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Save That Old Clay Bar,...for Your Windows

G

got_change

GUEST
i got the mothers gold, wax kit, for my black av, and after using the clay bar, it was kinda scary to reuse it for the next wax job.

instead of throwing it out, i used it, along with the instant detailer spray, and worked my window glass with it, and no more spots, and it is...clear, now.

i did follow up, after the clay bar with a super clean rag, and this seemed like a good trick, for the window spots!
 
Steve from Zaino showed some us that trick.

he even took overspray off of the glass.

It just takes time.

I don't know how long it helps. I couldn't do that every time (esp. front and rear).

Glad you brought that up, because I don't think others knew about that and I actually forgot about that part of the demo. (if i had a spot problem I'd remember then).
 
Just a pointer guys if you ever wonder if you have overspray, the best harmless way to test is get a sandwich bag and run your fingers inside it across your paint, or windows. Overspray wont come back, it gets on there for many reasons (someone paiting is the main reason) Just use a cleaner like windex (without ammonia) and put a fresh coat of wax on it when your done.
 
AV-GARGOIL said:
Just a pointer guys if you ever wonder if you have overspray, the best harmless way to test is get a sandwich bag and run your fingers inside it across your paint, or windows. ?Overspray wont come back, it gets on there for many reasons (someone paiting is the main reason) ?Just use a cleaner like windex (without ammonia) and put a fresh coat of wax on it when your done.
Click to expand...
does the bag remove anything or is it for feel? I haven't heard of this.
 
The bag is just for a real sensitive feel, it will not take anything off. You can't always see or feel overspray with just your finger, so that is where the bag comes in.
 
Great idea. I wish I had thought of that before I tossed the one I dropped.
 
NExt time you clay.....cut the bar into smaller sizes about the size of a dollar coin......or for a mothers bar I would say 4 pieces...then clay and knead and clay.....when it gets loaded up I would pitch it in trash...and then grab another small piece....

This allows you to waste less clay and if you drop it on ground you do not waste entire bar......I use fresh clay on windows when I clay paint........Old clay is for garbage can for me........
 
ygmn said:
.......Old clay is for garbage can for me........
Click to expand...

Thankfully I had cut my bar up so I didn't drop the whole thing. Thanks for the advice on using clean ones for the glass. I feel better about having pitched mine now.

For the new folks on the board, YGMN is the CAFCNA detailing Guru. Glad to see you posting again!
 
I agree with YGMN, why risk scratching the windows? I work in a ship yard, overspray is daily. I too cut up the clay in smaller pieces. This also allows me to get under the roof rack. Takes me 5 hours to wash 2X, clay 2X then wax. Years ago, the answer was to buff it off. Nice how times have changed!
 
I intend to clay our Suburban tomorrow and had thought about claying the front window. Will have to give that a try.

Gary
 
hey guys, its not like i dropped my clay bar in the sand, and then went after my windows, with it.

i used it for 1 pass on the truck, and a few weeks later said to my self, I wonder what it would do on my windows, cause i know i'm not using it on my paint again!!!

another wierd thing, about the clay bar, was i had put it in a baggie, and they mated!! i had to chunk out the bits of the clay bar to get it off the baggie.

the clay did do a nice job on the overspray,on the windows, and i did not remember seeing anybody, mention using it on the glass.
 
got_change said:
....another wierd thing, about the clay bar, was i had put it in a baggie, and they mated!! i had to chunk out the bits of the clay bar to get it off the baggie......
Click to expand...

To avoid that, spray some of the quick detailer, speed shine, etc.. onto the clay before you drop it in the baggie.
 
Just browsing through the CAFCNA website and I came across this posted in the CAFCNA Magazine pertaining to the clay bar....I hope it helps shed some light...

Home > Fun Stuff > CAFCNA Magazine - May 2002 > Page 1

Protecting The Paint On Your Avalanche
Discuss this story

Last issue we cleaned the Avalanche so now we are ready to care for the paint. Paint preparation is the key here. We need to examine the paint and look for problems before applying our wax or sealant.

Contaminates

We need to examine the paint for contaminates which can be metal dust from rail transit, brake dust or industrial fall out. Contaminates will make the paint rough and allow the environment to attack your paint. To check for contaminates examine the paint for little specs about the size of a period and feel for them with your fingers in a plastic baggie, which increases your sense of touch. The paint should feel smooth, if the paint feels bumpy then you have contaminates.


 
Hey who wrote that in the magazine ;D
 
Ok, all bear with me, the AV is only the second vehicle that I gave a rats a$$ about and the first I've detailed regularly.

Is over spray paint or is it the little water rings after the wash or something completely different. Who do I prevent it?

First wash the dry the clay then wax? In that order? I am interested in trying what ever you all suggest just want they AV to shine ;D

Thanks for your help
dday
 
d-day, i'm here checking up on my old post, i started

and my av bro, i only speak from what has happened to,me, owning a black av.

if i wash, and dont dry, i get a case of the spots. if i go thru the chamois trip, it takes a long time. so i switched to the california water blade, sguegee wiper to wipe off the water, after every wash job, and it is a lot faster!!


everycouple of months, i get the mothers gold wax kit, that gives a clay bar, and i only use the clay the one time, and instead of throwing the clay out, i tried it on the windows, and it gets rid of all the spots.

so av bro, dry your av after washing, and the quick way is to use the water blade, on windows, and body when you have the leftover clay bar, dress out the windows every now and then!!

use clean rags, and keep it nice, cause you and me just love our av!!
 
well you guys, avrs, its been over two months since anybody mentioned using the clay bar on their windows

i have done it twice since then once about 6 weeks ago, and then tonight.

i can tell each and every one of you that my windows are so clear, no water spots, and the wipers float over the clay bar, with instant detailer so fine, its like rainx, without the streaks,

so if you dont try it thats ok, and i,m still using the hunk of clay, only for the windows. that i started out with.

so try it or don,t, and i,m keeping this thread alive just to remind my self, to clay bar my windows, for 5- 10 minutes, every month or so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

got change, still on the roll at 30567 miles
 
I've had water spots on the windshield of my boat since I got it in '94. Tried the clay on it.

Clear as new now. :)

NO more spots.... Thanks for the tip.
 
hey orboater, so you did try the clay on the windows!!!

hope you have had a good summer, and have been boating a bunch, your picture with that big boat behind the av is a mindblower!!

we need a new home computer, so once in a while, i,ll sneak a post from work!!!
 
the used clay bar on the glass sounds great/ One thing I do one a month is use supe fine steel wool on the glass after to washing, this in effect polishes the glass. Glass can be treated/coated afterwards. :2:
 
Here comes my first dumb question in a while, well on this board anyway....

I've tried claying the rear window. I've taken it out used the spray and clay bar rubbing it across the glass.
It still has the water spots. :E: I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or not doing it long enough. :D: (Wow, don't take that out of context!)

Thanks for your help in advance!
 
Sorry for the rushed reply, I am at work right now.

Here is the proof read version...

The used clay bar on the glass sounds great. One thing I do once a month is use super fine steel wool on the glass after to washing, this in effect polishes the glass. Glass can be treated/coated afterwards.

I have had no problems scratching the glass.
 
Clay will not remove water spots.................

Water spots are the minerals burned onto the surface by the water drop evaporating.....

To remove these minerals ....try soaking in vinager.....and cleaning.......if all else fails resort to abrasives.........0000 steel wool....(not on inside)....or paint cleaners etc
 
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