Clay Bar

[muancho]

The clay bar remove the coat of the paint ? if i apply the bar more than one time it could make sands marks over the paint ?
what other problems could appears with this

[Forrest T.]

Clay does not remove paint, it simply removes contaminants embedded in/on the paint.

A lubricant is used to help the clay glide across the paint, preventing marking the paint.

Problems can come up from:

1) not using enough lubricant
2) using the wrong type of lubricant (like water - it's not slippery enough)
3) reusing the clay after dropping it on the ground (it can pick up dirt which would scratch the paint).

[Core]

How you can conserve the clay?

Does the clay is washable?

Or how i can conserve it to make more cars than 3 or 4.

[Forrest T.]

Core - you'd be doing your customers a disservice by using a clay bar too many times. As it picks up contaminants from the paint, it become less sticky, meaning you'd have to work longer to get the paint clean. And, as contaminants load up, you increase the rick of marring the paint.

Clay isn't washable - the contaminants are suspended it, and can't be removed. So, after it's served its purpose, pitch it and use a new one.

[Warren'74]

Originally Posted by muancho

The clay bar remove the coat of the paint ? if i apply the bar more than one time it could make sands marks over the paint ?
what other problems could appears with this

Core, where the heck do you get these ideas?? All this information has been covered time and again on this website. A little effort in searching and reading will answer all your question and more.

Im sorry if I seem hostile, but he has been here long enough to know this, and in fact, without going back, I think this has been covered in a previous core post.

[muancho]

Thanks ... Warren

other Question..

The use of the clay bar in other surfaces.. like the wind shield or any kind of glass , any limit for this?

[Forrest T.]

You can continue to use the clay on glass like you would paint - as it becomes contaminated, and loses its stickiness, you'll want to throw it out and use another. But yes, it works fine on glass.

[Warren'74]

I need to apoligize to Core for harping on him.

I didn't read the name of the poster, and confused Core with a new member (muancho). Im sorry about that.

Warren

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by Forrest T.

You can continue to use the clay on glass like you would paint - as it becomes contaminated, and loses its stickiness, you'll want to throw it out and use another. But yes, it works fine on glass.

Good idea, Forrest T. I defenetely will try it myself, and also on headlights and taillights.

[ianrayburn]

As far as number of times using a clay bar before you trash it, I would suggest that you use it no more than twice. I don't know how expensive they are in the U.S. but in Canada, Mother's clay goes for about $25.00. That works out to $12.50 a pop but it depends on how much you value the look of your ride. Just a thought.

[CowboyTruckn]

In the US they range from about 15 - 18 dollars. The only thing I wish is that they would sell it individually, without the wax and detailer. Don't quit selling the kit but make it available without the other products for the guys who use a different system like the 123 system or synwax. I do enjoy the detailer but I am stocked up from previous clays. Correct me if I am wrong but you can buy the detailer in a large refill by itself.

[TonyfromOz]

CowboyTruckn
I'm going to come in here and make some observations, and you may even think that I'm just repeating the Company line, but bear with me. Some of it might be common sense, and others logical even.
Some have cautioned me about my humour, and Bama has even mentioned that my philosophy may need some polish, but bear with me. It will unfold.

This is the one item from Mothers that has made me think laterally. It was the first item that was directly recommended by the store owner on how to proceed with my small problem of a year back. Surf. You'll find it.

Now that I have been learning, and sometimes contributing to the Mothers board, I am aware of just what it can do when used correctly.
Open your cupboard and look at all your Mothers products in their many forms, be they in the 'red bottles' or in any other form. Each of them has packaging, and on that packaging are instructions on how best to use that product. In nearly every case, the instructions differ. This is not the sole province of Mothers. Every product has instructions on how to use it. Be honest now. How many of you have read the instructions of evey product you've ever purchased.

The Clay Bar is a little different. Most of us are only aware of it from visits to detailing forums like this one, and possibly from recommendations from other users.
After using it yourself, you are immediately sold on it.

