Which Clay Bar
 

Hi All,
I like to keep the car clean, but Iv never tried clay baring it & I'd like to give it a go as people seem to rave about it. Iv looked on line & there are so many options, but I haven't a clue what to buy. What is the best bar to buy & should I just buy a bar or do I need a kit with lube & polish?
Thanks, Richard.

Subscribed ... :)

Sonus Green is a good beginners clay as you can't do much damage with it and it still removes a good amount of debris.

Once you're comfortable with the process I like to use Bilt Hamber - Auto Clay Soft :)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detail...prod_1162.html

The Meguiars clay bar kit is great for beginner's :thumb: you get everything you need.

I clay barred a car for the first time this week. I used the Maguires kit, £12ish.

Really easy to do and awesome results!

http://www.carkandy.co.uk/how-to-1-w.asp

my write up I did for carKandy.. great clay bar btw :)

I think I might have a go with the beginners stuff

I use the 3m clay, it's a blue bar, use a mixture of cheap wash and wax and water as a lube. http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php all clays can damage if you apply too much pressure and cause micro marring.

As above keep the area you are claying very lubed. A cheap car shampoo and water in a spray bottle does the job.

I use the meguires kit, as it a good starter kit.

Rub very gently in small circles like t cut? I might just t cut mine with a buffer

I use the Bilt Hamber soft autoclay.

Fantastic results, and needs only tap water as a lubricant.

Rub clay in straight lines. It pulls surface contaminants out the paint. The rough gritty feeling the paint has even after washing. If you use a machine polisher without using clay first the polisher will drag these contaminants out the paintwork and spin them at 4000rpm all over your paintwork

I was thinking of getting the Meguiers starter kit to begin with but I guess the others mentioned do the same job. Some bars seem to come in different grades, I guess I want a mild one. Circular motion or straight lines? Seems to be differing opinions there. My plan was to wash the car, then clay it then wash it again then dry & polish. What should I polish it with or will any polish be fine?

I do straight lines myself, perhaps 6 inches. It takes a while to do, but you'll be amazed at what you find on the clay. It'll be like a browny sort of discolouration, that's all the sap and grime etc coming off - that's what you want.

After every panel, or a few times per panel, kneed the clay back into a ball and flatten in out and keep using it. Drop it on the floor and it must be thrown out, so be careful.

Meg's is good btw, harmless and soft enough to be friendly, and will get good results.

Yes, wash, dry, clay with lube, wash and then re wax with anything decent really.

Clay bar removes pretty much everything, including waxes, polishes / sealants etc, so your paint will need a good wax afterwards.

It's a long old process, but well worth it. Clay twice a year for me - it's not something you need to do all the time.

Enjoy your results, maybe some before / after pics would be good?!

no, like this...


I can clay my car in 15mins.. easily :)

its that quick..

I used the autoglym kit for the first time a couple of months ago. Its a job I'd been putting off for ages as I really don't enjoy cleaning cars. However, I'm really pleased I done it and was amazed at what it picked up from what looked to be clean paint. Its a long old process from the first wash to the last wax for me anyway lol but the car really looked good and I was well chuffed.

Looks easier than I thought. Should you clay the glass aswell?

Yes

You can clay the glass if you like, it'll do no harm. I've had to before.
Another point is to ensure the clay is warm and soft. Mashing it up or leaving it in the airing cupboard Usually does the trick.

Paul

:thumb:Cheers guys I shall be watching those vids a couple times, only 15 min to do whole car!

Felt like it took me 15 hours lol!

If you are a proper Noob, Sonus Green is far less aggressive than the Megs :)

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/sonus-...iling-clay.php

I have always used the blue 3M clay bars, they were on ebay and very cheap done the job. As for the
Lubrication I have always used AB berryblast.

If you drop the clay bin it!

Cut the clay into smallish peices as if you drop it it must be binned.
Dont bother drying the car after washing and rinsing it, as you only soak the panels anyway to clay it, then wash it again after.

And as has been said if you want to machine polish or even by hand you want to clay it first or else you drag all the ****e about with polishing.

Oh if its cold, keep a pot of hot water close to dip the clay in ti keep it soft