Clay bar and carnauba wax this weekend

[Shinare]

Welp, I remembered reading a thread not so long ago titled "clar bar" or some silliness that made me laugh each time I read it. I can't remember the content, but the title made me chuckle. And so I saw it at the store this weekend and thought I might buy it and try it. I spent about 3 hours washing, clay barring, finish spraying, and waxing my car and it indeed looks splendid.

I purchased the Meguiars Clay bar kit and the Meguiars carnauba wax tin. After soaping up and rinsing off the car, I opened up the clay bar kit and got to work. I was really surprised how much dirt and "yellowishness" came off into the clay. I assume the "yellowishness" was probably some old wax or polish or something.

Anyway, I didn't think I was doing it right. I didn't know how much of the lube to spray on before going over it with the clay. There was a fine line between the clay bar running right over the car like it was on ice, and a little less lube and the clay bar running over the car like it was slightly catching on the paint, and then no lube and the clay sticking to the surface completely. I settled on just slightly enough to feel a little resistance to the clay. Nowhere in the instructions did it say anything about how much lube.

My son helped me since the instructions indicated that you do a small portion with clay and lube, then dry off completely and move on. I would "spray 'n clay" and my son would follow after me and dry off.

Once the whole car was clay bar'ed, there was a smaller spray bottle of "finish" that you spray on, and wipe off, supposedly to protect your newly exposed clean finish.

Once that was all done I pulled out the little wax tin and waxed 'er up baby. Then wiped her down. She looks gorgeous. Here's a quick pick I took with my celly once I was all done, sorry about the quality, its the only digital camera I own, heh.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8940/carsmall.jpg


I didn't think that was too bad for a 2007 car that spends every day in a parking lot filled with bums that don't care if they throw open their doors into your car or not.

The best part about it is how the finish "feels" when you run your finger over it. Its indescribable how "smooooooth" it feels. Almost not even paint and metal, more like silky fabric or something.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/411/0913111750.jpg

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

ive had the stuff to do it (CLAY) but have been too lazy. probbaly should seeing as winter is just around the corner......

[Altitude]

Clar bar is gud. (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33495&highlight=clar+bar)

[Shinare]

updated my OP with the rear pic.

[Klink10]

Clay baring should be done after your wash. The purpose is to eliminate those microscopic particles that remain stuck to the paintwork. Claying will in most cases remove the protection that was on the vehicle (wax/sealant). Once clayed the vehicle should be washed again to get rid of the lube etc from the claying process. Claybar will induce marring on the vehicle so in reality a follow-up paint polish to clean and remove defects (clay marring/swirls and minor scratches) is called for. Once that is done then an application of your choice of wax or sealant protects the finish.

The amount of lube to be applied is just enough so the clay glides over the finish with a minimum amount of force. Don't try and do to big of an area as the lube will dry out , the clay will grab, your hand will slip off and the clay will probably find its way to the ground, in which case it's no good anymore. I've found that the lube supplied in those OTC kits is not enough.

[digitalrain]

Clay barring is the bomb! Like you say the first time that you try claying and running your fingers over the paint after is fantastic.

One thing that you haven't mentioned and to me is the absolutely most important part of barring is to constantly check the surface of the clay. And to knead is over when you see dirt colour to get fresh clay onto your paint(clear coat). If you're not kneading it you are grinding the grit constantly through your clear coat. You might not notice it at first because you will usually wax or seal right after , but later you will see the swirl damage. It's usually more noticeable on the side of the car if you weren't able to wash most of the dirt away.

Nothing like freshly waxed black cars. Looks great!
:w00t:

[Shinare]

Next is to sand/paint the wheels glossy black.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Yeah, those wheels look out'a place now LOL. Car looks good though.

[Shinare]

painted meh wheels today. looks a lot better. All 4 are done, but heres a pic before the storm clouds came in with 2 done and the other side of the car on jack stands, heh.

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/6280/carbt.jpg

[Bluevitz-rs]

oh, that looks sooo much better.

now give them a month and through some wax on.

[Klink10]

Yes it does look good. I'm liking where you are going with this. I do like the tint job.

[henry98]

Really it looks very shiny and prety dude good work.