Review: Meguiar's Clay Bar Kit

[alquimista]

Hello to everyone. I just cleaned by car today and went ahead and try for the first time the Ice clay bar by Turtle. It was a lot of work. Between washing the car and using the bar I spend around 3 hrs. It was a lot of work but again...it was my first time. By the time i finished I was so drained I couldn't wax it the same day. So I am planning to wax my baby beetle tomorrow with the Ice wax paste. I have used the liquid one on my Jeep Wrangler and honestly I have no complaints; it's the best wax I have ever used. Now, since my NB have some tiny paint issues, I am going to try the paste looking to have the same or better results....let's see. I will post some picts tomorrow.


FYI: NEVER.....NEVER....NEVER use dish detergent and even less if it has bleach....please!!!

[orionredwing]

Nice review. Did you find that the clay bar tends to break apart after awhile due to the lubricant? If not, it may have been the Mother's brand I was thinking of.

Tip: Remember to use lots of lubricant w/ almost no pressure sliding across the surface (or you may swirl your car)! If the bar catches, then you most likely did not use enough lubricant.

Did I say, use lots of lubricant?

[Zippy98]

I've been dying to try this for ages, but I'm afraid I'll do it wrong and ruin the paint. I have lots of swirl marks in the clearcoat (from what, I don't know, they were there when I bought the car) and discolored spots where bumper stickers used to be. After all the raves, I'm more inclined to try it - but I'm still really afraid! I am a total newb at this!

[AlienBug2000]

Just do it. When you're done, you'll wonder what you were so scared of. The ONLY way you'll mar your paint is if you drop it on the ground. But that's why there's two bars in the package.

Also, paint swirls will not be removed by claying. You'll need something like Swirl-x for that.

[Candyman]

What everybody said is true!!! Today was the firs time my 2001 ever got clayed. The paint looks new and smooth. Evertime I go out to my car I just have to touch it! I recomed this product for anyone. Especially if you have a newer car. It might look good when you wash it, like mine did, but there is still gunk on it. Just feel your paint with the back side of your hand. If it doesnt feel like glass you need to clay it. It doesnt take to long for a bug. It took me probablly 3 hrs from start wash to finish wax.

[branvan]

In celebration of my car being officially paid for as of this month (YAY!!!!!!!), I decided to give him a nice, complete home detail.

I must admit that I've been SUPER busy this winter, and frankly, the car hasn't been cleaned in any way beyond pulling the fast food bags out and throwing them into the trash since around October. Needless to say, the car was pretty trashed. In addition, this was our first Chicago winter so there was a lot more salt and general grime than I was used to for a spring cleanup.

I had always wanted to try using the clay bar, but was always a little afraid to. After reading this, I decided I would go ahead and try it since I had only about six months' worth of crud to cut through. So, I bought the Meguiar's kit and followed the instructions here, then followed with a coat of Meguiar's Gold Class wax - and I agree completely, WOW!

I still wonder what that mostly rusty-looking gunk that the clay pulled off is?

I know without a doubt that my car has never looked this good since I've owned it (it's a 2001 and I bought in early 2007). I will try to take some pictures to show how good almost 10-year-old paint that has never been garaged can still look!

The only down side to all this is that I discovered during this detail that I've got the beginnings of clear coat peeling on the rear bumper - hopefully it will hold out a few more years before we need a re-paint or a new car

[branvan]

Originally Posted by branvan

I know without a doubt that my car has never looked this good since I've owned it (it's a 2001 and I bought in early 2007). I will try to take some pictures to show how good almost 10-year-old paint that has never been garaged can still look!

New pics here:

branvan's 2001 GLS 2.0

[Downtown Turbo]

Originally Posted by AlienBug2000

I don't know if I like the Meguiar's or the Mothers clay bar better. I've used both and I tend to alternate. The Megs has a soapdish to keep your clays from drying out, but the Mothers clay just seems nicer. It's bigger and softer and seems to pull more gunk out.

I used the Meguiar's but put the used bar in a ziplock bag after to prevent it from drying out.