Clay Bar

[Love2Mini]

Has anyone used a clay bar on their car? My friend just used it on his 3 series and said it feels smooth. I have the vinyl stickers and was wondering if you can go over them.

[George]

The clay bar probably won't hurt your stickers, but I would just try to avoid them anyways. Just remember, after you use a clay bar you'll need to polish and wax.  I normally only use the clay bar on the horizontal surfaces where most of the contaminants get stuck. You can feel the paint surface to determine if it needs a clay bar treatment.

Here's a tip too.  Use the clay bar during the washing process with lots of soapy water. That will save you from using the more expensive detail spray.  The clay bar just needs some type of lubricant to help it slide over the paint surface.  The soapy water works just fine for that. Wash an area with your wash mitt, rinse, then use more soapy water for the clay bar. 

You can watch a bunch of instructional videos online at Adam's Polishes. Here's one on claying:
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_13.aspx

[Love2Mini]

Thanks. The site was useful and the tip with the soap sounds good. Let you know how it goes at the end of the weekend. Planning on doing it this Sunday.

[mOstyn]

Remember, if the clay bar touches the ground, throw it away.

[Drapeau Noir]

Remember, if the clay bar touches the ground, throw it away.

Remember, if Moisten gives you advice, throw it away.

[George]

LOL, yeah, what ever you do, DON'T drop the clay bar on the ground.  Clay bar on the ground = sand paper.

[Love2Mini]

If I drop the clay bar, its over. i just cant slice off the top layer or something.

I finished using the clay bar yesterday and my car looks super perfect. Actually it feels super perfect. I was hesitant on using it on the windows but some videos on YouTube said I should. I got to say the windows look great.

Thanks for all the advice guys.
 
 

[George]

Oh yeah, the clay bar is great on glass.  All the stuff that sticks to your paint, also sticks to your glass. Clay will remove it just fine.

Don't drop it!  If you buy an Adam's clay bar, they are pretty good size. You can cut the bar into two or three smaller pieces. That way if you happen to drop it, you're only throwing way a third of the bar.  If you try to cut the bad part off after you drop it, there's a chance you'll miss some very small particles of grit. It only takes one grain of sand and you'll be scratching your paint.