quick answer needed: what's the biggest/best value for $ clay bar avail. in the US?

[RallyD]

factory paint jobs should absolutely be clayed.
most new cars are shipped by rail. trains have brakes, brakes kick off metallic dust at high temps. it melts into the clear and begins to rust. Mostly noticeable on light colored cars it is known as "rail dust"

just like sandpaper has different grades of abrasiveness, so does clay. There are two Clay Magics blue and red with red being more aggressive. I've got a super fine clay from Autopia.com that can barely take a bug off the surface.
I prefer Mothers because it is a nice compromise and does not become as sticky as others. I get the economy pack for about $25 with 3-80g bars and use dish soap+h2o as lube. Then i wash again to remove residue, and then a mild polish, finally hand applied sealant (or wax).

[Alexlind123]

By the way ALex.......your sig pic is the most beautiful image of a Fiver I can think of......and I don't usually like blues on cars ! I surely hope it made it into the calander that I didn't buy, but wish I had.
Vinny

Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment. I took the picture, and Jason Lau was kind enough to adjust it in photoshop to make it look nicer.

[CharlesAFerg]

factory paint jobs should absolutely be clayed.
most new cars are shipped by rail. trains have brakes, brakes kick off metallic dust at high temps. it melts into the clear and begins to rust. Mostly noticeable on light colored cars it is known as "rail dust"

just like sandpaper has different grades of abrasiveness, so does clay. There are two Clay Magics blue and red with red being more aggressive. I've got a super fine clay from Autopia.com that can barely take a bug off the surface.
I prefer Mothers because it is a nice compromise and does not become as sticky as others. I get the economy pack for about $25 with 3-80g bars and use dish soap+h2o as lube. Then i wash again to remove residue, and then a mild polish, finally hand applied sealant (or wax).

roflmao @ curious similarity to zaino claybar page :-D

[RallyD]

wtf is zaino

[Gayle]

By the way ALex.......your sig pic is the most beautiful image of a Fiver I can think of......and I don't usually like blues on cars ! I surely hope it made it into the calander that I didn't buy, but wish I had.
Vinny

Holy Sh*t. Did I miss a calendar? Or did you dream it Vinny.

If there isn't one, we should do one. We didn't do a virtual car show this year. How about a calendar? Anyone know a good printer?

And I agree, that shot of your car, Alex, should be in it.

[Booster]

It pulls contaminants out of the paint.

It basically "clicks off" any surface contanimants from organically locking to the paints surface.
Even the brakes from our cars are producing "rail dust". Which is more prominet in wet and salted environments where it sticks to the sides and rear most parts of the cars paint and trim.
Think of a dollop of chocolate...its shape anyway.......thats sort of what the contaminant looks like as rust or dirt begin to collect around it over time.
Also there is "iron fallout" more prevailant in cities with industry and smoke stacks etc.
But also.....our paints are subjected to semisolid liquids such as lawn chemicals,hard water,painters overspray,general crap in the air.
Right before you throw the old claybar away.....use it on the painted portions of your wheels....you'll be amazed how much junk was stuck on there !

Gayle.....there was some great shots on the 07' calendar over at the other forum.It was a voted event.
Looked nice from what I saw.
..........Vinny

[ryan roopnarine]

i didn't think the thread would get this long....i'll admit, my claying has something to do with possibly heading to chicago, if the hosts will tolerate me and my assaholia.

[dternst]

Clay Magic is you best bet.... $9.99 for teh bar and spray at your local PepBoys or AutoZone. You may also want to try any local paint and body stores. They may carry the bigger Clay Magic bars.