Safe to DIY clay bar?

[Krismas]

I took the easy route...approximately 1:10...

[Fcuktion]

IIRC the 3M ones you can get off the shelves are pretty harsh and cause some bad marring.

Or maybe because the paint is just soft.

 

[Xspace]

You can also go youtube and search... Alot of such videos...

[Josho]

Actually.. other then removing the dirt, will it remove the wax/ seleant?

[Nzy]

Actually.. other then removing the dirt, will it remove the wax/ seleant?

 

It will remove ur wax/sealant also.

[Iceprojeckt]

clay bar should be safe i guess..

because i parked my car in open space car park, so every 2 weeks i clay my white car...

so far so good, i do some detailing also especially between glass rubber and the body, door handles, car boot water line, engine cover water line also.. clear out small leaf / brances that stuck near the wiper..

 

I heard duragloss quite good but i never try before..

[Josho]

It will remove ur wax/sealant also.

 

oic, thanks.

U r a full time detailer? =)

[Nzy]

oic, thanks.

U r a full time detailer? =)

 

Nope. Part-time only.

[VA75]

I am new to claying. Normally, only wash, wax with Autoglym resin polish, then apply a layer of Sonax carnauba wax every quarterly. Lately, removing the Sonax wax after applying was real tough. Spent nearly 45 mins to remove for my MPV. I remember the 1st time I used it was quite an easy job. I can also feel some particles on my car especially the car top after the waxing when I run my hands to feel it.

 

I do not really know why. Was it beacause I applied too much Sonax wax? Removing Autoglym resin polish was not as difficult as the Sonax. Or is it time for me to do claying next time. My main worry for claying is will it scratch my car? Another concern is the additional manpower required for claying, so want to be sure that this is really necessary before I invest my time and money.

 

Appreciate your help and advice.

 

Thanks!

[Eviltrap]

It will remove ur wax/sealant also.

 

So after claying must always follow up with polishing and washing?

 

What do you guys use for lubricant? Can we just use the shampoo+water solution to act as lubricant?

[Nzy]

I am new to claying. Normally, only wash, wax with Autoglym resin polish, then apply a layer of Sonax carnauba wax every quarterly. Lately, removing the Sonax wax after applying was real tough. Spent nearly 45 mins to remove for my MPV. I remember the 1st time I used it was quite an easy job. I can also feel some particles on my car especially the car top after the waxing when I run my hands to feel it.

 

I do not really know why. Was it beacause I applied too much Sonax wax? Removing Autoglym resin polish was not as difficult as the Sonax. Or is it time for me to do claying next time. My main worry for claying is will it scratch my car? Another concern is the additional manpower required for claying, so want to be sure that this is really necessary before I invest my time and money.

 

Appreciate your help and advice.

 

Thanks!

 

For me I clay my car every 3-4 months or about 4 times a year. If you can feel some particles on ur car after washing then should be time to clay. Another way to test it to rub your finger over the paint when there is water on it with some pressure. Paint that has just been clay bared properly should not create any squeaking sounds when u do that as the paint is very clean and smooth already. For me I always use this method to test after I have done claying.

 

Normal claybars should not damage your paint as long as you use it correctly. Use enough lube so that it can slide around without any effort and do not use too much pressure when claying. Just slide the claybar over the paint.

 

If the wax is hard to remove it can be due to a few reasons. Apply too much wax can make it harder to remove. Or waiting too long before buffing off the wax. Sometimes when the weather is hotter and less humid the wax will dry faster and can buff off earlier than on a humid day. One way to test whether the wax is ready to be buffed off is to swipe ur finger over the waxed area. If the wax comes off and you can see the paint at that spot is not hazy then the wax is ready to be buffed off. If the wax just smudges then wait longer.

[Nzy]

So after claying must always follow up with polishing and washing?

 

What do you guys use for lubricant? Can we just use the shampoo+water solution to act as lubricant?

 

Different people have different methods. For me I will just rinse the car once more after claying. Claying is always done just after washing the car. After claying u can don't polish if the paint is still in good condition. Just apply the wax/sealant. However for me after claying I will rinse the car and at least use a paint cleaner before apply the wax/sealant. If u want to do polishing it should be done after claying.

 

I have used shampoo+water to act as a lubricant and it works. For now my claybar just requires water so I use water only. Some people use a QD or a clay lube. I guess as long as the claybar can slide freely over the paint and does not stick it should be fine.

[Eviltrap]

Different people have different methods. For me I will just rinse the car once more after claying. Claying is always done just after washing the car. After claying u can don't polish if the paint is still in good condition. Just apply the wax/sealant. However for me after claying I will rinse the car and at least use a paint cleaner before apply the wax/sealant. If u want to do polishing it should be done after claying.

 

I have used shampoo+water to act as a lubricant and it works. For now my claybar just requires water so I use water only. Some people use a QD or a clay lube. I guess as long as the claybar can slide freely over the paint and does not stick it should be fine.

 

Thanks for the explanation!

 

I'm interested to start doing all these by myself, so are the steps below correct?

 

With regards to DG products,

 

1. Wash with a higher concentrated shampoo solution.

2. Clay bar with the shampoo solution still on the car.

3. Rinse off with water.

4. Dry off with drying towel.

5. Apply 105/501 with applicator and allow to haze for 5 min. (Will hazing longer cause more problem? I will definitely need more than 5 mins to apply for the entire car. Or do we do it 1 panel at a time?)

6. Buff off the haze with a dry MF cloth.

 

Now it's after Step 6 that I'm lost from all those mentioned in the DG application tips thread. What should be done after step 6? I don't think I will use the PBA since I don't know anything about it. I only know the least step will be the application of AW.

[Mlee]

Mai act pro leh. Later ppl ask more nia say this one and that one. Go around pm-ing ppl for your service la. Loser Yawn!!

[Booboon]

Mai act pro leh. Later ppl ask more nia say this one and that one. Go around pm-ing ppl for your service la. Loser Yawn!!

u received pm from who?

[Satz24]

Do you guys get the Meguiars Clay Bar kit that comes with the QUik Detailer spray?

 

I love that combo as it's a gentle clay that works well.

 

Used it on my 08 dark blue Golf GTI, and now again on my 07 Dark grey Lexus RX 350.

 

Really gives the paint a smooth mirror finish which then helps when you later polish/wax.

 

My routine is: wash car and dry. Then use Prepwash (mild solvent) to remove wax and grease, then clay (once a year), then apply NXT polish and then buff off.

 

You must keep the surface wet all the time when claying, and just do small sections (1 sq foot) at a time. When you feel the clay grabbing/sticking that means you don't have enough spray...

 

 

Of all the products I've used, clay is the most impressive.

[N00b]

Do you guys get the Meguiars Clay Bar kit that comes with the QUik Detailer spray?

 

I love that combo as it's a gentle clay that works well.

 

Used it on my 08 dark blue Golf GTI, and now again on my 07 Dark grey Lexus RX 350.

 

Really gives the paint a smooth mirror finish which then helps when you later polish/wax.

 

My routine is: wash car and dry. Then use Prepwash (mild solvent) to remove wax and grease, then clay (once a year), then apply NXT polish and then buff off.

 

You must keep the surface wet all the time when claying, and just do small sections (1 sq foot) at a time. When you feel the clay grabbing/sticking that means you don't have enough spray...

 

 

Of all the products I've used, clay is the most impressive.

bro i like to ask if the clay can be used with our normal soap wash as the lub instead?

[Eeee78]

bro i like to ask if the clay can be used with our normal soap wash as the lub instead?

I use shampoo mixture as lube for claying.