Since the use of clay bar is one of most essential steps in car care, I thought it would be appropiate to post the "How to" of using clay.
Everyone wants to keep their Car in top condition, but if you drive it everyday, like most of us it is subjected to all kinds of contaminants.

Biggest complaint I've heard is "how to get out surface scratches". First lets talk about how they got there. Most of time its from improper washing/drying. When the car is not prepped properly, all you do is work existing dirt into the finish. (this is called Micro Marring)

The clay bar is the best solution to ensure proper cleaning BEFORE you polish/seal. Most people never heard of clay, and if they have they don't know how to use it. After you wash your car as I normally do, feel it with your hand.

A simple test is to put your hand in a plastic baggie and gently move across the finish, (The plastic magnifies the senses in your skin 15 times that of bare flesh so you will notice things through the plastic you never before felt.) if it grabs a little, or feels rough, you have fine particles of dirt that you did not remove during the washing stage.

HOW TO USE CLAY: First get yourself a fresh bucket of soapy water. break off a small piece of clay in your hand, (clay works best with lots of lubrication) lather a small section of your car, dip the clay on the water, spray the clay with quick detail spray, gently work the clay in a side to side motion. (don't press to hard, it works well with gentle pressure)

After 4-4 strokes, spray again, lather, and do another section. Keep dipping clay in the bucket, keep spraying with QD, work side to side. You will see (and feel) the finish getting cleaner, your hand will start to get the hang of it (if the surface gums up, it is not lubricated enough).

Once you get it down, its easy. The key is lubrication, gentle side to side motion. also, after a few sections, press the clay in your hand in and out, making a fresh surface. It looks and feels like play dough, so you can make a new surface by working it.

One piece will do the whole car. IF YOU DROP THE CLAY THROW IT OUT, USE A NEW PIECE! It will pick up dirt from the ground and become a hazard, working like sandpaper. after you do the whole car, wash car again to remove clay residue, dry with large waffle weave micro fiber towel. Follow up with a paint cleaner and sealant. Your finish will be show car ready.



Why do you clay a new car? Because when your car is shipped from the factory it attracks rail dust. Occurs when the friction between the steel train tracks rubs agains the steel wheels it creates hot metal fibers that stick to your finish. Those fibers will form small rust colored spots on your finish.
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Great post! Got some plans with a friend to do this soon!!!
Lubrication is the key she once told me

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

in more than one way! ha ha ha figured i'd post this up since there were some questions on claybaring. hope it helps!

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Good tips man! I never used one before but I will be within the next month or so.

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

If you guys want the best detailing products and customer service there is only one site and thats www.adamspolishes.com and join their www.adamsforums.com for great info on how to do this stuff. Lots of writeups and just plain and simple best customer service period. Yes the stuff is more expensive then autozone stuff but if you are serious about protecting your ride and making it look great at the same time then this is the place to be.

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good how to videos on the Adams site too!!

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couldnt agree more

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

Claybar, best thing since sliced bread. Such a nice feel when your car is nice n' smooth because of it, very rewarding.

As for products "Gold Class" is fantastic even with a single coat. I'll have to run out of the Meguiar's I have before I try Adam's or someone elses. I'm a bit skeptical to buy other products that are pricey, while Adam's clearly works I question how long I'll be into serious detailing

Great write-up btw

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Mods: Vector ECM/TCM tune | VG Sharkfin | Volant CAI w/Amsoil Filter | Spyder Tails | GXP Rear Diffuser | Debadge | SLP Spoiler
Erebus: 2000 Grand Prix GTP Sedan
2009.5 G8 GT
GPONA's June COTM 2011 & March 2012

Very nice write up, I can't wait for it to be a really nice weekend so I can get out there and claybar mine...... She really needs it after our winter here in the No. VA area.......

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Thrasher CAI-DHP PCM-MSD Coils-PRJ Wires-NGK TR55IX-Corsa Exhaust-180 T-Stat-Trans Cooler-GMPP RTA-F/R STB w/Don's Brackets-3 AeroForce Gauges-Slotted/Dimpled Rotors-Kazerza KZ-V 17X7-Custom Painted Engine-Fuse Cover-Chrome DogBone Mounts-Upper Mounts-Side Mounts-ALT Re-Wire

do i even have to say?!?!?! lol


but ya definitely a good help, id like to do this soon when the weather breaks

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Behold the majestic beast as it strides

Dude I didn't even notice that till I read it back to myself. How do you know its not a girl?

