Meguiars Clay Kit

image host
I had heard before of claybaring car paintwork. Sounded like something that should be undertaken by professional valeters or undertakers as they need to have very presentable cars to see people off. I took a look on youtube a found a few videos on the topic. It took me by surprise how easy it was and no buffing machine is necessary. I purchased mine from Halfords and it is a box consisting of a detailer spray, 2 wrapped claybars, 1 or 2 microfiber cloths, and small bottle of wax. Way to use the product is to wash and dry the car. Then a panel at a time spray on the detailer which acts as a lubricant. Knead out the clay which is more like the consistency of plastercine or blutack than clay. I found while kneading the clay it took out the unseen contaminates from the skin so I re-kneaded until it cleaned my skin which came up baby soft. Then I ran the claybar along the surface with the lube. You can hear and feel the bar free up as it removes the ingrained contaminates. It felt like my hand then went on a slippery ice dance on the section of paintwork that I was working on. This could cause the bar to slip from the hand and onto the ground. In that case it's generally game over for the bar. But what I did do was to cut out and remove the gritted section from the floor. It worked fine for me, but I must stress it is up to you to evaluate the bar to see if it is worth keeping after dropping or better to be on the safe side and bin it and open a fresh bar. After baring a panel I then dried the area with the microfiber cloth. The feel of the paintwork is astonishing and I've not had my paintwork feel like that before. It becomes a bit of an addiction to keep touching the glass like smoothness, but I soon quit the caressing of the car before I get some odd looks from people. If they haven't already done so. I also learned you can use the bar on all the glass windows which does obliterate water spots. So from start to finish my car took me in all about 3 hours to clay bar and then there is the wax to apply so allow extra time for that. The wax provided in the kit I didn't use as I had already old stuff opened and would rather use that up first so unable to comment on their wax, but I think they are all much of a muchness anyway. All in all if nothing else i shed a few pounds in weight and in cash doing this.

My verdict

The Good
I found it worth while doing and could see the bar collect the gunk off the car that I never realized existed especially on the car roof. But the payoff is how the cars paintwork felt so silky afterwards, which also in turn makes dust less likely to stick to the car so easily. And when it rains, a lot of the dirt washes off, and it beads up even more impressively than just wax and polish alone. How this compares to other claybar's is anyone's guess as I have nothing to compare it to, as it's the only one I've had the privilege of using so far so read into it what you will.

The Bad
The price is quite hefty, even if you by the kit it still works out costly. So you must way up, if you want a take away meal and drinks or a really clean car you can't eat, so it's really your call. If your car looks already shiny like so many on here like kiwi Scott then you will visually not see much difference if any, as it is the touch of the paintwork afterwards were it counts.

nice write up mate

I'll hafta try this clay kit, paints looking a bit drab lately. I know Maguiars Ultimate Compound works amazingly, so I don't doubt this stuff either. You got any before and after pics?

I've never heard anything but praise about the Meguiars brand!

You should do some before/after pics Aaron!

Yeah, it's like $20 at the local Walmart, I'll see if I can get it soon enough and show some pics