People who want to clay bar, and see/feel a difference are "passionate" about the action.

But it is a "friction based" action that is removing not only contaminates from your paint surface but also stripping wax. If you don't follow the steps and/or do the ENTIRE process correctly the potential to do damage exists.

Even within this thread you have people admitting to Claying as a "touch up" action. My understanding is that your vehicle should be as clean as possible before clay baring...

My point being primarily that it's been relatively recent that Clay Barring became a common vehicle owner part of finish maintenance. Where once it was almost the exclusive domain of Car Show enthusiasts and professional detailers, now anyone and everyone it seems is buying a lump of clay and rubbing it all over their vehicle. GREAT...more power to ya...but I remember when cars seemed to look pretty damn good and almost nobody clay barred. Suddenly rubbing your paint with a plastic bag on your hand is considered the benchmark determining the quality of your finish. Well done right? I'm sure it helps...but done wrong, I'm afraid it could do a lot of damage.

 

Okay, I see what you mean. I don't know that Honda paint can really be preserved no matter what you do or don't do....It's ridiculously thin. And I can't see the good of doing half the car because it's the same cycle of wash-clay-polish-wax so you may as well do the whole car. If people aren't doing it right, then why bother? I'd love to clay my car and maybe I will in a week or so, but I really have to clear the whole morning to do it properly. If it were easier/less time consuming, I might do it more often, but as it is...daunting.

 

is clay bar expensive? where can i buy it?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1001...9547302&sr=8-2

That's on Amazon. You can get it at any car supply store, in the washing section. It's kinda pricey but unless you drop it on the ground, you can re-use it a few times.

You have to use it with a lubricant or the car has to be very wet. The first time, it's good to get it in a kit so you get the spray to use.

There are different types and different brands, Meguiar's are one of the most expensive but gets good reviews. And it is not as aggressive as some other brands.

 

thanks, just ordered it.

 

i clay bar mine every other month

 

I do it at every major polish - usually once every 2 years on my single stage painted car (old Saab). My newer clear coated vehicles, including the Fit seem to need it once a year.

It really depends on the amount and type of dirt your car gets - that and your personal preference for how clean you want your car. Folks that live near sources of rail dust should probably claybar more often since the sharp dust embeds in paint easily and will rust, leaving spots in your paint. A garaged car that's driven regularly could go 1-2 years.

I've never found that the dirt removed by claybar is visible - the noticeable dirt is removed by regular washing. The paint feels a whole lot better though after a claybar. One exception - if you've got some form of visible paint overspray on your car, the claybar will get it off while regular washing won't.

As I understand it, claybar was originally used by car shops to remove overspray. It became part of a detailing regime later. Don't hold me to it though, I'm not a professional claybar historian.

 

I love clay barring. Does it possibly remove clearcoat...yes! Is there another way to remove contaminates that removes less...no!

Your options are 1. leaving the contaminates (most cars over one year old that have spent any time outside have them) 2. remove the contaminates with a clay bar and enjoy the smooth finish 3. remove the contaminates with a high speed buffer and compound.

Option 1 will leave you with less than a perfect finish. Option 2 leaves you with a perfect finish that you can apply a quality wax/sealant to and may remove a small amount of clearcoat. Option 3 without question removes clearcoat, but also leaves you with a smooth finish and has the plus of also removing orange peel.

The Fit's clearcoat is extremely thin so I opt for clay barring about once a year.

 

doesnt remove clear coat unless you rub it without the spary