So, Mothers has a popular product that word of mouth has helped with.
To effectively look after their client base for this product and the growing number of new users they need to effectively inform them how bet to use it.

Other companies have their clay bars and they sell them as single units, the main thing here is that they sell them online, so the client buys the bar because he orders it that way.
Mothers sell their products in the main in the retail market, so they need their product to be correctly advertised with correct instructions as to how to use it, and this is how the original store owner who recommended it to me explained it.

Other clay manufacturers say that you can use a carwash soap mixture, and if they do it that way, then they must be happy with it.
Mothers however offer the lubricant, 'Showtime' as part of the whole package, and some say. Man all I want is the clay. Mothers however has to think of the other 99% who could possibly be first time users, and those of us others who know that whatever, you can never have enough Showtime, as I told our motorcycling friend a while back, Showtime being the product that I have purchased most since starting with Mothers.
Also, it might just be that we've inflicted this situation on ourselves.
Consider this.
William Shakespeare introduced a vast number of words into the English language, and along with his plethora of plays, also introduced phrases that have slipped into everyday use. One of them has been incorrectly attributed. It's from Henry VI, and someone, the butcher I think, asks a question as to what will be the first thing we do after the revolution. The reply is this.
'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.'
The sentiment, however witty is worth thought on numerous fronts.
If someone has a problem with the clay bar that has an adverse effect on their car's paint, they'll approach the retailer in an angry panic, and demand remediation, and the retailer will then look at the manufacturer for further restitution, all done through the legal system, and no one wins.
So, having said that Mothers puts their clay bar in a kit with the Showtime and the small bottle of Cleaner Wax for the first time user to use after claying his car, and the set of instructions, not as an outright legal precaution, but to see that the consumer gets the best advice possible on how to use the product.

See the point I'm trying to make here?

Next, you'll even mention that other M crowd and how it seems that they may have copied Mothers by putting their clay in a kit also.

Last thing.

Remove the clay from your kit and place it into the palm of your hand. Close your fingers. The clay has vanished.
If Mothers was just to sell the clay in a bar by itself, how many retailers do you think would stock the product.
Very few. You know why?
Shopstealers. The product is too small and is too easy a taget. So the retailers say give me this product but in a package that won't get 'lifted'.
Hence the Clay Bar Kit.

Online retailers can sell the bar alone, because it is a dedicated sale.

Long post I know, but it's something I've thought about and wanted to say, but never really had the opportunity.

And you know what? They are right. You can never have enough Showtime.

Tony.

[Bama]

Tony makes some valid points, and generally, I agree with him. I personally like the kit because "you can never have too much Showtime." Plus, the mini bottles of Cleaner Wax are handy around the house.

Now, the tangent that headed down the road of litigation, you lost me Tony. I don't believe that Mother's would have much, if any, liability for selling the clay alone along as it is accompained by instructions and is reasonably safe when used for its intended purpose by the consumer. Of course, this observation is only coming from one of those lawyers that has not been put to death yet. Ahh, Shakespeare...

[Mama's Boy]

Going along with Tony's comment on the shoplifting aspect, I've talked to a few people in the retailing business, and they have people "claim" their kits were missing the clay often enough that they've made it a policy to check the kits as they are sold. Even with a large box such as the Mothers kit, people will still open the box and steal the clay. Sad but true.

As to the little bottle of cleaner wax, I've started giving them as gifts to friends that haven't really gotten into detailing much. It's cute looking, and, if you apply it well, it can do a couple small cars. Then, once they are hooked, they can carry that bottle into the store and get the "right" one in the large size!

[TonyfromOz]

Bama, and everyone else as well.

Originally Posted by Bama

...... Ahh, Shakespeare...

Ahh! Tony!
See what happens when you don't read the instructions.
Step 1. Open mouth.
Step 2. Place foot inside.
Step 3. Disengage brain.
Step 4. Speak loudly so as to offend everyone.
Ahem, buddy!
Step 5. Remove foot.
Step 6. Look very sheepish and apologetic.

