Clay barring

I know you need to keep spraying it as you use it, someone said 3-4 drops or dish soap to a spray bottle.
BUT
can you hurt or do damage to the paint?
I have never tried to do this BUT want to.
TIPS or pointers would be great.
This forum has NOT let me down yet,
Thanks in advanced to everyone that responds.
ALSO
whats best clay to use and do in garage or in sun light..

Thanks again

 

Here ya go...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI

I use the clay bar 1 a year in spring..I also use a spray bottle with auto soap/water combo in the shade..

 

AWESOME video,
thanks man bunches.
i watched the one you posted plus a few more and learned alot.
thanks again

 

You won't hurt the paint by clay barring dry. It simply won't work. Clay doesn't slide dry, so it will stick and stretch and get nasty. That's why you use soap. Partly as a cleaner and partly to make a slippery surface for the clay to slide on. Make sure to fold the clay over A LOT while doing your truck so dirt doesn't build up and scratch. Never clay in sun. It takes all the wax off so it leaves your paint unprotected. Wash before and after claying.

 

thanks guys for the great tips

 

About the only "damage" you can do to the paint would be some slight surface marring. Clay is an abrasive, and depending on how hard the paint is or how aggressive the clay is, you can get some marring, which will kinda look like holograms on the surface. Most over the counter clays (ie: meguiars, mothers) are very mild and wont cause this. If it does occur, a mild polish will easily clean it up.
If you use soap, use it liberally. I'd put more than 3-4 drops in personally. Soap is ok to use, but I find that it does degrade, or break down the clay much quicker than a real clay lube will. Spray a 1x1' section at a time and work that area until you're ready to move on, then repeat. Move the clay in back/forth or side/side motions using light to moderate pressure. You can use a little more pressure on stubborn contaminents.
Definitely try to work in the shade. Reason being, the sun will dry out the clay lube on the surface of the vehicle too quickly for you.
And for a good over the counter clay, try to find clay magic (blue bar).

 

thanks so much.

 

Just did my brand newTaco yesterday, and what a difference . it worked really well and it actually looked liked a darker shade of blue after the waxing..

 

Tried a new (well, new to me) way to clay/wax last week. Instead of washing and drying then claying, I changed it up. I washed one section, then claybarred it while the soap was still on. I had to use some of the detailing spray but the soap/spray combo worked great and saved me a good 1/2 hour over my old way. The only thing you have to do after claying is a quick soapy wash over everything because the detailing spray will streak while drying. When you dry it all off you're ready to wax.

 

I wouldn't clay it with a mix of car soap. That will dry out your clay and make it not easy to work with. Sometimes, make it useless. I recommend washing the soap off, then spray your soapy water on the wet vehicle.

 

You can also use quick detailer. Your best bet is to buy Clay Magic at Autozone or Kragen for about $12. Then buy an additional bottle of quick detailer in case you run out of the Clay Magic stuff. Clay, polish and wax.