[cyba]

Just trying to get an idea how long it takes for you guys to clay the entire car? Maybe the clay size im using is too small... I have see some guys online use clay bars at least half the size of their palm...maybe that speeds the process up a bit

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Your first time will probably take you an hour. I can do one in about 20 minutes using a variety of fine and medium grade bars.

[Icedog_16]

I haven't had the opportunity yet. But I could probably do it in less than an hour pretty easily.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by JOYRIIDE1113

Your first time will probably take you an hour. I can do one in about 20 minutes using a variety of fine and medium grade bars.

20 mins??? Do u just hit all horiztonal surfaces? and areas right behind the wheels?

[L~R~G nor cal]

I tend to take my time with clay. If you lived in my area you would as well due to how bad are roads are. They always fill in the pot holes with this sticky stuff that slings every where and gets stuck on the paint. I need to make sure that I take my time and prep every little area before I polish or I could cause some major damange. I usually use two different types of clay and my total time claying is around 50min.

[SpecC]

takes me an hour spending a lot of time behind wheels, on the hood, and on the front bumper

[darkcloud]

About 30-60 minutes for me.

[AJerman]

You guys should have seen my roommate's Jeep. One day he wanted to wash it and I was bored so for the hell of it we pulled it into the garage afterwards and decided to clay, polish and wax it. Let me tell you, Jeeps suck. They have a bunch of flat surfaces that junk just sits and bakes in on. I spent at least 15-30 minutes claying the hood alone. Luckily there isn't really a lot of painted surface on a Jeep, so that made up for it.

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Originally Posted by Socom

20 mins??? Do u just hit all horiztonal surfaces? and areas right behind the wheels?

Nope! I'm real gentle and slow actually, and cover every square inch including wheels and glass. I have a small plastic tub of warm water with two clay bars in it soaking. I wash the car, rinse, and with clean soap solution, I squeeze soap from a sponge onto the car. I grab a clay bar and do a panel. Throw the clay bar into the warm water and grab the other, proceed to do the same thing over and over. Letting it soak in warm water lets the clay bar become softer making it easier to mold to a fresh section. I probably end up having to squeeze the soapy sponge over the car two more times until I'm done.

From there, I reverse the car outside and pressure rinse (you could do it with a hose) the soapy residue off the paint.

EDIT: I use a seperate more aggressive clay on wheels and glass.

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Originally Posted by AJerman

You guys should have seen my roommate's Jeep. One day he wanted to wash it and I was bored so for the hell of it we pulled it into the garage afterwards and decided to clay, polish and wax it. Let me tell you, Jeeps suck. They have a bunch of flat surfaces that junk just sits and bakes in on. I spent at least 15-30 minutes claying the hood alone. Luckily there isn't really a lot of painted surface on a Jeep, so that made up for it.

You needed a more aggressive clay in this case. You probably installed more marring and scratching trying to decontaminate it with a fine grade bar, than you would've with a more aggressive claybar.

[sparkyg]

I normally onyl do a section, the whol;e car is a ton of work to polish and then wax. That is a 4+ hour job.

[agentm]

Originally Posted by JOYRIIDE1113

Nope! I'm real gentle and slow actually, and cover every square inch including wheels and glass. I have a small plastic tub of warm water with two clay bars in it soaking. I wash the car, rinse, and with clean soap solution, I squeeze soap from a sponge onto the car. I grab a clay bar and do a panel. Throw the clay bar into the warm water and grab the other, proceed to do the same thing over and over. Letting it soak in warm water lets the clay bar become softer making it easier to mold to a fresh section. I probably end up having to squeeze the soapy sponge over the car two more times until I'm done.

That is the first time I heard of this clay in the water. Doesn't it get too soft after awhile to a point it gooey and sticky even to your finger? What kind of clay are you using? The reason I ask is because I use Meguair clay and when the spray was finish I had to get the Mothers spray detailer and it makes the clay too soft. So if you soak the clay in the water and use the soapy sponge over the car wouldn't it make the clay too soft?

