If you drop an entire bar thats a LOT of money in the trash.

Cujo

[HeatStroked]

Mothers, Maguires, etc. are all good products. Try products from Griot's, they offer fine wax and paint finish products for concourse type finishes for exotics, collectors cars, etc.
www.griotsgarage.com

[hood]

team green:

I totally agree with cujo 31 about Meguiar's clay bar sticking. I tossed mine out.... it made a heck of a mess. Mother's clay bar is my choice.

You will not be disappointed after you clay out your car. The paint will feel as smooth as glass.

Here is another example of how great clay is for your paint. My brother was backing out his car and rubbed up against the vinyl siding on the house. Well, the rear bumper on the Sable looked really nasty. I took the clay bar to it and after about 10 minutes of working on it you could not see any of the vinyl streaks that were in the paint. This stuff removes almost anything, i use it on all my cars and trucks.

-hooD