The Clay Bar Thread

[Black99GST]

so... whos used them? and which is the best? im starting to get a little oxidation on the hood and roof of my car, and wanted to give this a try, i here that it can work wonders as far as fine scratches, so maybe it can take care of my oxidation problem, and then i can just keep waxing it after i wash it... let me know your thoughts and opinions, preferred kits, and if anyone has them, before and after pics? thanks to all who reply with something useful.

[vanilla gorilla]

I like to use it before i wax. I can tell a huge difference before and after. It works wonders at removing surface contaminents. As far as oxidation goes.....as far as i know there is no fix.

[Black99GST]

Originally Posted by vanilla gorilla

As far as oxidation goes.....as far as i know there is no fix.

its worth a try because it REALLY isnt bad yet... i just cant stand it anymore, and i can not stand looking at it anymore. and i cant afford to repaint it...
which brand do you use?

[SilvrEclipse]

If you have oxidation you need to use a cleaning compound. This will remove almost all of it. You can try to use a clay bar but I doubt it will remove it. I clay bar my car every year in the spring and then put a nice coat of wax on after it. It makes the car feel super smooth and it looks greats.

[david-b]

Originally Posted by Black99GST

its worth a try because it REALLY isnt bad yet... i just cant stand it anymore, and i can not stand looking at it anymore. and i cant afford to repaint it...
which brand do you use?

You should see mine. Roof, hatch, and now on the quarter panels. x 1,000,000. Looks terrible.

[Black99GST]

i vote we ALL call mitsubishi about their shitty BLACK paint... maybe, if enough people call... oh, who am i kidding... the cars 10 years old...

[SilvrEclipse]

The paint on my car has held up awesome. Well except for the side skirts, they have been repainted but other than that there is no fading.

[vanilla gorilla]

+1 only the sideskirts are faded on mine. The passenger side was repainted a few years ago from an accident. But....I think the whole car was repainted before that. I know the front bumper and side skirts were repainted at one point and time, but i think the whole car was.

[Black99GST]

EDIT: Black paint anyways, whats the difference between the kits they sell? mothers makes one, and so does turtle wax, black magic, and meguiar... whats the difference? what works the best?

[vanilla gorilla]

Clay is clay. Every kit includes clay, spray detailer and usually a microfiber rag. I just buy Meguirs cause I'm a brand whore.

[SilvrEclipse]

[Black99GST]

Originally Posted by SilvrEclipse

If you have oxidation you need to use a cleaning compound. This will remove almost all of it. You can try to use a clay bar but I doubt it will remove it. I clay bar my car every year in the spring and then put a nice coat of wax on after it. It makes the car feel super smooth and it looks greats.

what is this "cleaning Compound" your talking about?

[david-b]

I finally went out and bought a clay bar kit. The paint on my car is terrible these days. The roof is nearly white, along with some other patches coming up worse now. Since I bought another car and the Talon is probably going to be in storage during the winters now, I'm thinking I may get it painted.

But in the meantime, I bought a kit and got some nice results. Paint still looks shitty, but it's nice and glossy. Did the drivers door, hood, front fender and bumper. My buddy noticed it right away at night from just the reflection. It's super smooth compared to the rest of the car. Actually headed out there right now to get some more done. Here's a couple pics. Camera phone couldn't capture the glossy to well except on the hood.





Right side "Before". Left side "After".

[SilvrEclipse]

Looks good man

[vanilla gorilla]

+1. Me and my bro did his mom's black 05 buick lesserne? I think...idk, 4 door buick. Anyways. Had a few scratches in it, we compounded them out, then clayed the whole car and waxed it with Zaino Bro's show car wax.....that thing is beautiful. Wish I had some pics.