Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Livermore Maine
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
Anyone tried any of the "clay bar" paint cleaning products for cleaning grime and contaminents out of the paint surface?? Picked some up today and was wondering what to expect.
PETE MORSE
PETE MORSE
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
OUTSTANDING product! You will be amazed at the finish it leaves, and it's the only thing I've found that will really deep-clean the finish without hurting it. What really surprised me is that you can't rub TOO hard with it- as long as you have enough of the spray on the finish, just put the ol' elbow grease into it and clean away. The darker the finish, the more striking the results.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
Depends on how oxidized the paint is. Badly oxidized paint will cause the clay to clump up and stick> The paint should be relatively smooth before you start. If it feels like sand paper, you probably should use a cleaner and or finish restorer before using the clay. Clay works well when the paint is fairly smooth but has those tiny bumps that you can feel with a wet hand.
Be sure to use the spray or water. The clay will stick if you don't use enough liquid to lubricate it.
Jim Henderson
Be sure to use the spray or water. The clay will stick if you don't use enough liquid to lubricate it.
Jim Henderson
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Livermore Maine
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: BC
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
This product does not remove wax from the paint, just thaught i would let you know.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
I just clay bar'd my 97 F 150. I used Mothers Clay bar, wax and polish! What a difference between the before and after results. I picked up a combo package at Advanced Auto for $15. That included the clay bar, lubricating polish for the clay bar and a small bottle of wax. Just be sure not to drop the clay bar. They become very wet and slippery. Or if they are not properly lubriciated, will stop mid stroke. If the clay bar comes in contact with any dirt, do not reuse it. You would be rubbing the dirt from the ground into your paint. Very bad. Some tricks I use: 1) Cut the bar in half. Much less paintful to throw away 1/2 a bar than a whole bar. 2) Wear rubber gloves. Laytex gloves I found to work the best. I found that using the clay bar has improved the look of my truck 100%! I would recommend this trick to anyone! 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
Is the clay bar a substitute for a good fine cut compound using an orbital buffer, or can you use them in conjunction with each other? I'm gonna be doing my Ranger (black CC) applying 3M's "Perfect-It II" rubbing compund with the machine prior to waxing, and was wondering if I ought to/should incorporate the clay bar into the overall process? If it adds another step and more time to the project, that is OK, as long as there is a benefit to doing both. Any opinions on that? Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Clay Bar Paint Cleaner??
I don't think the clay bar acts as even a mild abrasive, could be wrong. I think it is more like a sticky pad that catches those small bits of dirt stuck to the paint. Doesn't seem to remove any paint, just dirt and contaminants stuck to the paint.
I would probably let the paint on your truck set for a month or two to cure. Then you might wash it and clay it then wax it. I would worry that the stickyness might cause fresh paint to catch and peel or wrinkle, I have no idea if this actually would happen.
I have used the stuff on my 3 vehicles and the results are amazing. The paint is so much smoother than even a freshly waxed car. You can really feel the difference just by lightly rubbing your hand over the surface. Next time you wax, gently rub your paint and you will likely still feel a few small grainy spots. With the clay bar you won't find any, if you did the job right.
I really like the stuff, but it is a lot more work than the advertising leads you to believe and that tiny bottle of spray won't last long. You can buy big bottles of spray or water works almost as well.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I would probably let the paint on your truck set for a month or two to cure. Then you might wash it and clay it then wax it. I would worry that the stickyness might cause fresh paint to catch and peel or wrinkle, I have no idea if this actually would happen.
I have used the stuff on my 3 vehicles and the results are amazing. The paint is so much smoother than even a freshly waxed car. You can really feel the difference just by lightly rubbing your hand over the surface. Next time you wax, gently rub your paint and you will likely still feel a few small grainy spots. With the clay bar you won't find any, if you did the job right.
I really like the stuff, but it is a lot more work than the advertising leads you to believe and that tiny bottle of spray won't last long. You can buy big bottles of spray or water works almost as well.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
