should i use claybar on month old car?

[V8Limited4wd]

i keep the 4runner in the garage all the time... and the car was waxed before i drove her off the lot a month ago.

i will be detailing her as soon as it stops raining by stripping the wax with dishwasher fluid, then using zaino's zfx and z2 polish.

so is it necessary for me to use a claybar before polishing even though its only a month old?

 

[Woodbert]

YES. You will get off all the industrial contaminants from the trip over from Japan that are now sealed under the wax the dealer put on (if they really did).

Rail transport is especially notorious for assaulting new vehicles paint from all the soot, dirt, rust etc the trains create.

I wouldn't use any polish for a few months but the clay bar (a good one) will make your paint so smooooooooth.

Good luck.

 

[tkr128]

It is definately a good idea to use a claybar on a new car. I used it on my sister's Accord when she first brought it home and couldn't believe all the crap that was on the paint.

 

[waskillywabbit]

Clay bar

If you DON'T clay it all you are doing is swirling the paint with all the junk on there when you polish and wax it. Claying is a MUST before polishing or waxing and should be done at least once a year IMO.

:guitar2:

 

[momo.75]

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

 

[Outback Paul]

First of all this is my first new vehicle in 9 years so I'm learning all of this stuff for the first time. I've read all of the old postings but want to sum it up.

So my new 4Runner is 2 weeks old. From what I understand I need to clay bar the Runner at a month old and then Polish, then Wax? Do I do it all at the same time. Sounds like a lot to do all at the same time.

Did I read that the clay bar strips the finish down to the paint?

Help me...

Thanks,
Paul

 

[V8Limited4wd]

nope you're supposed to do all at the same time. i'm waiting to do all this all in one day... probably on a free saturday as long as its not raining.

steps:
1) wash with dishwasher soap to strip off all wax, etc
2) claybar entire car
3) wipe down vehicle
4) apply wax or polish

so now i need to get a claybar... which one do you guys recommend? i saw mothers claybar for $15 and the "original" claybar for $10 at pepboys. does it matter which one i get and are those prices good?

 

[momo.75]

There is no sugar coating it that it is a lot of work, but as I see it, it is a labor of love. You should clay and whether you polish or not, you should wax. The clay helps remove contaminents, the polish helps level out any swirls, and the wax helps seal the paint.

Even though you will be using Zaino's, if you go download this handbook pdf and read through it, you will get a better idea of what you are doing and why. Hope that helps.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/support.jsp

 

[jharris2]

3) wipe down vehicle

So that there is no risk that you're leaving any residue, I generally wash the truck (or car) again after claying it.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

So that there is no risk that you're leaving any residue, I generally wash the truck (or car) again after claying it.

yeah i forgot to say that... wash the truck after using the claybar