Used Clay Bar Today

[adoihcj]

First time ever using a clay bar. Worked amazingly well. I recommend it for anyone who lives in an environment like mine. The winter really took it's toll on the paint and the clay bar removed all the grime - paint is smooth like it was when I bought it four months ago.

Also had some water spots from washing it in the sun on Thursday. Googled "water spots on paint" and distilled vinegar was recommended. Worked extremely well. Water spots are very noticeable on dark vehicles, so anyone with a Blizzard Pearl or possibly Silver can ignore this ...

 

[JFDATLAW]

I'm a big clay bar fan also. It's a really easy way to get a lot more stuff off the paint when you are waxing. I thought it was going to be hard to do but it's a piece of cake. Beware of the different grades of clay. Some are meant for amateurs like most of us and there are stronger clays for body shop/professional use. My understanding is you can do damage just like with rubbing compound. The stuff they sell in Pep Boys, etc. is the light duty clay that will take off tree sap and stuff like that.

 

[ckon]

For anyone trying to decide whether to do a clay treatment, try this: With a freshly cleaned vehicle, slip your hand in a cigarette wrapper or a small plastic bag and lightly draw your hand across the paint, preferably on the rear of the car. You'll be amazed how rough your paint probably is - I know I was!

 

[adoihcj]

I'm a big clay bar fan also. It's a really easy way to get a lot more stuff off the paint when you are waxing. I thought it was going to be hard to do but it's a piece of cake. Beware of the different grades of clay. Some are meant for amateurs like most of us and there are stronger clays for body shop/professional use. My understanding is you can do damage just like with rubbing compound. The stuff they sell in Pep Boys, etc. is the light duty clay that will take off tree sap and stuff like that.

I was extremely careful. I bought Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit and used Meguiar's Quik Detailer as the lubricant. Also, I made sure I kept the clay bar in my hand during the entire process. One thing you never want to do is drop the bar or place it on the ground. I only used the clay in places where road grime was present. For example, the hood and rear hatch were very smooth so I didn't use the bar there - only on the sides and front bumper. The key is to keep the surface well lubricated - you do not want to rub the bar across a dry paint surface.

Because I stored my 4R in the garage in the winter, after washing it I would detail it inside the garage. That's where I felt that the surface was "rough." I wanted to wait until I knew winter was over so I would only have to do it one time.

 

[ckon]

For example, the hood and rear hatch were very smooth so I didn't use the bar there - only on the sides and front bumper.

That's where I felt that the surface was "rough." I wanted to wait until I knew winter was over so I would only have to do it one time.

Did you assess the "roughness" with your hand or with cellophane as described above? If by hand, you may want to check again. Paint can feel very smooth with a "naked" hand, but very "gritty" with a bit of cellophane or thin plastic between the hand and the paint. The difference can be pretty dramatic - it always surprises me. Vehicles delivered by rail get rail dust built up on yhe paint from the train wheels, I guess. Any brand new vehicle I've had since I first heard about clay has needed the whole thing treated, tho to be honest, I haven't even checked this one yet (he said sheepishly!)

 

[poolzer]

I am a clay bar fan as well, used it on my honda and after putting 2k miles and a roundtrip from san diego to fallon, nv and back it got the treatment and looks great.

 

[adoihcj]

Did you assess the "roughness" with your hand or with cellophane as described above? If by hand, you may want to check again. Paint can feel very smooth with a "naked" hand, but very "gritty" with a bit of cellophane or thin plastic between the hand and the paint. The difference can be pretty dramatic - it always surprises me. Vehicles delivered by rail get rail dust built up on yhe paint from the train wheels, I guess. Any brand new vehicle I've had since I first heard about clay has needed the whole thing treated, tho to be honest, I haven't even checked this one yet (he said sheepishly!)

Actually, I did not check the roughness with cellophone. I used my hand and I also could see that I had specs on the paint when I started waxing the front fender. I'll try the cellophane in the future.

 

[ciaz]

This is why I bought a white vehicle this time around

My last car was platinum graphite. Swirls, water spots, and dust were my enemy!

:banana:

 

[ckon]

Actually, I did not check the roughness with cellophone. I used my hand and I also could see that I had specs on the paint when I started waxing the front fender. I'll try the cellophane in the future.

I just checked mine and it was better than I expected - it was pretty smooth.

 

[T4Fun]

how did you folks first clean your 4runner?

boy, detailing a car is way TOO DETAILED lol.

I been doing lots of reading on how to clean cars. Never knew all this stuff existed (well knew it did, just didnt bother with it)

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated! - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
Toyota 4Runner Detailing
Car Wax, paint Sealants,Car Waxes, Show Car Wax, Best Car Wax, Carnauba Car wax, P21s Car wax, Pinnacle Souveran Wax, Meguiars car wax, Mothers


so after you all got your car, you clayed it? Did you guys then polish it and then rewax it? Websites say not to wax a new car until paint has had time to cure in 60-90 days. didnt know that either. very interesting stuff.

 

[ikonxone]

how did you folks first clean your 4runner?

boy, detailing a car is way TOO DETAILED lol.

I been doing lots of reading on how to clean cars. Never knew all this stuff existed (well knew it did, just didnt bother with it)

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated! - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
Toyota 4Runner Detailing
Car Wax, paint Sealants,Car Waxes, Show Car Wax, Best Car Wax, Carnauba Car wax, P21s Car wax, Pinnacle Souveran Wax, Meguiars car wax, Mothers


so after you all got your car, you clayed it? Did you guys then polish it and then rewax it? Websites say not to wax a new car until paint has had time to cure in 60-90 days. didnt know that either. very interesting stuff.

after you clay bar, you want to use a cleaner wax to prep the surface. after that you will polish which gives the shine followed up by the wax which protects all the work you've done.