Claybar - How many times can you use it?

[sharp4runr]

Ok so I claybarred the truck over the weekend and the results are awesome. The guys at work really commented on the shine and were blown away by the smoothness of the paint. I too was very happy with the results. The paint felt as smooth as a the day I picked her up from the lot, probably smoother.

Anyways, how many times can I use the actual claybar? Is it a use once and discard or what?

 

[Mafster]

Honestly, for the minimal cost of tossing out and replacing a used one-- it isn't worth the chance there might be some grit in it that when you use it the next time and it might scratch the paint.
Just my 2*.

 

[toybox]

As long as you didn't drop it then it is good for a few times. I just threw away one that I had used 4 times.

If you drop it, throw it away.

 

[alpha]

I cut up my clay bar into pieces, usually thirds or fourths, and use a piece at a time. That piece can be used at least a couple times too, just kindof have to judge it. But once you drop the bar, thats it.. Cutting it into pieces also lets you have room for error if you do drop the piece you're working with..

 

[Mafster]

Ever wonder where that grit goes which it removes from your paint? I know the bar slowly gets smaller as you use it, but doesn't it hold the stuff that it picks up at the same time?

 

[iFORCE]

I chop mine up into three pieces and use each piece once/twice at most. The stuff that you take off the paint/clearcoat... gets worked into the clay bar....

 

[seancgn68]

If it has any visible specs in it at all, I would toss it. I did mine and my wife's truck with a separate bar, and just tossed both bars when I was done. They are pretty cheap, so I agree with what Mafster said above.

Never thought of cutting it up! That is a good idea, although you would probably lose some surface area doing that, so it may slow the job down.

 

[spyne]

Both the Mother's and Griot's bars I've used recommend not using it more than 3 times. Personally I've never used one more than twice before tossing it out. Last time I used the Griot's bar I cut it into pieces (well tore into pieces to be more accurate) and didn't notice that it took any more time with the smaller pieces than it did with the full size bar. I just flattened it out a bit more to increase the surface area to about what I had with the full bar.

 

[sharp4runr]

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions guys. I knew exactly whom to turn to

 

[Solice]

I really want to try a clay bar on my 4Runner but I've always been intimidated by it. Is it hard to do or is it easy to screw up and permantly damage the paint? I'm really curious because I've seen the results of a black 4Runner after that and a good wax job. Too awesome for words.

 

[sharp4runr]

It was SUPER easy to do. Just use lots of lube :

I think the most intimidating part was trying not to drop the clay bar!

 

[Solice]

Nice, I think I'm gonna go for it before we get into winter. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Oh yeah and Sharp:
:worthless

 

[sharp4runr]

LOL, I'll see what I can do about some pics but my office building is near some rail road tracks and I think the truck has got to be a bit dusty already. As soon as you touch the paint though it is super slick.

 

[MsMarine]

That is a GREAT Idea.
I was barely done with the front part of the hood and dropped the dang bar.

I start the detailing with 20 microfiber towles because I drop the darn things so much. But towles are washable so no expense the clay bar well that another story.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[jharris2]

I'll use the clay bar to do the 4Runner and the Camry, then usually toss it.

 

[nated05]

I really want to try a clay bar on my 4Runner but I've always been intimidated by it. Is it hard to do or is it easy to screw up and permantly damage the paint? I'm really curious because I've seen the results of a black 4Runner after that and a good wax job. Too awesome for words.

Ive never even heard of claying a car until I started reading this site. I think I will pick up a kit and do it this weekend now that the weather finally cooled down. So the correct order is wash/clay/wax? Im sure it will make the dark blue shine like the black.

 

[seancgn68]

Almost... wash, claybar, wash again (to remove any residual), then wax.

 

[toybox]

I used my last clay bar for the fourth time because I did my friends 5 year old Tundra white work truck (pretty beat up). I thought there was no sense in using a new one on a truck that is white and in that condition.

Anyway after washing, claying, washing, polishing with Griots and the porter cable buffer and then sealing with Zaino's I brought his truck back to life and it looked awesome. He was totally amazed at how smooth it was and how much whiter it looked.( it was pretty bad, he had a TRD sticker on the side that started to peel so we took it all the way off and there was a big difference between the white under the sticker and the white on the rest of the truck....but not anymore) It rained the next day and he called me and said everytime he comes to a stop it is like a waterfall off the front from all the beaded up water on the hood.

He was really impressed and said he is buying the claybar and stuff to do his Sienna now that he knows the whole routine and how to use the stuff.

 

[seancgn68]

Anyway after washing, claying, washing, polishing with Griots and the porter cable buffer and then sealing with Zaino's I brought his truck back to life and it looked awesome. He was totally amazed at how smooth it was and how much whiter it looked.

Zaino rules!!!

:zoom:

 

[simple]

I'm definitely going to pick up a claybar. My heart sank so hard when I washed my car for the first time this past weekend and I read on here about claybaring and I tried the smoothness test. I have no idea what products are good for cleaning cars, and last week since I've seen commercials for this brand the most...I went with this armor all stuff.

Since it wax included...will I be able to claybar? Or do I have to buy another bottle of just strictly cleaner?