I purchased the Mothers Claybar detail system. Please help...

E

enjoy425

New member
How do you use that claybar on the surface of the car??:confused: I am afraid to rub that thing across the surface of the car for fear that it will just drag dust across the surface and scratch it as a result. I read the directions but their directions are kind of useless.



Can someone offer any help with the proper technique to follow with using the claybar on the car?



Thanx in advance:(
 
Wash the car, then you spray the quick detailer in small parts and rub the bar over that part of the car. Make sure you have enough lube for the bar to smoothly move around. Some areas may require more pressure. Feel the area and see if it is smooth.





I usually like to cut the bar into a few pieces. Like everyone will tell you, once you drop it, you may have to throw it out.
 
But won't that clay bar pick up the dirt and stuff that the regular wash didn't pick up as you move it back and forth and eventully scratch the surface?



Also, how should I move the clay bar, in circular motion or back and forth?



Finally, how much pressure should I apply to the clay bar?



I really appreciate your feedback.
 
If you haven't used a product before or want advice about common detailing concerns, there's already a forum for that.



From the Autopia home page click on "Forums" then "Detailing Articles & Tips".



There is a wealth of information located there. I highly recommend reading ALL the articles - they're great.



Answers to your questions can be found by clicking "Exterior Detailing" then "Cleaning with Clay".



Or you can just click here:

http://www.autopia-carport.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8593



If it makes you feel any better, I'm one of those "nuts" who parks a mile from the entrace to the mall. To add to my anxiety, I just purchased the most expensive car I've ever owned - a brand new $62,000 Mercedes C32 AMG. In the seven months I've owned it, I've only taken it out in the rain twice. It's pretty much a garage queen.



I too was quite scared to wash my car with Dawn and use the clay bar. However, the results were fantastic.



If you read the messages on this forum, you'll see that there are varied opinions about who makes the "best" wax, which one lasts longest, which is easiest to apply and remove, etc.



But as far as I know, clay bars are loved by all.
 
...Oh...and by the way...



I used the Mother's Clay Bar system and I really liked it. My only suggestion is to buy a second bottle of the instant detailer. In fact, you can never have too much instant detailer so I'd stock up.



Also, if you haven't bought any microfiber towels, I HIGHLY recommend you do so. They won't scratch your paint and they work wonders when detailing. Plus, no lint!
 
i rub back and forth, doesn't take much pressure. when the surface feels as smooth as glass, stop. trust me - you'll know when you've finished an area.
 
RRRize said:
I read the directions but their directions are kind of useless.



Can someone offer any help with the proper technique to follow with using the claybar on the car?



Thanx in advance:(
Click to expand...



Out of curiousity, what part of the instructions did you find useless?



Text:



Thanks for choosing MOTHERS® California Gold® Clay Bar System. The clay bar shears off damaging and unsightly contaminants and holds them in suspension. The SHOWTIME® Instant Detailer acts as a lubricant so the clay can safely glide across the surface. The California Gold® Original Formula Carnauba Cleaner Wax adds maximum shine and protection. All three are included for your convenience.





DIRECTIONS: Please read through all instructions before starting to use your California Gold® Clay Bar System.



WARNING: Take care not to drop the clay bar! Should the bar come in contact with the ground or floor it must be discarded! Dirt particles that stick to the bar can severely scratch and mar your paint.



INSTRUCTIONS:



1. Wash and dry car with a car wash product. We recommend MOTHERS® California Gold® Car Wash.



2. Thoroughly wet a 2 foot square section of your paint with SHOWTIME® Instant Detailer. DO NOT USE WATER!



3. Rub the clay bar in a back and forth motion overlapping each stroke using very light pressure. Apply SHOWTIME® as needed to maintain wetness. There is no need to rub hard. You will “hearâ€� the clay bar removing the contamination. As the sound diminishes lightly feel the area for any missed or stubborn contaminants. Continue as before until the area feels completely smooth.



