Best Value ClayBar?

[devonutopia]

What's the best value clay bar, and where can I get one from please? Also, I need advice on the best spray to use as well - I have some megs NXT detailing spray if that's suitable?

[Eshrules]

ive got a shopping list which is currently growing with carwashnwax.com, i've gone for their grey claybar and i think your NXT quick detail would be fine as a lube.
********* do a meguiars claybar kit, which has the clay and lube in one, but is quite dear @ £22 :(

[Col]

Good Lord,

I use the megs kit in a box where you get the QD spray and the packet of clay, didn't think they were £22?

I'm on my 2nd box and have used all the spray that came with them.

The clay is still good though, use the old lump for below the door strips, the new one above. Have since bought the NXT QD spray though which smells like bubblegum, which is nice.

Anyway good stuff and leaves your painty all 'silky' but can't help thinking a lump of plastercise wouldn't do the same.


Back to question... try a good paint factors, I know 3M do varying grades of clay that bodyshops use to 'finish', might be cheaper than the Megs stuff but certainly will not smell very nice.

Oh, if this makes no sense, I'm very very drunk

[JR001]

Glad to hear other folks going through lots of lube. It's expensive when bought in 473 ml bottles.

Meguiars Last Touch at £18 per US gallon is great value and can be diluted 1:1 to go even further. Plus there's loads left for fine-misting you paintwork after washing and then buff to a nice shine. It's a must-have product in your kit.

Remember when claying to use only touch pressure with the clay bar as you will induce marring and scuffing in your paint. If your machining the car then it's no probs.

Personally I've tried Megs mild, SONUS Grey (aggressive) and SONUS gREEN. My fav. has to be the green. I think my technique got better by the time I got to the green.

Some people use car shampoo/water mix for lube but that can get very bubbly, and in certain parts of the country can lead to chemical staining of your car that is horrendous to clear. The last touch, or equiv, is the best way to go IMO. Go for the Megs gallon sizes. I got fed up paying £8 all the time only for it to last for half a car!

Suppliers:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=28
http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/

Hope this helps.

JOHN

[pelikan]

Can anyone briefly tell me the purpose / function of the clay bar, and at what point it is used in the cleaning process? I assume, after the was, dry but before polish? Is it for just lifting off tar particles etc?

[JR001]

WASH
DRY
CLAY AND LUBE
RINSE/WASH
DRY
CLEANSE
SEAL

A mild bar may not remove stubborn deposits and you may require a medium or aggressive bar. An aggressive bar will most likely leave scuffs on the paint which will require abrasive polishing out.

I'll be posting up a detail on a very new car which may highlight the clay bar's use and limitations.

Hope this helps.