Just bought the Mother's clay bar and plan to do detailing this weekend. Got several questions that I definetely want to get clarified before using the clay bar on the baby:

I've got a 2003 TL-S around March, and washed the car about every two weeks. Three weeks ago I got the Zymol wax from Costco and thought the result was satisfying, but still has room for improving. Anyway here goes:

1. How often should we use the clay bar on the whole car? Say if I plan to wax, then should I apply clay bar?
2. Say if I got tars on the paint, could I just simply apply the clay bar right away before even washing?
3. The clay bar is about the size of a soap, then how many times could be used? The instruction says 3 times, but I really doubt it. I've read a post that some guy would cut one into smaller pieces and one at a time, is it easier by doing that? Then how about the size to be cut?
4. What if the clay bar is really used up, is there any place to get a replaced one (say re-fill)?

I know Zaino is really popular for detailing, but I still want to try on the combination of Zymol/Mother's clay bar first. However, without knowing how to do it right I would be more hesitant of doing it. Anyway, please forward your experience/inputs. Thanks!

 

1. I'm in the same situation, here's what I am going to do. I am going to clay the whole car (most of it anyway) once then wax it and inspect the surface every few months and touch up as needed. I'm planning a full claying at least once a year. You don't want or need to use the clay bar every time you wax.

2. I would just clean the tar off with tar remover then wipe down the area with a wet rag and wax that area the next time you wash it. Never use the clay bar on anything but a freshly washed car.

3. Not sure about this one, I've used mine at least three times and it is still clean and works well. I will keep an eye on it and repace it soon, they're cheap.

4. I have not found a place to buy just the bar, so for 20 beans I'll just buy the whole kit again


I have not seen the Zymol at Costco but if it is anything like the Zymol they sell at Target it isn't worth a $hit and will need to be re-applied in a few weeks. There are two types of Zymol, the good stuff costs about $50 for a very small amount.

 

I recently clayed and waxed my car as well and I followed the recommendations posted on A-TL and A-CL. But to answer your questions:

1) I believe you should clay your car about once a year! Claying helps make the surface as smooth as possible, giving the wax an even surface to bond to.

2) If you have tar try to get a bug and tar remover and see if that helps.

3) I used one entire bar for the car. I broke the bar into 4 even sections; hood, roof, trunk, and sides. That way I always have a fresh piece when I'm starting a new area.

4) I have yet to find a store that sells the clay bar separately, its usually part of a kit. But I'm sure there has to be a place online that sells it standalone!!

I hope that helped! Let us know how it works out for u!

-Rich

 

Here are a few pics of the detailing job I did!

Hood:
http://home.nyc.rr.com/tltypes/waxed/wax%20hood.jpg

Trunk:
http://home.nyc.rr.com/tltypes/waxed/wax%20trunk.jpg

Sides:
http://home.nyc.rr.com/tltypes/waxed/wax%20left.jpg

http://home.nyc.rr.com/tltypes/waxed/wax%20right.jpg

Forgive the darkness, flash isn't working on camera so it seems a bit dull!! I tried to take the pic at an angle that captures the most detail, but you get the idea.

-Rich

 

First of all, thanks for the input, guys. The clay bar really did perform what it's supposed to be. Now the surface is ALMOST as smooth as silk! I glided my hand on the applied area and it felt like as no friction at all!:wow: On top of that, I tested on the front bumper for a bit and it still worked, which surprised me since I thought it's only applicable on metal/paint area. Maybe later on I will try on both bumpers then.

BTW, Rich, your detailing looks sweet... I can't wait to look at my job under the sun, since I spent 5 hours washing/detailing/waxing. By the time I finished it's already 8:30PM

 

You can order only clay bar with out adding Mothers polish from Zaniobros.com.