Two clay bars came with my Zano kit, but I haven't used them yet. It looks like they would be really effective.

 

Thanks for the link, I've heard about it a litle before but didnt know it was that simple, think I'll try it.

 

Yeah, the clay is pretty amazing stuff. When Scary came back from the paint shop, there was some black marks on the right quarter panel that I couldn't get off by just washing the car. I got a Mother's Clay Bar kit, and put it to use on that quarter. It took the black off and really made the paint even smoother than the rest of the car, and this was just a month or 2 after it had been painted, wet sanded and buffed.

 

I did not know about this. Thanks for the link. I wonder if Holly is available for an in-home demo? ...

Todd

 

Thanks for the link. I have been wanting to do my 95 GT but was not really sure how to do it. Now it does not seem that hard.

 

I do both my coupe and my F-250. Haven't had to do the fastback yet. I clay bar the coupe every couple of years and the truck at least once a year, often more. Although you can use a diluted solution of dishwashing soap and water, I prefer to use the Mother's detailing spray. It just seems to work the best for me.

I'm working on detailing my coupe for the Las Vegas National right now and checked to see if it needed the claybar treatment--nope, not yet.

When you're using the clay, keep kneading it to get a clean surface. And, if you drop it on the ground, get rid of it. Because it is easy to drop when doing the sides of the car, I always put clean towels on the ground along the car. That way, if I do drop the claybar, it remains clean and doesn't pick up tiny dirt and stone particles that will destroy paint.

 

I do all my cars every 18 months or so. Even though they are garage kepts and washed regularly, it is amazing how much junk gets into the paint. Takes no time at all to do.

 

The clay bars are great stuff. We use Meguiars. Try to do all the cars once a year.

Who'd a thunk it, rubbing a hunck of clay on your paint would be a good thing. Then again somebody had to be the first person to try drinking cow's milk, and they had to be a good salesman to get the second person to try it. Especially after they asked where it came from.

 

Trying milk is a natural. It's about the first thing we want to do, the minute we're born...

 

I think it's a good idea to clay the car every time polish or wax is applied. It certainly is amazing what the clay picks up, even on a "clean" car. I've been claying my cars since I got my first Mustang at 16. It sure is easier to find nowadays, I had to have a detail shop buy it for me from a supplier in the past.

 

Caution has to be exercised when using clay. The car has to be be exceptionally clean. I f***ed a fender up on my BOSS 302 really bad when I tried the clay trick a few years ago. A small amount of dust can create scratches that will be difficult to buff out!

 

Anyone know of a good place to get JUST the clay? The local autoparts places around here only have kits. I have Mothers Spray Detailer already. I just want to buy the clay bars.

 

I buy most of my detailing supplies from these guys:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-3200-2.html

No affiliation, other than long-time satisfied customer.

 

How do you handle stripes (not painted) that have been applied to the car? Does the clay hurt them?

 

I know you can buy the clay separately through Zaino at www.zainostore.com. It should also be noted that the clay comes in different consistencies...remember not to use too harsh of a bar.

Clay can easily damage decals, including stripe kits. Be careful and work around them, for the clay will easily rough the edges of your stripes.

 

I buy most of my stuff from either Autopia or Autogeek. Both of them sell the clay alone, but by the time you had it shipped it would be about the price of a Mothers or Meguiars clay kit you can buy over the counter. Probably the most inexpensive clay kit I have seen is Clay Magic. Around here Autzone sells it for about $10, and that's including the lubricant.

I used the Sonus ultra fine clay from Autopia. It's probably one of the mildest clays out there, so if your car is in pretty good shape already (like your Californina Special), I would reccomend it. Right now they are having a special where you get two big bars of Ultra Fine and a bar of block clay (which is a little more aggressive)for under $20. That's a really good deal when you consider how much clay you get.

In all honesty, I don't really like the spray as a lubricant. After I wash it, I just use some clean car shampoo and a wash mit in one hand and the clay in the other. It goes quite a bit faster. Meguiars NXT car shampoo has a lot of lubricity and works great. Just make sure you keep the surface really wet.

 

you could also try Griots . I've never purchased from them before, but one day I just started getting the catalog. They seem REALLY serious about car care, so I have to imagine their products are pretty good. Good luck,

 

Good golly Ms Holly......I never heard of this (yes, even I might not know everything). Sounds very interesting. Might give it a test try on my exploder.

 

I use the zaino's system on my PT cruiser.I never used the claybar until this spring and I wish i had.Even my wife noticed..hehehe.Zaino sells everything seperately but I recomend unisg the system,great stuff.It even cleaned up my 66 coupe a bit

 

Don't feel too bad Craig, I had no idea until I mysteriously started getting the Griots catalog. Nobody is perfect, but some of us think we are (yes Midlife, I'm looking at you )

 

Quick clay bar tips (for clay n00b's like me):

Wash the car with Dawn, and liberally. Twice. Then rinse well.

Then take the wash water/soap and rub on a lot onto a section of the car. Take the clay bar and rub it back and forth on the paint until the gritty feeling goes away. Don't press hard at all. Just go back and forth, and let the weight of the bar be all the pressure you have. Rinse the section and go on to the next section.

When you have clayed the car, wash afgain to remove any small pieces of clay remnants and rinse.

Apply at least one, preferrably 2 or more, coats of polish, then use your wax of choice. The paint will be as smooh as (fill in smooth preference here).

What takes so long in this process is the polishing. If you want a deep shine, you can't pass up this step. This is what puts moisture into the clear coat/paint, and adds depth. The wax/polymer you use seals it all in. I do this to the 2003 Mach, and the paint looks as good as delivery day 3 years ago. It is still as smooth as glass, too. I have yet to clay my 65 coupe, but from the looks of EJD68's clay bar, it is probably a good idea to!

 

I have orderd this from Ebay to try........I'll post results.. a lot of clay for the money.......... while the auction has ended. the seller was also selling high end paint items..........

http://tinyurl.com/jdatw

 

Don't feel too bad Craig, I had no idea until I mysteriously started getting the Griots catalog. Nobody is perfect, but some of us think we are (yes Midlife, I'm looking at you )

Why Derek, I've never thought of you being perfect... :rofl:

 

touché!