i bought the mothers clay bar kit today and i just got done washing my car.. now could somebody tell me how to use this thing?? the kit comes with the clay bar, showtime detailer spray, and caranuba wax. it looks ike that i spray the showtime detailer and i rub the clay bar over it.. please give me instructions somebody!!.. thanx..

 

I am assuming you bought the 19.99 kit that comes with the bottle of detail spray and a small bottle of carnuba wax. Get a spray bottle and put a capful of the car wash soap in it. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and mix. Spray the area you are going to use the clay bar on generously as you rub the car down with the clay bar. It should just slide and you don't have to put pressure on it. The car should not be hot to the touch as the clay bar will not slide too well if it is.

The detail spray is for you to use it for a quick wipe down after you are done with everything. I don't mean use it after you wax it but rather if the car gets a little dirty like a day or two later. You can just spray that and wipe it down without having to wash the car. The little bottle of wax is just a sample kinda thing.

 

im assuming any kind of car soap will work? i normally just use dawn to clean my car and it works well. thanx man for your help... i was clueless with the thing lol..

 

Use a dish washing detergent only if you want to strip all the wax off the car. Make sure you wax your car after using a dish washing detergent. It would be better if you used a car wash soap.

Edit: You shouldn't wash your car with a dish washing detergent every time you wash your car.


[Modified by Anubyss, 2:37 PM 10/23/2002]

 

ur probably right on not cleaning my car with dawn. im just lazy and didnt get car wash soap. anyway.. when i do this "mixture" when i spray it on my car, do i wait for it to dry before applying the clay bar?? or apply right after sprayed??

 

Actually the way they tell you to do it is wash the car then spray the detail instant shine stuff on the area your going to use the clay bar on untill it is wet. Then in a back and forth motion rub the clay bar not aplying pressure just the weight of the clay. then wipe off any excess spray. It says DO NOT USE WATER. If you drop the bar throw it away don't try to save it. It will ruin your paint. Read the box it has the directions on there.

 

As long as the area is slippery whether you use car wash soap/water mixture or the detail spray it's fine. Other manufacturers have you using the the soap/water mix. Apparetly the one you picked up wants you to use their detail spray. I don't have the stuff in front of me so I couldn't tell you.

 

I use a different brand and you are supposed to use the detail spray for lubricating your paint, then rub the bar over the wet area and wipe it off afterwards. Only do small areas at a time because it will dry up. Also, stop using Dawn on your car right now, i have seen that **** put spots all over a silver car and it will ruin your paint. Go out and buy some basic car wash soap, it will last you years, you only need a capful for every bucket of soap you make.

 

what does clay baring do anyway?

 

clay barring removes inbedded contaminants from your paint..pretty much just makes it smoother.

 

if you wax your car and run your hands over it and it feels gritty, kinda like a real fine sandpaper, then you need a clay bar.

 

Heres how: Just rub the clay bar over the paint making sure that the area your going over is very wet. You will know when to move on because the paint won't "grab" the bar any more. Be sure to constantly turn the bar so that the grit you picked up doesn't end up scratching the paint. It cleans over spray, tar, bug, sap, and just about anything else stuck to your paint.

 

already waxed the car 2 times @ august and october.. still feels like there is a map at the paint.. so this bar helps me get rid of those eh.. where can i get them?

they are different from rubing compounds right?

 

yes they are different from rubbing compunds. Here's where i got mine, you'll need the "speed shine" too...... http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=11145

 

alright, when i apply the clay bar, should it leave a residue? cuz i sprayed the showtime stuff than i lightly rubbed the clay bar over it, and it felt like it wasnt really doing anything.. does leave a filmy residue behind or no??

 

no, no residue, it should just slide easy.. you will hear it if you listen real close, the 'rubbing' sound will diminish to nothing... when you are done, dry out with a big soft rag and check the spot you just did, it will amaze you how smooth it is.


[Modified by kevie88, 5:48 PM 10/23/2002]

 

thank you my good man.. i shall go do it now..

 

Oh yeah and keep kneading the clay into a ball and flattening it out again. It's good to keep fresh clay down and distribute the grit and crap into the bar so it works best.