[BayerischeMW]

some bars are 7-8 oz, others are 3-4 oz. i feel the need to cut a 8 oz bar into multiple smaller ones and throw the ones i used away when done.

how much clay do you use per car? and how much clay lube (16 oz of lube should do X cars)?

[uabimmer]

that reminds me my car needs a wash

sorry for the ...heehee

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by agentm

That is the first time I heard of this clay in the water. Doesn't it get too soft after awhile to a point it gooey and sticky even to your finger? What kind of clay are you using? The reason I ask is because I use Meguair clay and when the spray was finish I had to get the Mothers spray detailer and it makes the clay too soft. So if you soak the clay in the water and use the soapy sponge over the car wouldn't it make the clay too soft?

+1

joyride, that's a really interesting way you proposed. What clay do you use? I think it'd work. In principle, it makes a lot of sense really.

agentm, i think the reason your clay is getting too soft is because the detailer has a bit of cleaning agent in it which breaks down the clay. Try some warm but not hot water and I think you'll end up with similar results as joyride. I think if it gets a little gooey, you could always dunk it into cold water after you mold it into the right shape anyway.

[David@Sonic MS]

i just clay my car, do you know how long should i wait for the next clay?

[BayerischeMW]

the best way is to check with your fingers after you wash if the paint feels rough - if yes, it's contaminated and could use a clay. it depends on a various things: how often and how you drive the car, the pollution the car is subject to, how often you wash the car etc.

[AJerman]

Originally Posted by JOYRIIDE1113

You needed a more aggressive clay in this case. You probably installed more marring and scratching trying to decontaminate it with a fine grade bar, than you would've with a more aggressive claybar.

Definitely could have used more aggressive clay, all I had in the garage at the time was just some generic Meguiars clay. Either way, it's a Jeep and has deep scratches all over it, we were just trying to take a little while to make it a little better, and it certainly did after we were done.

[agentm]

Originally Posted by SpecC

+1

joyride, that's a really interesting way you proposed. What clay do you use? I think it'd work. In principle, it makes a lot of sense really.

agentm, i think the reason your clay is getting too soft is because the detailer has a bit of cleaning agent in it which breaks down the clay. Try some warm but not hot water and I think you'll end up with similar results as joyride. I think if it gets a little gooey, you could always dunk it into cold water after you mold it into the right shape anyway.

I believe it's the Mother's product that cost the problem. Dipping in cold water is a great idea. thanks

[agentm]

Originally Posted by BayerischeMW

the best way is to check with your fingers after you wash if the paint feels rough - if yes, it's contaminated and could use a clay. it depends on a various things: how often and how you drive the car, the pollution the car is subject to, how often you wash the car etc.

Great answer! I usually clay it anyway if I'm doing a full detail.

[cyba]

Originally Posted by JOYRIIDE1113

Nope! I'm real gentle and slow actually, and cover every square inch including wheels and glass. I have a small plastic tub of warm water with two clay bars in it soaking. I wash the car, rinse, and with clean soap solution, I squeeze soap from a sponge onto the car. I grab a clay bar and do a panel. Throw the clay bar into the warm water and grab the other, proceed to do the same thing over and over. Letting it soak in warm water lets the clay bar become softer making it easier to mold to a fresh section. I probably end up having to squeeze the soapy sponge over the car two more times until I'm done.

From there, I reverse the car outside and pressure rinse (you could do it with a hose) the soapy residue off the paint.

EDIT: I use a seperate more aggressive clay on wheels and glass.

sounds like a good idea. I thought you have to wipe down every section that has just been clayed...if not thats why my claying is taking too long
I havent tried the Zaino clay bar yet does anyone know if thats medium grade?

Thanks!

[GAM3OVR85]

Originally Posted by cyba

I havent tried the Zaino clay bar yet does anyone know if thats medium grade?

Thanks!

+1