Using Clay on your paint

[osidak]

I bought a clay kit (Mothers Gold) to use on my paint as I keep hearing that it does wonders for your paint job.

Friend came over and put some major doubts into my head by telling me that if you don't know what you are doing it will destroy your paint.

So has anyone on the board used this stuff? How hard is it to do correctly? Is it even worth doing?

Thanks

[RichMason]

I haven't used it but I find it hard to believe that Griot's would push it so hard if it were dangerous. I say pick an inconspicous place (is there such a place on a 911?) and don't use a buffer. Start easy and build up your confidence - better to do it twice than take too much paint off. I'll bet that Griot's has some tips on their web site for using the stuff. Good luck.

[Garyo4]

I've used it, just follow the directions and you'll have no problem. It took me all one day to "clay" my SC and put wax on it. End result was no different than before I started, but my paint and finish weren't bad anyway. I think if your car spends most of it's life outside, you will probably see a great deal of improvement in the looks after you clay and wax it.
Regards,
Gary

[jyl]

See http://www.carcareonline.com/howto.aspx for the article on clays - sounds cautionary. Also see forum http://www.autopia.org/index.php where they live and breathe detailing.

[Halm]

What I have heard is that it picks up a lot of crud from the paint quickly so you have to keep using a "clean" part of the clay. Also, I heard something about using lots of water or something else to lub it while working it.

Have you tried 3M Hand Glaze yet? The guys at Car Care Specialties really like the stuff.

[gadams]

Using a clay bar is simple and will improve your shine. Start with a clean car, use a car wash soap as a lubricant for the clay bar, re-wash the car after you clay it and then apply your wax/polish, I use Zaino.

[RallyJon]

The most important thing is to keep it very wet or it will stick to your paint, your hands and anything else. I use the Griot's products and the Speed Shine makes a perfect lubricant.

The other thing is to not be afraid to throw it away when it gets dirty. It picks up the particles nicely, but after a short time you run out of clean clay as it fills up with grit and it's time to pull off a new piece.

My wife likes the 3M Hand Glaze on her Audi. It's a nice, very gentle polish--gives it a great shine.

[reesestewww]

you want to rub Clay on your car???

[JeremyD]

I used it on my targa - it really smoothed things out - but a higher mileage car. This one doesn't really need it. I thought it worked great.

[chuckr]

I have tried the Mothers Clay Bar and it will do the job if used correctly with alot of effort.I found that 3M 1500 grit Rubbing Compound works better with less effort.As a retired Porsche detailer I wanted the best results for the least amount of effort.My professional opinion is that the 3M 1500 grit, used carefully, does the best job on removing scratches and cleaning up the finnish on older Porsches.

[Harlan Chinn]

The clay bars available at Griot's is best used with a lubricant like Johnson's Jubilee furniture polish. Begin by washing and drying your car thoroughly. With the Jubilee product and the clay bar roll the clay over each portion of each body panel, about a square foot section at a time. As each section is clay barred, wipe these areas clean with a soft clean towel until the entire car is done. Each section should feel perfectly smooth as the clay should remove all embedded particles in your paint and leaves the paint finish as smooth as it left the factory or paint shop. If the panel is not smooth, repeat the process until it is. When satisfied with the cleanliness of your paint, follow-up with your favorite wax. This process is at least a 4 to 5 hour project but very much worth doing once a year and especially if the car is stored outdoors. Depending on the amount of junk removed from your paint, the same clay bar can be used twice before there is enough stuff embedded in the clay that you want to use a new one.

[vesnyder]

Just used Meguiars Clay for the first time on my daily driver Toyota, that sits outside most of the year, and it did a great job of cleaning the paint. It says that it will do about 6-7 cars. It cam with its own lubricant that worked good. It really smoothed out the finish better than the swirl removers or glaze. Created a great base for the swirl removers.

Also used it on the windshield of the 911 and it worked great. Try this test - use a plastic bag, like a Glad sandwhich bag and rub your windshield with it. You can really feel the surface grit. Clean it with the clay and try it again - what a difference!

[BGCarrera32]

you want to rub Clay on your car???

LOL...

[RallyJon]

roll the clay

You don't mean roll, do you? Wouldn't that be like "blotting" with rubbing compound?

[JeremyD]

I highly recommend the lubricant.

[k9handler]

I am going to attempt this as well...my ol girl needs some shine!

[cottonyzf]

I used the Griot's clay and speedshine on and Explorer I used to have to remove overspray.....it worked great!

[Harlan Chinn]

You roll the clay in a ball and you roll it over the car. The rolling action is what picks up the particles more efficient than blotting.

[n8marx]

Use the lubricant and slide the clay over the paint. Friction between the clay and the raised impurities is what removes them. I can't see how rolling would have any effect.

FWIW...I have used the clay on all my cars. I use the clay basically as a cleaner wax. I strip the wax off the car then clay the vehicle. This removes the surface impurities and makes the surface ready for a nice wax. Keep up with the waxing and there's no reason you should have to clay a car more than once a year.

[Harlan Chinn]

Think of rolling the clay like the soft rubber compound tires of your car on a gravel road. Sliding doesn't do it.