Clay barring

Moanin

I try to wash my car weekly and polish it at least twice a year.

I'm thinking about clay barring also but am not sure as to what it is and the benefit to the car paintwork by doing it (Car is black mk5 Golf GTI).

Can anybody give me a brief overview as to the benefits of clay barring?

Thanks

Trasna1

Moanin wrote: »

I try to wash my car weekly and polish it at least twice a year.

I'm thinking about clay barring also but am not sure as to what it is and the benefit to the car paintwork by doing it (Car is black mk5 Golf GTI).

Can anybody give me a brief overview as to the benefits of clay barring?

Thanks

It removes the bonded contamination that washing won't lift. It means applied waxes look better and last longer.

I clay mine twice a year. Probably not often enough, but for a novice like me it adds hours to the cleaning process

Moanin

Trasna1 wrote: »

It removes the bonded contamination that washing won't lift. It means applied waxes look better and last longer.

I clay mine twice a year. Probably not often enough, but for a novice like me it adds hours to the cleaning process

Thanks. I think I will give it a go so must head for Halfords to purchase kit....

cojomo2

Moanin wrote: »

Thanks. I think I will give it a go so must head for Halfords to purchase kit....

If you wanted a quicker but possibly less thorough result you could use autoglym magma (aka liquid clay). Pretty impressive stuff and prob a 15 min job.

Northern Monkey

A clay mitt is a good bit quicker at getting round the car than a bar.


http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=212511&productId=1021399&storeId=11101

MarkN

Northern Monkey wrote: »

A clay mitt is a good bit quicker at getting round the car than a bar.


http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=212511&productId=1021399&storeId=11101

Stay away from clay mitts is my advice. Too much contact with the same area over and over again. At least you can knead a proper clay bar.

Foxhole Norman

If the car already has some light scratching, I'd be using a clay cloth/mitt, I find them generally better to use and if you use them correctly, you won't really cause any harm at all. On saying that, I'd use both clay bars and cloths together as the bar comes in handy on specific areas along with readily available different grades of bar over cloth/mitt!

If it's your first time though I'd absolutely just stick with the clay bar!

Black_Knight

Only advice.... if you drop the bar, chuck it out.

tossy

Black_Knight wrote: »

Only advice.... if you drop the bar, chuck it out.

This ^ or at least cut of the bit that made contact with the ground.

I bought one of those clay mits and while the are only ok with light contamination they are no replacement for proper clay when it comes to removing heavy stuff.

Have a bottle of final touch/quick detailer when you are working to keep the clay bar lubed (steady!!)