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

Great advice man, thanks!!! Too bad there aren't more guy like you around here...Id gladly throw a few bills at someone who knows what the kcuf they're doing. Otherwise, Id rather just do it myself....hard to trust others with your car. Much less pay them a few hundred to screw it up...oop, i mean "detail" it

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2005 Pontiac Grand Prix:|SE front|SPO grilles|HPTuned|HUD added|5-button DIC swap|Wizaired CAI|180*|EGR delete|GMPP rear sway|F&R STBs w/DRs brackets|3.29s|HD Diff|7/8" chain|WBS TA's|SD Headers|GenV SSM90 Hybrid(INSTALL PENDING)

come on Kendra...detailing is a life long job lol...i have a feeling ill be 90 out in my garage with my Adam's products and my PC

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

hehe good point. As long as I have DuBob's old car I'll have to stay in the detailing deal

I thought about going Pro when I finally learned all the tricks, but I'm impatient, I have a hard time finishing my own .

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Mods: Vector ECM/TCM tune | VG Sharkfin | Volant CAI w/Amsoil Filter | Spyder Tails | GXP Rear Diffuser | Debadge | SLP Spoiler
Erebus: 2000 Grand Prix GTP Sedan
2009.5 G8 GT
GPONA's June COTM 2011 & March 2012

You picked a bad color to be impatient with..
Black is the devil.

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

Yeah, isn't that the truth. I've detailed it extensively twice and the next day it's dirty. I really applaud Dave for doing so well with it

But that's alright, I can take my impatience out on the Dakota, it's such a light blue you can't really tell the difference. And when I mean impatient, I can't finish the entire car in one day, I get too impatient about seeing the end result.

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Mods: Vector ECM/TCM tune | VG Sharkfin | Volant CAI w/Amsoil Filter | Spyder Tails | GXP Rear Diffuser | Debadge | SLP Spoiler
Erebus: 2000 Grand Prix GTP Sedan
2009.5 G8 GT
GPONA's June COTM 2011 & March 2012

buy me a plane ticket man! im down! lol

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^^^ what he said lol

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

sticky this please!

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sticky????

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So what is the proper way to wash your car? First I rinse it down to get off all the loose dirt and stuff then, I use a microfiber towel and gold class soapy water. Then rinse and dry with a shammy. Is that ok or am I rubbin in dirt and scratching my paint?

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2007 supercharged GT Mods: 3.5, K&N intake, AL104s, 180* t-stat, Overkilled PCM, SD headers, 2.5" Magnaflow catback, Aeroforce, Oil pressure, and Boost gauges.

ur doing just fine only thing i can suggest is if ur going to use the shammy wash it after every use. cuz no matter how well u wash the car u will always hit a area u didnt hit while washing. oh and while washing be sure to rise the wash mitt in a different bucket of clean water after hitting bottoms of doors and bumpers so u arent dragging all that road grime and what not that get tossed on the paint from the tires all over the rest of the car. hope that helps!

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Very good thread!!

I started using Claybar last summer on both of my cars and can tell you the feel of a clay barred/polished/waxed/sealed car is completely diffrent than your average dd.

If yur serious about goin to shows/cruise nights, you gotta put in the time and do this!!

Rail dust: I totally forgot about rail dust!!! My Galaxy Silver Gomp G has some of this!!! Just got it in December so I geuss no one ever took care of it b4... its a goner completely as soon as the weather breaks!!

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2004 GTP Comp G. The Daily Driver.
JULY 2011 GPONA COTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uNwgZGrvJ0
1992 GTA Trans Am. The Toy.
2003 VW Jetta. The Spousal Unit.

Got a Meguiar's Quik Clay pack for Christmas, and can't wait for a run of decent weather to try it.

You won't be disappointed.

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Dubs:00 VW GTI VR6, Low and Slow 91 VW GTI 8v, Shave the Bay!! 91 VW Cabriolet 8v, bitch Basket
GP's:04 GP GT, Past now G-Ma's Girlfriend's 97 GP GT, "Project Pink Power"