4. Wipe off the excess SHOWTIME® with a soft dry terry cloth towel. Move to the next area to be cleaned.



5. After completing a body panel fold the clay into a ball and knead it flat. Performing this step for each body panel will insure effectiveness of the clay bar.



6. Apply a coat of MOTHERS® California Gold® Original Formula Carnauba Wax. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle.



7. Always store the clay bar in a resealable plastic bag or in plastic wrap. Your clay bar can clean at least 3 average sized cars before it becomes contaminated.





Looks to me like # 3 covers it pretty well. How could we improve these instructions so it would be better expplained?
 
Hey Bud! Our Mothers supplier who is based in St Pete FL told us he is not going to carry Mothers Clay anymore due to some legal stuff that he told me about but I let it go through one ear and out the other. You have any good distributors down here in FL that can wholesale out to us? We buy the can with 3 bars in it.



We also sell your 1 gallon size cleaner wax so let me know!



Thanks,



Dwayne
 
Listen to Forrest. He's the man on this product. About your fear of dragging contaminants across your paint, that's what the lub is for. KEEP WELL LUBRICATED! Always stop, and fold your clay. Keep doing this after each pannel at least. Pull & strech the bar as you fold it several times,to expose a "clean" bar. then go back to work. There is no better way to prep!

PEACE:xyxthumbs
 
I love Mothers products, started using them when I started reading this forum about a year ago.



When I started learning detailing Forrest helped me out many times and we are lucky Forrest and Mothers care enough about their buyers to monitor this and other car forums and help out the little people like me.



Would like to thank Forrest for all the help he has given me and all the good tips he has posted on this great forum



Bob

Stockton Ca
 
I believe the directions are clear. Once you start using the clay, you will understand what Mothers means by saying you can hear the bar working. Its a feel and sound techinque, but the only way to learn is to go ahead and try!
 
forrest said:




Out of curiousity, what part of the instructions did you find useless?





Thank you or your response Forrest... perhaps useless was a poor choice of words. Because I'm unfamiliar with the concept of the clay bar, reading those instructions seemd like there must be more to it than that. Why do I say that? Because it just seems like if you rub anything on a car, especially a clay-like substance, that clay will pick up debris and redistribute it on your car as you rub. The instructions just scared me, more than probably because I am simply ignorant of this clay cleaning process.



I've heard that the clay cleaning process is awesome though. That is why I prchased it in the first place. So, based on my lack of knowledge on clay cleaning coupled with my common sence on car care, the instructions just didn't seem complete or detailed enough to properly explain the process that one must follow.
Click to expand...
 
Love the Mother's clay. :xyxthumbs Granted I haven't tried others, but I see nothing that would make me bother trying anything else. I also found the instructions impressively clear and accurate.



Some people have complained that it's too hard, but to be honest I wouldn't mind if it were harder because after some rubbing it deforms and spreads under your fingers.
 
I second that. I have tried Meguiar's overspray clay, Clay Magic and Mother's and the Mother's wins hands down. I just wish you got more in the kit, but if you find it discounted, it's a good deal. Over the counter full retail is a bit stiff, though, as I really have no use for the cleaner wax.:(
 
RR - thanks. I wasn't looking to create more of a problem, but I'm always interested in a fresh perspective as to instructions, etc. You can't believe the disagreements we have over those little words on boxes and labels.
 
How long does the clay last? Is the kit for one use on a car? I would imagine that it would depend on how dirty the clay gets. Have I answered my own question?





DoorMan
 
Sure, you can use it on any surface really. As long as you use it with a lube (car wash shampoo or quick detailer) you can use it on glass, wheels, (don't re-use on paint after using on wheels though ) chrome or any painted surface. cheers.
 
You're welcome Doc.



My in-laws from south Florida like to say my wife and I live in 'south Georgia" as opposed to north central Florida. We're too far north for their liking I guess. Laters. Dan H.
 
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