So.....after reading numerous threads about the claybar procedure, how it works, etc, I decided to head over to my local Autozone to get some wax and a claybar kit.

The guy helped me pick out a long-lasting wax for my JB car and I met him up front with a Meguiars claybar kit as well. The guy picked up the box and said..."I would never use this on my car, it will do more harm than good."

I was struck back, wondering what this guy was thinking. He said he owned a detail shop for 10 years and would NEVER use it...?????? What is going on here? Does anyone have an explanation? Are there times when claybar is not appropriate?

 

Was he referring to clay bar or Meguiars? Either way, I wouldn't give too much thought to what he said.... BTW, claybar was useless for the issues I had on my car, but didn't damage it in any way.

 

wat do you not get?

He owned a detailing shop for 10 years and now works at autozone...
wonder why that is?

get the claybar.

 

And so now he works at Autozone?!?!?! (oops, kenchan beat me to it!!! )

Make sure you use it one time and knead/fold it often. Once done, throw it away or those contaminants may bite ya next time!!

 

Those are some great points....never thought of that at the time!

I didn't get the claybar obviously- the guy cursed it! What was I going to say? "screw you, i'm getting it?" I did get some other stuff though. Maybe I'll try again sometime.

It wasn't clear whether he was criticizing the clay or the Meguiars....

 

Don't feel too bad, a guy at an O'Reilly seriously tried to convince me that QD was filled with particles of metal!!!!

 

Quairy Deen?

 

Quick Detailer.

 

Whichever one he was criticizing the guy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Their clay kit is what I always use. It's good stuff, affordable, & available locally. Next time you talk to him you can tell him I said so

 

I just used it for the second time yesterday with great results . The meguires kit is kind of a rip tho as the claybar is so damn small. I used the one sold by Griots Garage .

Randy
M7 Tuning

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....1001&SKU=11131

 

randy- that's not clay. that is mud.

 

+1

 

Patiently awaiting a response from Octane guy or Heather.....

 

Last week I used a claybar on my car for the first time. I made sure my car was nice and wet (well lubricated) and was amazed how much stuff got picked up by the claybar. I used a Griot's claybar.

Also, at a club meeting last weekend, I won a door prize. It was a "claybar". This one has me puzzled as it was a bottle of solution and a sponge applicator, as opposed to a chunk of putty stuff. I'm hesitant to try this one out as it may just be a polish that might strip off a layer of wax or even clearcoat off my car.

Kenchan, can you elaborate on your comment about Griot's claybar being mud? Thx.

 

Richard just starting using this, he used it on the BMW or Expedition he just posted the write-up on.

 

Well it will def' pull the wax or sealant off your car. You should always, always wax/seal after claybar work.

 

OK, lets see here. Some guy working behind the counter in a chain auto store tells you not to use claybar. ... so who do you believe.

Hmm

Detailing experts like at autopia.org?

or

Guy behind the autozone counter?

 

For what it's worth, the guy at AutoZone, whatever he was refering to, is incorrect. Detailing clay has VERY minor abrasive qualities, and will remove wax, as well as paint impurities. As long as you keep it free from heavy dirt and debris (sand, etc.), and knead it often, it will last a long time. You only need to clay your paint 2 to 3 times a year. When you think the bar is too dirty to use on your paint, save it to clean your windows. As long as there are no grit particles, it works amazingly well on glass. If you drop it on the ground, toss it away!
Another hint; instead of using their supplied "lubricant", which is nothing more than quick-detailer, try this:
Wash the car, rinse the car, then soap-up a section at a time, using the soapy water as the lube. Rub the clay bar GENTLY from front-to-rear, in straight lines, then rinse again, then chamois dry. When the car is fully dried, put on a good quality glaze, especially with red or dark colors, then wax.
ALWAYS WASH AND WAX IN STRAIGHT LINES, FRONT TO BACK!!!!!!!
NEVER TOUCH YOUR PAINT IN A CIRCULAR MOTION. IT PUTS SWIRL MARKS INTO IT.
Sorry for speaking in capitals, but I get frustrated by the "wax on, wax off" mentality.
Thank you very much.
Shine on,
Hegira

 

All of the advice has been very helpful...thanks.

So if I go back to get it...
When is the earliest time you can use the claybar after you've done a whole load of waxing? Is it easy to just take the wax right off?

I think that he was probably refering to the Meguiars product, rather then the claybar itself, by the sound of it...unless he's a moron.

 

actually the Griots clay will not remove wax per Griot'sGarage.

chamois dry? are you skuzzy?

we use detailing towels such as DP's Platinum MF towels with we do clay.

 

IMO
If you're using a product that scratches your paint you should use a different product. I don't want straight line scratches either. Wax on wax off just use quality products and pads.

 

This sounds more like Turtle Wax "Liquid Clay". Really it is nothing more than a chemical cleaner with a little polishing action. It is not, nor can it replace a real clay bar.

+1. If what you do is causing swirls - straight or otherwise - you're either doing the wrong thing or doing the right thing wrong. Stop it!

 

Shame on you kenchan, you know I would never tell anyone to *dry* their car with a chamois.

I have been applying product for over 35 years, and have always used an overlapping circular motion to do so. If you get swirls from that, you are either applying it with too much pressure, using the wrong applicator, or the surface is not clean, or the product you are using contains abrasives or any combination of the above.

 

Is a microfiber applicator the best for wax?

 

That depends, if you buy some Glasur, you want to apply it by hand