IS clay barring color sanding??

enog24

enog24

New member
I called a few shops today to get a quote on a full exterior detail. One place I called, gave me a quote of$200 for wash, polish, wax and engine. I also told them that I wanted to have the clay bar done(I have some hard water spots, and a little tree sap, and a little overspray from god knows where) The guy then says, "Oh, if you want that done itll be double because color sanding a car is very difficult" I said "no, I just want it clayed, he then interrupts me and saiys, "well thats what clay barring a car is, color sanding!" I just hung up the phone, and called another place. Im pretty sure these arent the same, or am I wrong?
 
yeah that's not color sanding, i believe the term color sanding comes sanding single stage paint.



fwiw chances are you wouldn't be happy with that service for that price anyhow, seems like a lot to offer for 200 dollars. be careful and understand you get what you pay for.
 
Washed, Clayed, Polished, GLAZED, Sealed or Waxed (or both) is a full exterior detail. Of course, all the tires, wheels, and wheelwells were cleaned and dressed properly as was all the exterior trim, plastic, chrome, etc. I'd say to get it done right expect to pay $300 or more (I'm in South Florida [for price reference purposes only]).
 
Claying the car most likely will not remove water spotting..claying removes surface contaminants like overspray---tree sap? I would use a chemical first to help break down and liquify the sap before claying hard sap.



If you want to really neutralize the paint and clean it before claying, there are chemicals that will require more than one wash step, but will do most of what you want done. These deep clean into the clear pores, not just the surface. If they do not remove the etching from the water spots, then you most likely need to sand, but you should know the depth of the etching before sanding.



Claying is a good product for a good feel to the paint, but it will only clean the surface...some materials, when clayed, are chopped at the surface point- kinda like cutting a plant at the soil point, but the roots are still there and may return. Some metals/fallout will show their ugly head again as it continues to mix with h20 and sun (heat).



Claying is NOT wet sanding- similar, but not the same in terms of skills. I would trust myself with clay on any car, but not so much with paper- that is why I like to shop for car parts (hoods, doors, etc.) and clamp them to my saw horses and practice!!!



Rob
 
First off, you want to be careful using the term “full detail� when talking to detailers because it’s basically meaningless. No two detailers give you exactly the same set of services so you need to ask them very specifically what their “full detail� includes. The variation from one outfit to the next is huge.



Second, claying is absolutely, positively, NOT in any way, shape or form like color sanding!



I guess you could say they’re alike in that you’re rubbing something on your paint to make it look better. But that’s like saying kissing Cindy Crawford and getting punched in the face by Evander Holyfield are alike because they both involve your lips touching a famous celebrity.



The outfit that tried to tell you that “clay barring a car is color sanding� and is somehow difficult is beyond clueless. You did the right thing by just hanging up.



The term “color sanding� is still commonly used to mean sanding on paint to smooth the surface, even though it’s pretty much always done on clear paint these days. The term “wet sanding� is also still commonly used even though you can sand a finish without water. Old habits die hard.



Anyway, clay and sandpaper are basically opposites. Sandpaper has its abrasive particles on the outside. They project off the paper and into the finish. As you move the paper the particles cut into the finish and shave off paint.



Clay has abrasive particles of it’s own but they’re on the inside. Since clay’s particles are on the inside they don’t touch the finish.



As you move the clay along the paint it glides effortlessly on a film of lubricant until it comes to a bonded contaminant that protrudes above the surface of the paint. Since the contaminant is above the paint’s surface and lubricant film it will protrude into the clay, where it will be abraded by the clay’s cutting particles. It’s the opposite of how sandpaper works.



As you clay the contaminants you are abrading off minute particles. But since they’re already sticking up into the clay they stay stuck in the clay and above the lubricant film. They don’t project down to disturb the paint.





PC.
 
Jakerooni said:
Man I have to move..... I have to do all that plus windows and a full engine degrease and shine for $65 out the door. You guys make me jealous LOL.
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so what you make like 4-6 dollars an hour? it's none of my business but if i were you i'd go fill out some applications.
 
Jakerooni said:
Man I have to move..... I have to do all that plus windows and a full engine degrease and shine for $65 out the door. You guys make me jealous LOL.
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***? Thats it? I have a policy that I just started where I have a $200 minimum. Anyone not willing to agree to that and I walk. My time is just too valuable with already having a day job and a life outside.
 
WilliamHBonney said:
***? Thats it? I have a policy that I just started where I have a $200 minimum. Anyone not willing to agree to that and I walk. My time is just too valuable with already having a day job and a life outside.
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Word to that. I don't leave home for any less than $200. I can study, read a book, work on some of my primary job's projects, watch TV, go pick up girls... :D



:ignore
 
Definitely never take any vehicle to that shop, if the guy thinks claybar and wet sanding are the same thing God knows what else hes doing wrong.
 
thanks guys, I knew they weren't the same but this guy sounded so confident in hmself, I second guessed my self for a minute.
 
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