Claybar, how often?

[uk2fans]

I clay barred my car in June or July of this past summer and was wondering how often I should do it. My car is always outside and since August I am always parked by trees. Was thinking it might be time to claybar again but wasn't sure if it was necessary or not.

How often does everyone claybar?

[Lowizle]

i clay mine every time i wax my car, i wash it every week and wax it every other week, so bassically, i clay mine twice a month...

[CARS GONE WILD]

i clay mine every time i wax my car, i wash it every week and wax it every other week, so bassically, i clay mine twice a month...

wow, relax dude, you don't own a bimmer. :D

but seriously, claying is not something you do everytime you wax. maybe once every 2-4 months. even more if you're garaged.

[uk2fans]

wow, relax dude, you don't own a bimmer. :D

but seriously, claying is not something you do everytime you wax. maybe once every 2-4 months. even more if you're garaged.

assuming you mean if you're NOT garaged? I thought I read some where to do it every 4 - 6 months, but just wanted to confirm.

[Nighthawk243]

I tend to do it in certain spots every time I wax (mainly the front bumper where everything tends to hit the paint at high speed). The full car only gets it once a year.

[Lowizle]

wow, relax dude, you don't own a bimmer. :D

but seriously, claying is not something you do everytime you wax. maybe once every 2-4 months. even more if you're garaged.



i do it so often because i have a 2000 grand prix GT now, and the paint is excellent, so im trying my best to keep it looking good...

[pmdramair]

Here is an excerpt from the Zaino website on the use of a claybar.

EVALUATING YOUR PAINT FOR CLAY
How do you know if you need to use Z-18 ClayBar? After thoroughly hand washing and drying your car, stretch a piece of saran wrap over your hand extending past your fingertips. Gently slide the saran wrap across the finish of your vehicle. Does the surface feel bumpy or gritty? These bumps are contaminants attacking the finish of your car. Removing these surface contaminants (rail dust, road tar, bug residue, paint over-spray, brake pad dust, hard water spots, etc.) will improve both the look and health of your car's paint.

No matter how well you hand-wash your car, many of the contaminants that have worked their way into your car's paint finish will remain. Have you ever looked at your applicator pad after applying a coat of polish? What do you think that black stuff is? It's dirt, and you're sealing it in.

Here's the link to the website http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SGCWC&Store_Code=Z

[CARS GONE WILD]

i do it so often because i have a 2000 grand prix GT now, and the paint is excellent, so im trying my best to keep it looking good...

I understand, but remember that any wax or sealant you have on will come right off when you clay. I think, and many will agree, that putting on 2 or 3 coats of a good sealant, (like Zaino, Duragloss, or Klasse), will protect for at least 4-6 months. During that time, all you should do is hand wash it with a gentle car soap, until it starts to lose beading. There's really no need to clay as often as you do.

[Blackhawk]

From what I've heard (and coupe can correct me), over claying can give a slight haze to your clearcoat because while a weak one, it is still an abrasive to an extent.

[coupe]

You can clay as often as you want or need to, there is no set time and there is no danger in doing it daily even.

As far as it removing your wax or sealant its a big debate that has been argued for many years. My personal opnion and what i have found is that it does not remove all of your LSP, it may remove a small amount but not enough to worry about.

If you have the time and enjoy doing it or just plain have to do it depending on your location then by all means do it as much as you want.

Have fun and keep it mint

[Grandam1999V6]

what claybar would you recommend for a newb coupe? I'd like to start taking better care for my paint...starting by claying the GA this year. I don't really know what the good stuff out there is. What are your favs? :)

[Nighthawk243]

IIRC, coupe uses claymagic heavily.

[Blackhawk]

I have the Mother's kit, great beginner's kit. Once this bar is out I'll be buying the larger Megs bar from the local auto store. It looks like the Mother's kit gives you about three clean pieces when you break up the bar, and the used bars can be reused for wheels and glass.

[coupe]

I use claymagic becuase it is pretty cheap, you can get it at autozone for about $10. But any OTC (over the counter) claybar would be fine. The brands you will see most OTC will be meguiars, mothers and claymagic.

[Grandam1999V6]

cool...thanks guys! :)