Claybar! Is it worth doing? Hell Yes! *Pics Pg 4*

[CheyneX5]

Well, it looks like i am doing it.

Will probs go down to super rip off on monday

Is it worth doing a wax too?

[Mr Morlock]

I tend to think that Bensale is probably right. Some who are into the detailing scene will spend an inordinate amount of time on their paintwork and ultimately I believe it will not last any longer than a normally maintained car. A guy I used to work with had leather shoes that you could see your face in - every day a process he undertook- most are not nearly as fastidious.
In a production environment plastic parts for cars were each reworked after coming out of the oven and this was done by hand and or air tools but I never remember clay bars.Many believed that you could paint and not need to carry out other ops to bring about a perfect appearance but it is not so.Those who have enquired will know that you can purchase micro fine paper and very light polishes to optimise the appearance.
As for the MX5 factory these guys are clearly very good at what they do. My bet is that claying is not considered to be mandatory and if it was done then you will of course pay extra for the time it takes to carry out the process. No OE car production painting carries out this process and paintwork is now very durable.
The commercial world invents lots of must have products and many seem to be believe that brand X is the only way to go. This is not to say they do not work but you decide how far you want to go.

[Stu]

Just like prison, don't drop the bar

[bensale]

Hmm, it definetly looks like there are two schools of thought on this one... Although I think next time my car needs a good polish I will give the clay bar a go to see what it is like.

While not nessesary I would definelty use a wax of some kind Cheyne, from my understanding it works as a sealant, basically if you wax as well the car will look better and shineyer for longer between polishing or clay barring. Carnauba waxes are the best (and smell nice too) but are expensive and much more work than other types. You can get cleaner waxes, although if you are using a clay bar I would not get one of them.

[Fatty]

i usually spend 5 or 6 hours every fortnight doing a wash, then clay bar, the waxing, the polishing, all that stuff. i'd say it's well worth it. anyone who saw my car in the sunlight at winton recently will attest to that the end result is well worth it, the way the car shines and glistens in the sunlight is amazing, you can see your reflection in the smooth , mirror like paint on my car.

[meanmx]

I can attest to that Fatty. Yours is one of the most immaculate NA6's I have seen. Bensale, there are not 2 trains of thought. There are ones that have done it and ones that have not. I have not heard of anyone that has claybarred the car and afterwards said "well that was a waste of time". It is true that a car that is well looked after will have less of a benefit but you will still be able to tell. Claybarring will remove the crud on top of the paint without damaging it in the slightest. Well worth it and I will swear by it now. It is far too easy to form an opinion of something without actually having anything to base it on. Fortunately you are the type that keeps an open mind and will give it a go

Ben

[Stu]

Results of claybarring an NB:

[Locutus]

you NEED to wax after using clay as it strips all paint protection from the car.

i believe the procedure is:
wash
clay
wash - wash off lubricant
polish/buff
wax - multiple coats of quality stuff for a deep gloss


clay isn't just for paint either. it cleans up glass & trim just as well.

[bensale]

Ok cool, looks like I'll give this a go before I start Uni.

Thanks Ben, will definetly give it a go, especially having seen the depth you get out of your car's paint. Fatty... Couldn't agree more...

Can't wait to see the end result Cheyne!!

[fattima]

Results of claybarring an NB:

Women get stuck to the paint work? I'll have to give it a go!

[Uncle Arthur]

Results of claybarring an NB:

Women get stuck to the paint work? I'll have to give it a go!

I was wondering how you can tell from that photo that she's been waxed.....

As for the claybar - if you buy the Meguiars kit, break the clay in half. I still have one half unused, and the used half is still going after nearly 2 years.

[Locutus]

I tend to think that Bensale is probably right. Some who are into the detailing scene will spend an inordinate amount of time on their paintwork and ultimately I believe it will not last any longer than a normally maintained car. A guy I used to work with had leather shoes that you could see your face in - every day a process he undertook- most are not nearly as fastidious.
In a production environment plastic parts for cars were each reworked after coming out of the oven and this was done by hand and or air tools but I never remember clay bars.Many believed that you could paint and not need to carry out other ops to bring about a perfect appearance but it is not so.Those who have enquired will know that you can purchase micro fine paper and very light polishes to optimise the appearance.
As for the MX5 factory these guys are clearly very good at what they do. My bet is that claying is not considered to be mandatory and if it was done then you will of course pay extra for the time it takes to carry out the process. No OE car production painting carries out this process and paintwork is now very durable.
The commercial world invents lots of must have products and many seem to be believe that brand X is the only way to go. This is not to say they do not work but you decide how far you want to go.

i think some of you are confused as to the purpose of the clay bar. clay bars are use to CLEAN paint - i.e. remove surface contaminants that you can't get out just by washing. it is not necessary to clay fresh paint because there are no contaminants in it. clay is not a polish. it is not abrasive and does not eat your paint like a polish or cutting compound. it doesn't change the surface of your paint other than remove oxidised paint or contaminants. afaik, clay will not prolong the life of your paint - all you need for that is to regularly apply a surface sealant.

the purpose of polishing is to fix fine blemishes in the paint such as very light scratches or swirl marks. polishes are mildly abrasive to alter the surface of your paint.

when you wax your car you are sealing your paint against the elements. if you never clay your car, every time you wax you also seal in these surface contaminants, so your car will never be as shiny or look as "wet" as it could.

[Szemen]

Claybar is well worth it. Esp on an MX5 where its not a bitch to wax or polish, its just a really nice prep before polishing and wax. Gets rid of the nasty orange peel.

I usually use Autoglym for my washing needs, but Meguiars claybar is very very good. Wash your car thouroughly, then clay it, and you will be AMAZED at the amount of embedded grim it picks up.

Just beware if you drop it, cut off the bits with sticks/leaves on it. Put it in a container after your done and I usually sprary abit int he container as well.

[Uncle Arthur]

Results of claybarring an NB:

Women get stuck to the paint work? I'll have to give it a go!

I was wondering how you can tell from that photo that she's been waxed.....

It must be because her bonnet is all shiny and smooth - I've heard that a thorough waxing will do that.....

[wun911]

Is cut and polish removing a layer of paint?