New to clay bars

Detailing, Washing, Waxing..
SammyV6S
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Post by SammyV6S »

Hello

I've never used a clay bar before.. the videos online make it seem easy to use but I'm terrified of scratching the paint..

Is it really that safe? Anyone had any bad experiences? Or is it really as easy as wash, lubricate, gently rub the clay bar and wipe dry!?
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Lunar
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Post by Lunar »

I've not had a bad experience - I think if you take normal precautions you'll find it just fine.

I actually use a Halfords clay mitt - just oscillate gently back and forth - not in circles - and with a fairly light pressure.

Good for getting the windscreen clean too.

Once it's done its job it's remarkable how you feel the slipperiness and move on to find the next contaminant - quite therapeutic!
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PhilB
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Post by PhilB »

Lunar wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 8:38 am Once it's done its job it's remarkable how you feel the slipperiness and move on to find the next contaminant - quite therapeutic!
Come on - fess up!
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Lunar
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Post by Lunar »

Ahem :D
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Fez
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Post by Fez »

I use bilt hamber soft clay, it is as easy as the videos show. Just make sure the car is clean before you start. Be gentle let the clay do the work. You should only need to do it once a year so depends a lot on where car is parked.
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cj10jeeper
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Post by cj10jeeper »

I use it regularly and have done for years
Key is to have the car really clean as mentioned above. Remember a piece of grit converts it to sandpaper..
Lubricate it well with spray to stop it dragging. Too dry and it leaves clay that is then hard to remove. Even tap water in an old hand pump Windolene type bottle is enough
Turn and fold the clay to keep clean surface
Of course if you drop it bin it, don’t try to rescue it

As above you may find the cloths easier and more convenient. Try one - I use a 20cm flat cloth

As always clay is part of a proper process of clean, clay, polish, seal & wax )or whatever routine you choose), so I tend to do a panel at a time if I’m short of time.

Enjoy it’s therapeutic
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Tel
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Post by Tel »

Baby shampoo diluted in clean ex-kettle water...it's wonderful with a clay bar.

It's very enjoyable (if you've got no friends ;-)) and I agree therapeutic.
The Halrauds glove is an excellent introduction before you get into the 'hard stuff'
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daytona650
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Post by daytona650 »

Leave the clay bar / clay cloth etc in very warm water for 10 mins before starting on the car and then put it back in and warm it back up every now and then - far easier then too.

I'm using the baby shampoo tip Tel - that will be useful in the spring :)
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scm
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Post by scm »

Tel wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:53 am Baby shampoo diluted in clean ex-kettle water...
Why ex-kettle? Surely any contaminants that haven't evaporated away will just be more concentrated?
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Tel
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Post by Tel »

scm wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:04 am
Tel wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:53 am Baby shampoo diluted in clean ex-kettle water...
Why ex-kettle? Surely any contaminants that haven't evaporated away will just be more concentrated?
There's no contaminants in tap water that will interfere with clay work.

If you live in a hard water area as we do, then minerals are your enemy...just try using tap water to wash your car and leave it in the sun to dry for example...rock hard deposits are left on the paintwork as the water evaporates. Vinegar is the only thing to take them away.

If you boil a kettle, most of the minerals deposit themselves onto the interior and thus, removing most of the magnesium and calcium.

The steam of course is the purest, if you have a condensor that is!
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