clay bar

shocka1212 · 01-21-2007, 04:32 PM

i am going to clay bar my car for the first time ever. i was wondering if there are any precautions i should take in doing this to ensure that i do not ruin my paint.

oneshare325 · 01-21-2007, 04:54 PM

make sure you just don't skimp on the lubricant (Quick detailer, soap, whatever you use) I wouldn't worry too much It is not that hard.

picus · 01-21-2007, 04:55 PM

Cut it up, that way if you drop it you don't lose the whole bar.

Jaws · 01-21-2007, 05:20 PM

If you drop the piece of bar you are using on the ground, it is garbage. Don't continue to use it.

edit: Which picus was alluding to.

Josh49 · 01-21-2007, 07:20 PM

Use lots and lots of lube!!!

ChineseGuy · 01-22-2007, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

If you drop the piece of bar you are using on the ground, it is garbage. Don't continue to use it.

edit: Which picus was alluding to.

can't u just roll it up and use the other side or something?

NFS13 · 01-22-2007, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

can't u just roll it up and use the other side or something?

You can fold a piece that has been worked but don't use one that falls on the ground. Ground contamination is much larger than what is coming off the paint.

dmboone25 · 01-22-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Use lots and lots of lube!!!

+1 This is probably the biggest mistake a person can make when using clay. TONS of lube, whether it is Z-7 car wash or quick detailer--make sure there is a LOT of it on the surface of the paint. This will keep the clay picking up the contaminants on your surface without becoming abrasive.

pander5 · 01-22-2007, 05:51 PM

My method for insuring enough lube is to wash the car first then change out to fresh Z7 and rinse buckets and wash a second time using the soapy water as lube. Works great and washes the car a second time with the clay process and Z7 is a buck cheaper than Z6.

I cut a clay bar into about 6 pieces and never reuse dropped pieces. I trash any dropped clay but have learned to hold onto it over the years.

dmboone25 · 01-23-2007, 05:11 PM

Yeah--the Z-7 seems to be the easiest to me--and it is not like you are wasting anything per se--I like to wash the car off quickly after claying, so I am already good to go!

UncleWede · 01-29-2007, 12:03 PM

Take off your rings/watches/bracelets before starting.

Jaws · 01-29-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Take off your rings/watches/bracelets before starting.

Yup, my titanium watch has done untold damage around my house, but so far my cars have come away unscathed.

jdfj316 · 01-30-2007, 03:30 PM

Watch your belt buckle when you lean over the car.

remmib · 01-30-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

make sure you just don't skimp on the lubricant (Quick detailer, soap, whatever you use) I wouldn't worry too much It is not that hard.

So you can use any car shampoo as lubricant??

I have never used a clay bar, maybe I should try

01-21-2007, 04:32 PM	#1
shocka1212 Philanthropist 28 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	clay bar i am going to clay bar my car for the first time ever. i was wondering if there are any precautions i should take in doing this to ensure that i do not ruin my paint.
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01-21-2007, 04:54 PM	#2
oneshare325 Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,178 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (11) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	make sure you just don't skimp on the lubricant (Quick detailer, soap, whatever you use) I wouldn't worry too much It is not that hard.
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01-21-2007, 04:55 PM	#3
picus Brigadier General 124 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Cut it up, that way if you drop it you don't lose the whole bar.
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01-21-2007, 05:20 PM	#4
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	If you drop the piece of bar you are using on the ground, it is garbage. Don't continue to use it. edit: Which picus was alluding to. __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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01-21-2007, 07:20 PM	#5
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Use lots and lots of lube!!! __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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01-22-2007, 05:51 PM	#9
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 31 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	My method for insuring enough lube is to wash the car first then change out to fresh Z7 and rinse buckets and wash a second time using the soapy water as lube. Works great and washes the car a second time with the clay process and Z7 is a buck cheaper than Z6. I cut a clay bar into about 6 pieces and never reuse dropped pieces. I trash any dropped clay but have learned to hold onto it over the years. __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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01-23-2007, 05:11 PM	#10
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 4972 Rep 10,200 Posts Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	Yeah--the Z-7 seems to be the easiest to me--and it is not like you are wasting anything per se--I like to wash the car off quickly after claying, so I am already good to go! __________________ Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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01-29-2007, 12:03 PM	#11
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 17963 Rep 9,377 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Take off your rings/watches/bracelets before starting.
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01-30-2007, 03:30 PM	#13
jdfj316 New Member 1 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2006 Passat 3.6L Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Watch your belt buckle when you lean over the car.
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