Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

I suppose this visual is accurate.


Nah, a good clay bar will work fine, and should not hurt the paint.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Would you prefer just leaving them there?

tgara

That won't happen. The bits get transferred and embedded into the clay where they no longer make contact with the clearcoat. The clay is softer than the clearcoat and swallows up the bits.

ff_

I don't buy it for a second. If the clay bar is firm enough to pull pieces of debris out of clearcoat, then it's firm enough that the debris isn't going to completely embed itself, sucked away into a magical black hole. The clay bar would need to be as soft as a warm stick of margarine for that to be the case.

JoeLexusIS

I had the same "rust spot" problem on my CW IS350 when I picked it up...Brought it to my detail guy and he clayed the car and 99% of it is gone with no scratches at all from it.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Again I ask ... would you prefer to just leave the metal flakes embedded in the paint? It won't go away on its own, or even by washing it. Besides, washing a car is somewhat damaging to the paint. Do you ever wash your car?

After having my car clayed and sealed, it is smoother than anything I've ever touched or seen. Way moreso than when I bought it.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

Have you used a clay bar before? If not, it isn't necessarily the firmness which grabs the contaminents in the paint, its the sticking properties. You also don't just rub it, but constantly fold it over, like you would a paper towel trying to wipe something up. The clay molds to the form of the cars surface, similar to play doh or putty, and is very easy (and pretty fun actually) to use...we're talking very fine/miniscule contaminents in the paint, not something harsh or abrasive enough to start scratching as you believe, in most cases. If that were the case, the object would probably be big enough to just scratch your paint period, then deflect off the car, in the typical fashion of a rock/pebble and such. Check it out sometime, as it works wonders on aged paint.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

because all the top detaiers use clay bars to mess up their paint. You need to clay a car youll be astonished to see how much crap gets sucked off the paint

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Buy it. Will turn a rough feeling finish amazingly slick.

Be forewarned - claybars are NOT easy to use, especially keeping enough lubrication (water and quick detailer) sprayed on the surface of the paint while you use it and making sure to fold the clay frequently enough. Search in our detailing forum for some good 'how to' discussion.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

they arent that hard to use, just the first time its strange. Just do not drop the clay bar on the ground because you will pick up sand dirty particles and you dont want to clay that car with taht. Keeping track of where you have clayed and havent clayed is somewhat tricky at first, feel around for rough spots and smooth spots

Markie1985

[QUOTE=Shinobi-X]I suppose this visual is accurate.



This is what mine looks like too. Why should any one of us pay for a detail service on a brand new car with rust dots im calling Lexus right now to take care of it.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

Basically. I always found it pretty easy, far from complicated, and straight forward...certainly more easy than a host of other task, but to each his own I suppose.

Did yours come like that (sitting on the lot)? I would ask them to clean it up without a doubt if that were the case, otherwise it happens over the course of owning a car at times.

tgara

Its OK to be skeptical. Full disclosure, I was skeptical about clay bars too. Until I tried one. Now I swear by them -- they really work, and do not damage the finish. Many people have used them for years with great success. You should give it a try and see for yourself.

ff_

I'm open to trying new things. I'll give the clay bar some consideration.

carlos

iTrader: (1)

clay bars are also great for the windows.