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Good Brand of Clay Bars

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by skeezix, Feb 16, 2025.

  1. Feb 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
    #1
    skeezix

    skeezix [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I want to buy some clay bars to see if they would work on my windshield and other exterior glass. When I checked Amazon, there were so many to choose from that I suffered brain overload.

    Any particular brand better than the rest? I just need a few bars, and I was looking at Meguires and Mother's.
     
    Black97v6MT and Pbfender15 like this.
  2. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
    #2
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 Grandma Dave

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    Clay bars are clay bars. Shouldn't really matter as long as name brand. I always get this kit, since it comes with the spray detailer.

    20250216_190349.jpg
     
    MGMDesertTaco likes this.
  3. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
    #3
    wingnutj468

    wingnutj468 Well-Known Member

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    Either one should work fine. I used some spray detailer as a lubricant and was completely blown away with the results.
     
  4. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
    #4
    Squirt

    Squirt Samsung Aficionado!

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    I currently have been using a Mother's Speed Clay 2.0. Seems to do alright.
     
  5. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
    #5
    4xdog

    4xdog Well-Known Member

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    NmapFE, Black97v6MT and Squirt like this.
  6. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
    #6
    Squirt

    Squirt Samsung Aficionado!

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  7. Feb 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
    #7
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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    Mother's California Gold FTW.

    Meguiar's clay is cheap quality.
     
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  8. Feb 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
    #8
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 Grandma Dave

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    Good to know. I'll keep doing what I'm doing ha.

    Have clayed + waxed many cars for myself and family members. The mothers California gold has been perfect. Doesn't damage the paint and the finish is ridiculous after waxing.
     
    MGMDesertTaco[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Feb 17, 2025 at 3:50 AM
    #9
    Sig45

    Sig45 Well-Known Member

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    Another Mothers user here.
     
  10. Feb 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
    #10
    LightsOff

    LightsOff Well-Known Member

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    Have you all been waxing your windshields/glass after the clay? OP - have you tried a polishing compound to remove scratches at all (from the glass)?
     
  11. Feb 17, 2025 at 6:55 AM
    #11
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

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    Lubricate the surface rub with the bar, you will feel when it is smooth, kneed that clay back into itself and repeat. I can only do say a fender at a time as this is so tedious, stop go do something else, then the hood, etc.
     
    Superdave1.0 likes this.
  12. Feb 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
    #12
    smyles1632

    smyles1632 Well-Known Member

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    Any clay bar and few drops of dishwasher liquid in a spray bottle will work just as good. Mothers are nicely packed, but at the end of the day it's all the same stuff.
     
  13. Feb 17, 2025 at 9:18 AM
    #13
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 366k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    i would like for there to be an actual glass polish like that! i have asked a few local detailers and there is None that they know of
    there is 250k miles on the current windshield of my taco since replaced (original had a Large crack all the way across from the edge)
    the little microchips from road debris and/or wiper scraping abrasions have become QUITE noticeable driving into the sun at certain angles. it is blinding at times
    it is in need of a new windshield definitely even with zero cracks in it... all chips have been treated asap at safelite chip repair
    but since no large cracks that are not repairable i continue to roll with it
    if there is a polish that can remove most or all of these little microchips i am All Ears All Eyes LoL
     
  14. Feb 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    #14
    skeezix

    skeezix [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, all you who replied!

    @MGMDesertTaco...

    I thought that Meguiers could be trusted for ALL their products. Looks like I'll get the Mothers brand.

    @LightsOff...

    I've never used anything but water and soap.
     
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  15. Feb 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
    #15
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Damn y’all

    if you’re ever close to Houston TX

    My glass guy…..$175 installed
    Including the “discontinued” molding
     
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  16. Feb 18, 2025 at 3:47 AM
    #16
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 366k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    perhaps the next weeks vacation i can get for that price!
     
  17. Feb 18, 2025 at 8:49 AM
    #17
    Andy01DblCabTacoma

    Andy01DblCabTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Clay on the windshield ? lots glass cleaner as lubricant + fine grit steel wool. Dry and remove as much film residue as possible. Then rain-x. I do that once a year or when I replace my wipers.

    (saying the obvious part out loud) Don't use steel wool on tinted windows.
     
  18. Feb 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
    #18
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Since starting using these several years ago I got rid of leftover clay I had.
     
  19. Feb 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
    #19
    NmapFE

    NmapFE Well-Known Member

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    2014 DCLB 4x4 Limited. 6112’s/5125, KYB Top Hats, SPC UCA’s, Icon RXT leaf pack
    All clay bars are damn near identical and made by one of 3 companies.
     
  20. Feb 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
    #20
    4xdog

    4xdog Well-Known Member

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    Who are the three companies? I’m curious.

    I spent my life working adjacent to the clay industry and know lots of people in it, although I was on the polymer side (mainly in coatings) not the minerals side.

    But is a clay bar really made of clay these days? Certainly could be, but frankly I dunno .
     

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