Clay bar saved me a ton of money
#31
01-10-2011 | 07:41 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
Better late than never, I have been compounding over spray off my bike for two weeks wincing the entire time. I buffed the bags and tank with the compound and after reading this thread went a picked up some clay bars. Cleaned up the front fairing and front fender with the clay, it felt a lot better rubbing the bike with the clay than it did with the compound. I still need to clean the rear fender, I hope to get it done some time this week.
After using the clay bar, I think the bike looks better than it did when new.
After using the clay bar, I think the bike looks better than it did when new.
#33
01-10-2011 | 08:26 PM
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
I've used clay bars for years and they work great. Sometimes you can get some really good prices on clay bars and cleaning solution if you buy online in quantity. I've used many different brands and some are better than others but they all work pretty well. They even have them now at the local Wally World. Definitely worth using once or twice a year.
#35
01-10-2011 | 09:28 PM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 522
From: Rolla, Missouri
It only removes "surface" contaminants.
The clay is not an abrasive like rubbing compound is, so it only removes surface contaminants like over spray, tree sap, etc.
A scratch is "in" the paint, not on top of it.
#37
01-10-2011 | 11:56 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 11
From: USA
No, it will not ruin a paint surface. It's really not an abrasive like rubbing compound is.
All a clay bar does is help remove contaminants (tree sap, paint over spray, etc) that are stuck to the paint.
You use a spray detailer to keep the surface lubricated, otherwise the clay will stick to the paint.
Note: If you drop the clay bar, throw it away and get a clean one as it will pick up every piece of sand, dirt, etc. and then it will be like sand paper.
Once all the contaminants are removed, the paint surface is as smooth as glass. Then you need to use a good coat of your favorite wax to protect the finish.
All a clay bar does is help remove contaminants (tree sap, paint over spray, etc) that are stuck to the paint.
You use a spray detailer to keep the surface lubricated, otherwise the clay will stick to the paint.
Note: If you drop the clay bar, throw it away and get a clean one as it will pick up every piece of sand, dirt, etc. and then it will be like sand paper.
Once all the contaminants are removed, the paint surface is as smooth as glass. Then you need to use a good coat of your favorite wax to protect the finish.
#38
01-11-2011 | 06:39 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 1,783
From: Paradise (almost, Florida )
I shouldn't call them scratches, more like swirls and rub marks in the clear coat, not the paint.
#39
01-11-2011 | 10:23 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
Try some Meguiars M105. Check out the Meguiars web site for a forum and lots of how to's and videos.
#40
01-11-2011 | 12:20 PM
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 9
From: Wherever, MI
My bike had a lot of these imperfections in the black paint. I used meguiars Quick Detailer with a clay bar, followed by polishing with Meguiars "Ultimate Compound" and then finally did a good coat of meguiars yellow wax. - Looked new again.
Yeah Yeah, I love meguiars. I detailed professionally and those were the only products I used on expensive vehicles.