Anyone use it? Swear by it? Love it? Hate it? Any tips on using it. I'll stop now......

 

Is great, everyone who I show it to is an instant convert.

Just remember to keep the area you are cleaning thouroughly wetted down with the cleaning solution it comes with. If the area is too dry you end up with slightly difficult to remove clay marks on the car.

 

Love it! Makes my car silky smooth.

 

Find a "rough" spot on your car and start there.
(On the front doors behind the wheel wells is
a good place to check, if you don't have splash
guards, there should be some crap there that
doesn't come off when you wash.)

Clay the area according to the directions and
you'll actually "feel" it getting smoother as
the junk comes off your paint and becomes embedded
in the clay. Check out the clay when you're done.
It will be absolutely filthy!

With darker colored cars, it's hard to see the
junk that is stuck to your paint, so the effect
is even more dramatic. The first time I clayed
my Max, it was one year old and I went through
*both* bars in a Zaino clay bar kit. They were
both too dirty to be reused again. I should have
taken a before and after picture of them - I almost
couldn't believe all that stuff was stuck to my
paint.

While you're at it, you should do the whole car. I
saw stuff coming off the paint even where it wasn't
that rough to the touch.

 

Hmmmm, i've never used one myself, but i've heard that they actually take off a layer of clearcoat or paint each time Any lighht on the issue?

 

They ROCK,
Meijer has one for 13.50.
a must have for a clean car...

 

I used one on my 94 Toyota Truck. I hoped it would remove water spots, bird dropping etching, etc. I don't think it did much for that but it DID leave an incredibly smooth finish that made waxing easier.


01 Sentra SE w/PP (soon to sell or trade for 01 or 02 Max)

 

I've heard that clay bars do take off a very fine layer of clearcoat with each use. I got this from a fellow car enthusiast, my mechanic buddy, and my sister's boyfriend.

I was in Los Angeles last summer and I remember watching a local news report on 'the proper way to care for your car' which mentioned that auto detailers recommend that people wash their cars at least once a week, use the car wash suds, a good sponge, and the clay bar. When I saw that, I was like 'yeah, right!' If the bar does take off some clearcoat with each use, then if someone uses it weekly, their clearcoat will be gone at a much faster rate.

I say only use it when your car is feeling really rough. Just to be on the safe side.

 

Kenny, that's exactly what i was thinking. Maybe i'll try it out like when my car is two or three years old.

 

used it on my '93 honda and '00 maxima. honda's hood, roof, and trunk felt like lite sandpaper. now it's oh so silky smooth!! i used mothers and meguiar clay bars and both are good. mothers come w/ a wax, but not the best. so get meguiars and a better wax. good luck!!

 

That's the right idea. I also ran a search of Yahoo and did not find any negative comments on the product. I will check with a friend of mine who owns a body shop, he should know. And of course I need him now, my car went in for the rear bumper TSB today. It came out great but some @*!&% ding dong back into something at the dealer!! AAGGGHHH Now it needs to be painted on top of it all.

 

Well I spoke to an Auto Body shop that I have dealt with for years and he states the clay bar does not harm the clearcoat and it does not take off any layers. I finally used it today and I must say it was impressive. The nose is too weathered to get it nice but the rest of the car was pretty sweet.

 

i used the clay bar 2 times b4, but i'm just curious...what physical properties allow the clay to pick up the stuck on junk? does it just have a stronger cohesion factor?

 

i thought clay bar was a once/twice-a-year type product...?

 

That's a good question. I have no clue but I will ask this Friday when I drop my car off. I got tapped in the rear bumper so I need to get the bumper sprayed. Sucks huh?? This is the second time. Did you like how it worked?

 

I can ask the body shop I go to and post you back. I go on Friday. Most people I spoke to say twice a year.

 

of course! for me, i won't wash my car unless it rains. i just dust off the excess dust w/ that california duster then spray on a little detailer and wipe. good as new!