Is clay-bar really worth it?

Gary04GT · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:46 pm Post subject: Is clay-bar really worth it?

After months thinking about giving my car the "clay treatment" I finally did it a couple days ago. 8O Anyway, I really didn't think I could get the shine much better than it already was but with all the "hype about clay" thought I had better give it a try. It really wasn't as bad as I had expected but I did the BIG "NO-NO" twice--dropped the clay on the garage floor!!! Embarassed

Anyway, it's done--my Cruiser has been clayed! Smile

Can any of you tell the difference from "before clay" and "after clay" from the two PICS below? One was taken last summer and the other was taken today (after clay bar treatment and application of Perfect Auto Finish Ultimate Paint Sealant).

PIC #1

PIC#2

So, is it PIC #1 OR #2 that has the clay-bar treatment? You decide. Wink

I'll post the correct answer tomorrow evening. Razz

PS: This is an unscientific poll, however, I was curious if
SuGamer (who clays his car at least monthly) can tell any real difference. Wink

Bosch · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:54 pm Post subject:

Gary claybar is totally worth it.. I don't think it helps make the paint more shiny.. But it makes it smoother which in turn helps all the products you put on it work better. Then it gets more shiny.. Cool

Tip for next time Gary.. Cut the bar in pieces.. That way if you drop just leave it grab a new chunk..

Note to self, next time I detail, claybar.. Been over six months.. Embarassed

TurboCruiser13 · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:01 pm Post subject:

I'm gonna go on a limb and say pic 2 is after claybar. Seems like there's more detail in the trees in the reflection on your roof, and the one tree right at the very front of your visor looks to have grown some in the last year up towards the top branches Wink

SuGamer · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: Is clay-bar really worth it?

Mike-in-Orange · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:17 pm Post subject:

ptcb · PTcrewnie Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 448

My vote is #2 is the newest job with the clay. Gosh, not only does your car look great (as always), but you really are obsessive, arent you? I mean, the car's almost parked in the exact same location and pic is almost exact same angle, from a year past??? Then again, maybe that's why I'm having trouble telling which pic is the REAL clay.... laughing

Qman · Donor Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 631

>Can any of you tell the difference from "before clay" and "after clay" from the two PICS below?

Nope, but if I had to guess I would say pic #1. Wink

Later,
Qman...

turbomangt · PTcrewnie Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 340

Gary, just like several people here posted, you can't tell if the car has been clay from a picture. The other thing to note is the fact you keep you car in pristine condition. Which means you don't let many suface contaminants build up on the finish. It is still a prodecure you should include in a complete detail twice a year. Gary

QuicksilverDon · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:41 am Post subject:

I never "clayed" before my PT, but read of it on forums and gave it a try and am convinced.
I vote for pic # 2.

snittykitty · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:11 am Post subject:

In my experience, the difference the clay bar made directly after clay bar (and before any additional steps were taken) was one I could feel, not see. I couldn't see a difference in the finish of the paint but if I ran my hand over the paint the surface was completely smooth and there was no graininess to the surface at all (as there was before clay bar application.) It was enough to sell Mike on the clay bar's goodness. Which, now that I think about it, means I'll have to clay his car too.

Crap.

Gary04GT · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:29 am Post subject:

Some interesting reponses so far. Cool

Wonder if I should extend the "deadline" for posting in order to give more people the opportunity to look closely at the two PICS and post their "vote"? Confused

QuicksilverDon · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:07 am Post subject:

ptcb · PTcrewnie Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 448

2step · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject:

I can't tell from the photos. 8O

I'm really going to go out on a limb, here.
I'll say, "Paint contamination, bad. Clay bar, good". Razz

TomsCruise · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

I have clayed my car and my wife's car. Both PT's! Judging only from the pics I would say 2 but I will vote 1 because most everyone else said 2. By the way after claying my wife's PT and using Gary's wonderful stuff we went to church. My wife gets out and puts her latte on the roof to get stuff out of the car and you know what happened. The latte slid off the roof and onto her lap. Sucked the Christian right out of her. laughing