Clay bar testing on my truck with some Zaino finish

I did mine a few weeks ago, and I reformed the clay just about every time I moved to a new spot. The clay deforms pretty quickly as you move it around, you'll know when it's time.

 

how new? shouldn't need to clay right away...it will take a little while for contaminents to build up on the paint. i waxed my truck the night after i brought it home. 2 coats meguire's NXT...even the door sills.

 

this thread sold me on the clay bar. going to get one right now! haha

 

I disagree. Rail dust is bad for paint and on just about every new vehicle. Road grime and contamination from the transport to the dealer lot and typical contaminants in rain from sitting on the dealers lot means clay from day 1 will make a difference.

When in doubt, put your hand in a ziplock bag and run it over your paint, it should be silent if there is no contaminants...

 

Actually all new vehicles need clay. I assure you every vehicle on the lot whether new or used needs a clay session. Since most vehicles are shipped via train that right there puts a lot of metal contaminates on the paint. A guy I work with has a new white Pathfinder and I pointed out where those shaving are already starting to rust and leave spots in his clear coat. I would clay soon after purchase that way you have a clean slate to begin with. If you want to know if the paint is due put your hand in a sandwich bag after washing the car and rub the paint gently, that's the best way to see if you have a lot of crap on the paint.

Remember if you have swirl marks claying will not remove those and clay will strip all wax from your car. If you have swirl marks you need polish and make sure you finish off with a wax.

Edit:22b22 beat me to it.

 

I had never heard of claybar before TW. I used the Turtle Wax Ice liquid claybar on my 02 Tacoma last summer.....the end result was mind blowing. The paint looked like a liquid...it was incredibly smooth....I was impressed.

 

Ya gotta drop some bird shit on it to see if it slides off!!!

 

My son is a salesman at out local Jeep/Dodge dealer, and they clay a lot of the cars they get before putting them out on the lot or in the showroom for display.

 

They clay cars and them put them on the lot????? I find this incredulous.

 

Sometimes they come in with some overspray and they need to clean them up. Makes perfect sense.

 

hmmmmmm......I continue to be extremely skeptical. I could see them claying a car in the showroom (and then probably just the hood and rear deck).....dealers just DO NOT do anything unless they are paid for it.

 

When I bought my GTO the last owner was a detailing freak. She took it in once to have some warranty work done and despite her telling them not to clean it they washed it and left a lot of swirl marks on it. I simply do not trust a dealer or anyone really to clean my vehicle, most people don't know what they're doing or use crappy products. I could see them using clay to get a few very visible things off the paint if needed. Not saying it isn't possible there's a dealer that knows about real detailing.

 

i also used the clay bar last week. Very impressed with it, well worth the $16 . highly recomended to all

 

Think I'll clay bar my butt.