clay

[huvo]

just a quick question guys. what is the best clay bar to use on azul blue metalic paint?

 

[jase20vt]

iv not used on a blue car but very good reviews on bilt hamber, i like it
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bilt-Hamber-A...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2556adfe17

 

[Jim@WD]

Huvo, there are no 'colour specific' clay bars out there. Each does the same job (removes bonded contamination)

Personally, I use 'Sonus Green' which is a mild clay. You should be able to find it on the web via google.. Using this with Meguiars LastTouch as lube.

You might be better off, as a starter, picking up one of the packs that are readily available. Megs do one, as do AutoGlym. Both come with the claybar, a detailer spray (thats used to lubricate the paint before claying..) and a small bottle of cleanser to clean up the paint afterwards.

 

[markoos]

Used the megs kit for a while now,does the job.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_253057_langId_-1_categoryId_165527

 

[Ibiza 09]

what is the reason for using this on the car!?

 

[vroomtshh]

I like the Bilt Hamber clay as well, as it doens't need a dedicated lube.

The reason to use it is to remove surface contaminants (metal fillings, tiny pieces of grit etc) that aren't removed any other way, which help to stop marring and swirls when your washing the car.

 

[Ibiza 09]

ah right might invest in one then

 

[Slimy]

The reason to use it is to remove surface contaminants (metal fillings, tiny pieces of grit etc) that aren't removed any other way, which help to stop marring and swirls when your washing the car.

My other halfs Almera had really awful paintwork, it was the cheap red basecoat but it looked like the previous owner had lived near a tar pit. What some cars have just behind the wheels, this car had it all over!! I was going to resort to tar remover, but had heard bad reports about it being very harsh. And I wasn't overly convinced it was tar, it did seem embedded in the paint rather than just stuck to it. For example, using a thumbnail made no difference.

So I thought I'd buy a lump of clay and see if it could pull the tar out of the paintwork. And while it does take a VERY long time, it has done the job. The paintwork is smooth to the touch now, and will actually show up when it's been polished. OK, it's still the cheap nasty red paint that is used for bottom of the range cars, but at least it looks clean now!!

 

[vroomtshh]

My other halfs Almera had really awful paintwork, it was the cheap red basecoat but it looked like the previous owner had lived near a tar pit. What some cars have just behind the wheels, this car had it all over!! I was going to resort to tar remover, but had heard bad reports about it being very harsh. And I wasn't overly convinced it was tar, it did seem embedded in the paint rather than just stuck to it. For example, using a thumbnail made no difference.

So I thought I'd buy a lump of clay and see if it could pull the tar out of the paintwork. And while it does take a VERY long time, it has done the job. The paintwork is smooth to the touch now, and will actually show up when it's been polished. OK, it's still the cheap nasty red paint that is used for bottom of the range cars, but at least it looks clean now!!

Personally, I use Autosmart Tardis for tar removal, and then clay afterwards but clay will remove it.

What you really need is a nice machine polish after claying, which willl bring the red back to life

 

[Slimy]

Personally, I use Autosmart Tardis for tar removal, and then clay afterwards but clay will remove it.

What you really need is a nice machine polish after claying, which willl bring the red back to life

I will get a machine polisher eventually, but I did give it a couple of coats of hand-applied Autoglym Resin Polish which seemed to do a good job to wake it up. Nowhere near the standard of some posts on here, but better than it was!

 

[n_d_fox]

ah right might invest in one then

Have a look at the "dirt" on the clay in Jim's pics.

That is being lifted off the paint after the car has been thoroughly cleaned.

Contaminents in the air etc wont be fully removed from washing alone as they bond to the paint surface. You need a clay to remove them.

I use the clay Jim has mentioned and also DoDo's SN clay which is a bit more aggressive. This just means that it has a bit more bite.

Only word of warning for using clay is to make sure you have plenty of lubrication on the paint surface and if you drop the clay, throw it away. If you dont have enough lube you will cause marring and if you drop it and use it again your risking inflicting scratches because of the grit the clay will pick up off the floor.

 

[Ibiza 09]

ok thanks for the warning, how much do they cost cant be that much can they