Does it really matter the quality of clay bar? Are they all about the same? I want to claybar my car but I need a new one and dont wanna wait for it to be shipped. I was thinking about just buying one from Autozone/Pepboys. I never buy detailing stuff there most my stuff is from CG/DI/Autogeek. Do clay bars very much in quality?

 

I use meguairs from autozone

 

^ same, well I got mine from wal mart but yeah

 

just use mild from meguairs. that is good enough

 

Auto Wax owns six patents relating to clay products and provides private label clay too many of the detail industry’s leading companies. Under the previous owner, David Miller, Auto Wax aggressively enforced the patent. They initiated and won a major lawsuit against a detail chemical manufacturer in California and won a several million dollar judgement. After this they contacted the seller's of clay bars, strongly advising them to "cease and desist" or you will be sued.

As a result, all of the Polybutene (Polyisobutylene) or plastic clay being manufactured now comes from the same factory in Japan, which as the original patent holder and has a monopoly on the market. Meguiar's, Mother's, Sonus, Zaino, et al get their clay either from Japan (Source Chem. Inc. one of Japan's biggest clay manufacturers) or from the US licensed manufacturer, Clay Magic, a brand name used by Auto Magic, Auto Wax Co (the U.S. patent holder)

 

Most of them are very similar and actually come from the same exact mfg's despite the different brand names. I would just make sure you get the right bar (ultra fine, fine, medium) for your needs and double check the sizes. Some local stores only carry the 80g size and do not provide as much savings as you would first think. If you are shopping around check out this deal (DI Packages DI Gentle Fine Grade Clay Bar 100g & Clay Lube), we have a similar deal for all other DI bars and sizes on our site if interested.

 

I use mother's clay bar from O'reillys

just dont rub it in hard and scrub with it

 

I'm about to do my first claying with a Zaino bar I bought today. A local detailer not far from me carries the whole line so I ended up buying several other Zaino products.

The owner of the store even gave me a first hand demo (on my car) and tips of how to use all the products so I am hoping to get my black looking like day one again.

He showed me an interesting way to feel the small bumps caused by road debris, with your hands, that you cannot normally feel with bare hands. Get some cellophane. He used the cellophane from an empty cigarette pack. Lightly rub the hood with cellophane using two finger tips. You can feel all those little bumps. Anyway, some of you detailers probably already know that trick but this was new to me. It made me look forward to claying the car even more so.

 

I tried using a clay bar and failed horribly. Dont know what i did wrong but it left a hazy look on the car and left some fine scratches as well. Trying to find a reputable detailer in the SoFla area.

 

Probably didn't use enough clay lube.....you can make your own with dawn liquid soap and water

 

Yikes! That's not good. I was told to always splash a soapy water onto the area before claying. The bar should glide easily without hesitation. No need to apply pressure, just glide the clay bar in front-to-back motions on the roof & hood, vertical lines on the sides. When the bar hesitates to glide smoothly, splash more water onto the car. Also, put an old sheet on the ground near the section you are claying in case you drop the bar. That way it won't pick up grit from the pavement, which will transfer, and possibly scratch your car. Finally, make sure you wash the car thoroughly after claying to get off all the remaining clay residue.