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      07-21-2008, 10:03 PM   #1
Z FORE
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Unhappy Clay Bar

I spent Saturday detailing my new 06 roadster. It came out looking great, but I put a plastic bag over my fingers and rubbed them over the car. I can still feel a LOT of contaminates in the paint. I already used a Zaino clay bar once. Is there a better clay bar out there for this process? When I used the Zaino, I could actually see the contaminates in the clay bar, so I know it was working, but there is a bunch more. Do I need a more agressive clay bar? Any suggestions? Thanks!
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      07-21-2008, 11:12 PM   #2
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I have used Pinacle Ultra Poly Clay (purchased from Auto Geek) on several occasions on my 2006 si with good results. Paint feels smooth as silk when done. This is a pretty mild clay which can be used frequently (monthly). More aggressive clay has more abrasive and should be used less often. Personally, I would be concerned about using a more aggressive clay as you can marr the paint. I am still new at this, so maybe someone else with more experience can chime in.
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      07-21-2008, 11:53 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z FORE View Post
I spent Saturday detailing my new 06 roadster. It came out looking great, but I put a plastic bag over my fingers and rubbed them over the car. I can still feel a LOT of contaminates in the paint. I already used a Zaino clay bar once. Is there a better clay bar out there for this process? When I used the Zaino, I could actually see the contaminates in the clay bar, so I know it was working, but there is a bunch more. Do I need a more agressive clay bar? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Both the Zaino and Griot's clay are very mild abrasives. Meguiar's make two grades of clay: mild and aggressive. The mild is slightly more abrasive than Zaino and the aggressive is just that; very abrasive.
It's better to clay the paint two or three times with a mild clay and avoid clay induced swirls rather than start with an aggressive clay and end up with lots of swirls.
I just finished using Griot's clay and finished with Rejex sealant. Got a mirror smooth finish.
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      07-22-2008, 08:49 AM   #4
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I have been using mostly Zaino products for the last 3 years. How do you like the Rejex? That is what my brother uses on his vette and he seems to like it.
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      07-22-2008, 01:55 PM   #5
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I have been using mostly Zaino products for the last 3 years. How do you like the Rejex? That is what my brother uses on his vette and he seems to like it.
My first time using Rejex sealant and I'm impressed. Assuming your paint is squeaky clean the Rejex goes on very evenly by hand with a microfiber pad and after five or ten minutes dry time it wipes off fairly easily using microfiber. After letting it cure overnight the finish is rock hard and very shiny. I can't comment on its durability yet.
It's great for light colored paints including Imola Red. For dark paint I prefer to use a wax like P21S as it gives a softer, more warm look rather than the plastic look of a sealant.
I had been using the new Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 which is also a polymer sealant not a wax. It's also a good sealant product and doesn't streak like the first generation NXT Tech Wax.
I use the Zaino Z-2 on the 3M Scotchgard clear mask surfaces as it doesn't leave a white residue on the edges.
We've got our BMW Club Concours coming up this Sunday so the Rejex is under scrutiny.

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      10-06-2011, 10:36 PM   #6
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Sorry to revive an old thread. I figure I'd revive this instead of start a new one.

How often do you guys use a clay bar before tossing it out? I just looked at my car closely under the sun and I have light scratches now. I didn't have any when I first bought it used from the dealer. I'm thinking it is because I over used the clay bar.
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      10-06-2011, 11:26 PM   #7
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Sorry to revive an old thread. I figure I'd revive this instead of start a new one.

How often do you guys use a clay bar before tossing it out? I just looked at my car closely under the sun and I have light scratches now. I didn't have any when I first bought it used from the dealer. I'm thinking it is because I over used the clay bar.
Whenever you use clay bar (even brand new). You will haze and swirl the paint.

You're taking containment and grinding it over the paint. You're removing it, yes...but at the same time you're grinding it over the paint as you remove more.

You always need to polish after clay bar.
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      10-07-2011, 11:48 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
Whenever you use clay bar (even brand new). You will haze and swirl the paint.

You're taking containment and grinding it over the paint. You're removing it, yes...but at the same time you're grinding it over the paint as you remove more.

You always need to polish after clay bar.
Got it! Thanks! I didn't know that the polishing part was a must. I'll have to get a polisher and nail that skill down too. I think now that I've got a nice car. I've got the detailing bug. I've detailed my honda, the old jeep cherokee and the Acadia. I've done more waxing and cleaning since I got my Z4 than I have my entire life combined.
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      10-07-2011, 12:06 PM   #9
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Looks like the coupe cartel showed up.
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      10-07-2011, 01:07 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries326 View Post
How often do you guys use a clay bar before tossing it out? I just looked at my car closely under the sun and I have light scratches now. I didn't have any when I first bought it used from the dealer. I'm thinking it is because I over used the clay bar.
Are you using a "lubricant" when you clay your car? Griot's says to spray their Speed Shine on the area just before you clay it. It acts as a lubricant so that you don't get them swirls and scratches. However, it's still a good idea to polish it after claying and before you seal and wax.
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      10-07-2011, 09:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loogey Clapp View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries326 View Post
How often do you guys use a clay bar before tossing it out? I just looked at my car closely under the sun and I have light scratches now. I didn't have any when I first bought it used from the dealer. I'm thinking it is because I over used the clay bar.
Are you using a "lubricant" when you clay your car? Griot's says to spray their Speed Shine on the area just before you clay it. It acts as a lubricant so that you don't get them swirls and scratches. However, it's still a good idea to polish it after claying and before you seal and wax.
I used the Meguiars clay bar kit that included the quick detailing spray as the lubricant. How often in a year should you claybar and polish? I imagine it really is dependent on how often you use your car and the environment it is exposed to. But there's got to be a downside to claybarring and polishing too much.
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      10-19-2011, 09:05 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries326 View Post
I used the Meguiars clay bar kit that included the quick detailing spray as the lubricant. How often in a year should you claybar and polish? I imagine it really is dependent on how often you use your car and the environment it is exposed to. But there's got to be a downside to claybarring and polishing too much.
If you take care of your car and keep a layer of wax on it... you should only have to polish and clay once per year.
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      10-20-2011, 02:30 PM   #13
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      10-20-2011, 09:12 PM   #14
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I know this thread is revived, but mothers clay is an aggressive clay and the milder it gets, well means milder with less ability to remove contaminants at the leisure of having less paint correcting to do after.

Plain and simply, you didn't clay enough or in that short time frame you picked up more contaminants...living near railroads, and industrial areas play a large role, as well as the brake pads your using
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      11-02-2011, 10:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loogey Clapp View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries326 View Post
How often do you guys use a clay bar before tossing it out? I just looked at my car closely under the sun and I have light scratches now. I didn't have any when I first bought it used from the dealer. I'm thinking it is because I over used the clay bar.
Are you using a "lubricant" when you clay your car? Griot's says to spray their Speed Shine on the area just before you clay it. It acts as a lubricant so that you don't get them swirls and scratches. However, it's still a good idea to polish it after claying and before you seal and wax.
Use the lubricant and keep the clay and surface wet. Do not rub. You will know the right level of lubricant and pressure because the clay will easily slide on the surface. If it doesn't you are too dry or applying too much pressure and you will scratch your paint.
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      11-03-2011, 01:27 AM   #16
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The above directions is different from what I've read on other blogs. I've read that the best thing to do is to split up the clay bar into pieces to cover the hood, roof, different panels and to only use it once. Any comments?

Still trying to decide if I should buy a buffer myself and buff out the light scratches or just pay a professional to do it this coming spring.
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