Clay Bar

[JackBear]

I used a claybar on the Yota today it took the trucks finish back to the way it was when it came out of the booth. It is safe and it won't leave scratches in the paint just make sure you keep needing it and changing the surface or you will get dirt build up and that will leave scratches. Anyhow the truck looked like it had a professional detailing job done when I was finished.

[2008_CrewMax]

good to know!

[ramoine]

Thanks for the tip , I'll have to try that .

[mitch]

Also worth noting that a coat of wax NEEDS to be applied as soon as possible after you claybar. You're removing every bit of dirt, and wax that's on the paint, stripping it down to how it came out of the booth.

Also if you claybar before you polish and wax is makes the paint look extremely deep.

[ramoine]

TY , Mitch . I'll be sure to put a good coat on after .

[SoCalJD]

Clay bar's are a *must*, even on a brand new car/truck. I use a little Dawn dishwashing detergent to remove any old wax (1st time only. Never again), then clay bar the vehicle, then use Zaino Bros polish. HUGE Zainos fan. (No, I don't have any affiliation with them...but they sure should pay me some commisions for pimping their stuff though). I keep enough coats on my M5 that it's pretty much bulletproof. Need to throw some (more) on the Tundra soon...just haven't had the time.

[TundraTough]

I parked next to one of those mobile detailing guys the other day in the parking lot while he was detailing a Jaguar. We chatted for a while and then I brought up the stain from that damn mirror dripping. Without asking him to do anything he got his clay bar and took the stain out in less than 30 seconds. He did the same on the other side.

We chatted for a little bit more and it turns out that he's the guy who did all the detailing for the Fast and the Furious cars on the set. I didn't believe him at first because one of my employees is a special fx guy that worked on those movies so I mentioned his name and this guy knew almost more about him than I did.

That was enough to get him to do my truck when I don't have time. $35 for a wash and vacuum and $150 for an entire detail job inside and out.

[SybErkRimInAL]

Originally Posted by TundraTough

I parked next to one of those mobile detailing guys the other day in the parking lot while he was detailing a Jaguar. We chatted for a while and then I brought up the stain from that damn mirror dripping. Without asking him to do anything he got his clay bar and took the stain out in less than 30 seconds. He did the same on the other side.

We chatted for a little bit more and it turns out that he's the guy who did all the detailing for the Fast and the Furious cars on the set. I didn't believe him at first because one of my employees is a special fx guy that worked on those movies so I mentioned his name and this guy knew almost more about him than I did.

That was enough to get him to do my truck when I don't have time. $35 for a wash and vacuum and $150 for an entire detail job inside and out.

$150.00!!! That's a freakin deal man. Especially since you know you're gonna get a quality job done.

[SoCalJD]

Originally Posted by TundraTough

I parked next to one of those mobile detailing guys the other day in the parking lot while he was detailing a Jaguar. We chatted for a while and then I brought up the stain from that damn mirror dripping. Without asking him to do anything he got his clay bar and took the stain out in less than 30 seconds. He did the same on the other side.

We chatted for a little bit more and it turns out that he's the guy who did all the detailing for the Fast and the Furious cars on the set. I didn't believe him at first because one of my employees is a special fx guy that worked on those movies so I mentioned his name and this guy knew almost more about him than I did.

That was enough to get him to do my truck when I don't have time. $35 for a wash and vacuum and $150 for an entire detail job inside and out.

<<<

Very good deal. I'd pay that rather than do it myself. The clay bar won't take out *everything* though. I know I'm starting to sound like a Zainos employee or something, but it's just that I'm *really* into detailing (but not the Tundra...way too much work), and I'm *really* into their products. Now, there's some of their products that I actually *don't* recommend, but one that everyone who owns a car/truck should have is called Zpc. They sell it as a swirl remover, but that stuff takes marks off the truck like freaking voodoo. I've seen it take marks off that withstood cleaners, buffers and clay bars. Whenever we have an M5 meet, I bring a bottle of it, then go around and freak people out. One guy had black marks on his mirror...looked like someone probably sideswiped him with their mirror. Took it right off.

[mitch]

clay bars will bring out swirls and imperfections. They're not ment to do cover up scratches or anything else.

They're meant to clean the paint, and remove every bit of dirt. Also worth noting they do an extremely little bit of sanding on the clear coat, so they're not ment to be used every time you wash or wax.

[SoCalJD]

Originally Posted by mitch

clay bars will bring out swirls and imperfections. They're not ment to do cover up scratches or anything else.

They're meant to clean the paint, and remove every bit of dirt. Also worth noting they do an extremely little bit of sanding on the clear coat, so they're not ment to be used every time you wash or wax.

c>>>

True. They'll take off the wax too. However, they *won't* take off Zainos (or, I'm guessing, other synthetics like Klasse). I have so many coats of Zainos on my car that most bugs/etc come right off with a wet cotton towel, but occasionally I'll use the clay bar if it's something more significant. But you really only *need* to use it once, during the initial prep work.

[ramoine]

Originally Posted by mitch

clay bars will bring out swirls and imperfections. They're not ment to do cover up scratches or anything else.

They're meant to clean the paint, and remove every bit of dirt. Also worth noting they do an extremely little bit of sanding on the clear coat, so they're not ment to be used every time you wash or wax.

You are a wealth of info , and I'm glad to read your posts ! Do you detail for a living ? Because you seem to have great tips and info .

[mitch]

Originally Posted by ramoine

You are a wealth of info , and I'm glad to read your posts ! Do you detail for a living ? Because you seem to have great tips and info .

Thanks, but no, I do computer stuff for a living. I just like my toys to shine

[ramoine]

Well , I really appreciate the help , thanks !

[FirstToy]

I have used the clay bar, and I did like the results. I have heard of many people using different waxes after using the clay bar or just waxing in general. What is the best wax to use? I hate buying tons of different brands and wasting that money and time. I would like to go straight to the best (within some what of a reasonable dollar amount). So what is the best wax to use? I am looking for a honest answer and not just brand advertisements