Clay bar advice.

bsafly · 30th April 2020, 13:58

Hello, hope everyone is keeping well during this pandemic. Having washed my ZT-T again (for the fourth time in five weeks, even though I haven't used it!), I am unimpressed every time by the paint finish.

One of the reasons i bought the car was because the body is die-straight with no dents or dinks, and I think Raven black suits the tourer body.

As I have time on my hands now I fancy having a go at claying the bodywork, but have never done this before. I have read the 'how to' in the valeting section, but what I would like to know is what is the recommended clay product to use (there are many on e-bay to choose from - too much choice!). I have ordered a Turtle wax jet black box kit to apply afterwards, but would appreciate guidance on the best/most appropriate clay to use. Thanks in advance, Paul.

kelvo · 30th April 2020, 14:10

I've used Bilt Hamber clay bar when I have done mine - just used with water.

https://www.bilthamber.com/which-clay-bar

It's surprising just how much dirt gets embedded on the paint work and mine doesn't live outside. I also did my 30 year old Volvo 740 and the paintwork on that felt like sandpaper - I used their ferrous wash on it first (the car turned purple) and then the clay bar on it, took a lot of time but the bar ended up turning brown.

trikey · 30th April 2020, 14:44

Go for a medium bar if it’s not been done before, you will be surprised by the results.

Greeners · 30th April 2020, 15:01

Go on youtube, theres plenty of videos giving useful tips and hints

AndyN01 · 30th April 2020, 15:06

If you're going to use a clay bar then I'd go with Bilt Hamber

https://www.bilthamber.com/auto-clay

Personally I prefer a cloth, something like this:

https://www.car-chem.com/shop/fine-grade-clay-mitt

But it's very much a personal thing.

One point, if you drop a clay bar it's straight in the bin (although it'll only be a smallish piece that you've taken off the bar), with a cloth it can be rinsed off.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing how you get on.

Like Trikey says, you may be surprised - I was the first time I used it.

Good Luck.

Andy.

bl52krz · 30th April 2020, 15:15

Another one for Bilthamber medium. Had mine bought me for my Birthday couple of years ago. Paintwork after polishing felt smooth...ish, but after claying it the next time, I could not believe the difference it made. Felt like glass. I finished it off with auto-q.d. Charged Polymer Finish Dressing. Wow. No need to wax after, just wash every now and again. Lasts for quite a while.

ziggy72 · 30th April 2020, 16:16

Bilt hamber medium with water is excellent but a Farecla clay mitt is very good too and much quicker to use than the bar.

roverbarmy · 30th April 2020, 18:23

I bought and use a clay mitt which amazed me on the first use. Just as easy as washing with a sponge and what a difference.

bikerdude666 · 30th April 2020, 19:38

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit, and this is probably a really stupid question, but can you use a clay bar on glass?

Greeners · 30th April 2020, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit, and this is probably a really stupid question, but can you use a clay bar on glass?

yes I do, then wipe over with glass cleaner and it comes up like new

30th April 2020, 13:58	#1
bsafly Just going about! Rover 75 CDTi Connie SE Tourer starlight silver and serpents. MG ZT-T 190+ in Raven Black. Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Great Leighs Posts: 468 Thanks: 626 Thanked 167 Times in 110 Posts	Clay bar advice. Hello, hope everyone is keeping well during this pandemic. Having washed my ZT-T again (for the fourth time in five weeks, even though I haven't used it!), I am unimpressed every time by the paint finish. One of the reasons i bought the car was because the body is die-straight with no dents or dinks, and I think Raven black suits the tourer body. As I have time on my hands now I fancy having a go at claying the bodywork, but have never done this before. I have read the 'how to' in the valeting section, but what I would like to know is what is the recommended clay product to use (there are many on e-bay to choose from - too much choice!). I have ordered a Turtle wax jet black box kit to apply afterwards, but would appreciate guidance on the best/most appropriate clay to use. Thanks in advance, Paul.

30th April 2020, 14:44	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,758 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Go for a medium bar if it’s not been done before, you will be surprised by the results. __________________ Lest we forget..

30th April 2020, 15:01	#4
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Go on youtube, theres plenty of videos giving useful tips and hints __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

30th April 2020, 15:15	#6
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,385 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Another one for Bilthamber medium. Had mine bought me for my Birthday couple of years ago. Paintwork after polishing felt smooth...ish, but after claying it the next time, I could not believe the difference it made. Felt like glass. I finished it off with auto-q.d. Charged Polymer Finish Dressing. Wow. No need to wax after, just wash every now and again. Lasts for quite a while. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham. Last edited by bl52krz; 30th April 2020 at 21:23..

30th April 2020, 16:16	#7
ziggy72 Posted a thing or two Jaguar S-Type R Audi A5 Sportback Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gateshead Posts: 1,009 Thanks: 823 Thanked 323 Times in 222 Posts	Bilt hamber medium with water is excellent but a Farecla clay mitt is very good too and much quicker to use than the bar. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

30th April 2020, 14:10	#2
kelvo Gets stuck in MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Chatham, Kent Posts: 569 Thanks: 22 Thanked 163 Times in 135 Posts	I've used Bilt Hamber clay bar when I have done mine - just used with water. https://www.bilthamber.com/which-clay-bar It's surprising just how much dirt gets embedded on the paint work and mine doesn't live outside. I also did my 30 year old Volvo 740 and the paintwork on that felt like sandpaper - I used their ferrous wash on it first (the car turned purple) and then the clay bar on it, took a lot of time but the bar ended up turning brown.

30th April 2020, 15:06	#5
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,067 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	If you're going to use a clay bar then I'd go with Bilt Hamber https://www.bilthamber.com/auto-clay Personally I prefer a cloth, something like this: https://www.car-chem.com/shop/fine-grade-clay-mitt But it's very much a personal thing. One point, if you drop a clay bar it's straight in the bin (although it'll only be a smallish piece that you've taken off the bar), with a cloth it can be rinsed off. Looking forward to hearing and seeing how you get on. Like Trikey says, you may be surprised - I was the first time I used it. Good Luck. Andy.

30th April 2020, 18:23	#8
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,049 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	I bought and use a clay mitt which amazed me on the first use. Just as easy as washing with a sponge and what a difference. __________________ Oil in my veins!

30th April 2020, 19:38	#9
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Sorry to hijack this thread a bit, and this is probably a really stupid question, but can you use a clay bar on glass?

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