Using Clay Bar!

[msanta]

How often would you use the clay bar to get rid of the contamination on the paint? Many manufacturers of clay bars recommend using it every time you polish and wax your car, would you use it that often? Suggestions are welcomed....

 

[momo.75]

How often would you use the clay bar to get rid of the contamination on the paint? Many manufacturers of clay bars recommend using it every time you polish and wax your car, would you use it that often? Suggestions are welcomed....

I use mine about 3 to 4 times a year. A lot of it depends on how dirty your truck gets. I work out of my house, so mine stays pretty clean and doesn't get droppings or sap on it.

 

[msanta]

I couldn't believe the results of the clay on my paint. My 4Runner's paint is so smooth, I felt like doing the clay over again. It's amazing how you actually hear the clay pulling the contaminants of the paint. I saw how the clay turned brownish from the oxidation, really cool, I am really very thankful that I found this forun, since then, I have learned so much and taken care of my truck much better.

 

[aj884runner]

Clay

I`ve never used a clay bar but from what I heard it is amazing. I think you only use it tough spots and not for the whole truck, but I could be wrong. I`ve heard it actually takes off a very small amout of clear coat so if used alot, and I mean alot, you could bring it down to the base coat.

 

[jharris2]

Re: Clay

I`ve never used a clay bar but from what I heard it is amazing. I think you only use it tough spots and not for the whole truck, but I could be wrong.

Do the whole truck -- it makes a world of difference and doesn't take very long.

 

[leftyrb]

Any issue with claying the plastic painted door trim?

Thanks

 

[jharris2]

Any issue with claying the plastic painted door trim?

Thanks

Not sure of the trim you're referring to, but I'd just stick with the metal areas. That way, you know you're being safe with it.

 

[leftyrb]

Jharris:

To clarify, the plastic cladding on your vehicle also exists on mine, except it is smooth and painted body colour. I have previously used clay on my previous vehicles, but their body exterior was entirely metal, so wasn't sure if it was safe to clay the plastic parts. Unless I hear otherwise, I will skip these areas.

Thanks

 

[momo.75]

This is my opinion on the color matched cladding. If it came from Toyota painted I would clay it. If you had the gray cladding painted to match the rest of your truck, I wouldn't touch it. From the factory, it should have the clear coat and will have a warranty. Again, that is just my opinion....

 

[jharris2]

:iagree:

 

[Woodbert]

This is my opinion on the color matched cladding. If it came from Toyota painted I would clay it. If you had the gray cladding painted to match the rest of your truck, I wouldn't touch it. From the factory, it should have the clear coat and will have a warranty. Again, that is just my opinion....

I have the matching factory painted cladding and I have always clayed it when I do my truck.

I clay and wax every three months and use polish twice a year including the factory painted cladding.

 

[jharris2]

I clay and wax every three months and use polish twice a year including the factory painted cladding.

Do you strip the old wax before you wax it? Or just clay and put wax on top of what's there already?

 

[msanta]

Take a look at this movie clip made by Mothers on the use of their clay bar.Clay Bar Movie

They don't recommend you to take the wax off, they do it over the existing wax. Many people don't recommend it, others do. I did mine without stripping the entire truck of the old wax and it looks and feels better than when I took it out of the dealer.:rocker:

In reference to another posting which mentioned if the clay removed a portion of your clear coat, look at this site. These are the new Poly Clays by Pinnacle.How to use clay bars I hope this is of benefit to anyone thinking of using the clay. It is so beneficial to your truck's paint that anyone who loves their 4Runner would not hesitate to do it.

 

[Woodbert]

Do you strip the old wax before you wax it? Or just clay and put wax on top of what's there already?

John,

I always wash with Dawn to strip the old wax before I put any more wax on.

My every three month routine is: wash with Dawn, dry, clay with Griot's Clay and Speedshine, a coat of Best of Show (Griot's wax), let it set for a couple of hours, another coat of wax and set over night. The next day I buff off the BOS.

Every six months I use the number three polish (Griot's) between the claying and applying wax.

Griot's says you can last at least six months with the BOS wax but because of the salt air environment and high UV here I choose to do the wax more frequently.

 

[jharris2]

John,

I always wash with Dawn to strip the old wax before I put any more wax on.

My every three month routine is: wash with Dawn, dry, clay with Griot's Clay and Speedshine, a coat of Best of Show (Griot's wax), let it set for a couple of hours, another coat of wax and set over night. The next day I buff off the BOS.

Every six months I use the number three polish (Griot's) between the claying and applying wax.

Griot's says you can last at least six months with the BOS wax but because of the salt air environment and high UV here I choose to do the wax more frequently.

That makes sense -- being in Arkansas, I forgot about the salt you have to deal with.