Clay bar, etc.
 

Does using clay bar on the finish ruin the clearcoat or strip it?
I want to detail my car but one of my buddies thinks the clay bar will remove the clearcoat too. Is this true? or is the bar safe?

Also what is a good product to use on the body to remove swirlmarks in the surface? I do not have a buffer, so I was going to do it by hand, but not sure what to use yet.

Thanks

Put underneath it the type of Nylon which is used to wrap food with... It may stick to the clearcoat but I doubt it will cause any damage..

So you are saying not to actually let the clay bar touch the clearcoat surface itself.

Well it's better no to, use that thin Nylon I told you about... Got it???
It is used in Friges to cover food with. ;)

Got it....I shall give it a try....I think I'll buy the bar this weekend :)

Putting the nylon under it completely negates the point of using the clay.

It's theoretically SUPER-fine sand paper, just enough to remove embedded crap in the paint.

It will not ruin the clear coat unless you do it with no lube. As long as you keep the area you're claying soaked (i just use the soapy water from washing the car), and you dont rub one spot like 500 times, you pretty much cannot damage anything.

Will I know by the feel of it while rubbing as it is wet when it's smooth. Do I need a little elbow grease or should I just lightly rub the area? I'm not sure, I never tried this method

Don't use pressure, just float the clay over the wet surface. You'll feel and sometimes hear a change in the gliding.

i was thinking about doing this, and this is the method i had been described as well. The clay bar will do all the work where it is needed.
phil

Okay I can picture what you are saying....does it need to be really soapy water or just a wet surface?....and wet as in soaked with the water constantly running on it or just a beaded up surface?...sorry for all the ?'s :D

Here is the link to the clay bar instruction video by Mother's. I use their products a lot and their clay bar is very easy to use. Use Mother's Showtime® or Meguiar's Quik Detailer® as a lubricant.

http://www.mothers.com/reelworld/mothersclay.html

,

Let me know if this works for ya....

Dont waste money on using the QD as a lube...just use soapy water, and make sure it is always wet. If you feel the bar start to stick, you're way too dry. :p

You have plenty of advice on using a clay bar, so let me address your other question about removing swirls. You mention surface swirls, so I assume you have no swirls in the paint itself, which would mean sanding and refinishing to remove. For surface swirls, let me recommend Meguiar's Scratch X. I have found Meguiar's products to be safe and effective if used according to their directions. It is safe for clear coats and it does the job it says it will do.
Preston

Easiest way to get the work done, get in good with a local detailer. I have a local guy that does clay bar, polish, and paint sealer. The car looks great after. Its been a couple months since he's done it, I'm going to have him hit it up one more time before the up coming show.