I humbly apologise.
See where all this thinking laterally gets me.
The point that I was trying to make so poorly was this.
The consumer, in most cases, and men most especially, tend not to read instructions on any packaging. So, if the clay was used in a way other than those instructions might suggest, then there is the possibility that the users car's paint might suffer, and the first person to blame is never the guy in the mirror, and that then, there might be the possibility of seeking restitution.

It might also seem that whatever I say might tend to create a larger hole than the one I am already speaking from.

So, Bama, and others I do apologise.

My good lady wife and I are spending ten days visiting with our dughter and her family in Rockhampton, 450 miles from our home, and access to the computer is sparing to say the least, and is also accomplished at dial up speed, agonisingly slow when compared to what I have become used to.

A couple of nights back our daughter had visitors over for four hours either side of a barbecue dinner, and they were from England. They made the observation that even though we spoke the same language, it was almost completely different. They said that we Australians were laconic in our attitude to life, as well as in the use of the language, and that when we said some things, the expression could be taken by the listener in a matter entirely different than the speaker said it in, if you get my point.
As a side light, they, as English people were always very conscious of not speaking in a matter that might be termed insulting, so they were always very cautious in their choice of words. The thing they found difficult to understand was this. No matter what they said, they felt that they could not insult Australians better than those Australians insult themselves. Here in Australia, we have a uniquely Australian term called, 'taking the pi*s' (slang for urine) It's a gentle, and acquired art of being disgustingly insulting, but in a tone of voice and a way of expressing it that no offence can be taken, and is treated more as humour than anything.
That was what the English couple could not understand.

That is one step towards understanding the Australian attitude. We live with it, and are used to it. The thing that I have to remember is this.
The vast majority of people who contribute to these Mothers Fora are Americans, so I have to engage a different thought process before actually writing something up.

Sometimes I forget.
Bama. This was one of those. I'm sorry mate.

Tony.

[Forrest T.]

Tony - life is good. I found nothing amiss with your post, and I doubt Bama did, either.

Bama - there are liabilities if a consumer uses a product in an improper manner. That's just the way our legal system is these days.

One point to remember - anyone can sue anyone else for any reason.

We have made a conscious decision not to sell clay by itself - there are various reasons.

Sorry, but that decision isn't going to change.

As much as I dislike saying it; if purchasing clay alone is that important to anyone, you'd be well advised to purchase it from another source because we won't sell it to you.

I happen to enjoy Tony's posts because his use of the English language is far superior to us Americans.

He has style and class.

Maybe I'll get some for my 50th b-day. There has to be a store somewhere on-line with i at a decent price.

Life is good - enjoy it.

[Bama]

Tony, you don't have to apologize. I was just kidding with you since you brought up the infamous "kill all the lawyers line." Plus, I was astonished to see a Shakespeare reference, in all places, on this forum. I enjoy your posts and your input. You bring a sense of civility to this neighborhood. We are all friends here, and a little kidding is status quo for friends.

[Forrest T.]

Not to mention all these years I thought Shakespeare just made fishing equipment.......

[TonyfromOz]

Gentlemen.

Reality checks seem to always come from differing directions.
Some come at me from across half a Continent and a whole Ocean.
Others come from the next room.

'Hey, Mum, where's Dad? I need him in the garden.'
'He's in front of the computer yakking with his car care friends.'
'Hey, Dad! Wot ya doin'?'
She then starts to read over my shoulder. Now late last year I was here and did some work on her cute little yellow toy car, and she was worried that the clay was going to 'destroy?' her Paint Protection Scheme, so I found out all I could and explained to her how the clay worked, what it did, and how nothing I could do with clay would 'destroy?' a 2 year old untreated PPS. So she knows about clay.
I carefully scrolled down as she read all the recent entries on this Thread.
At the end, she said 'Kewl. Intersting,' and walked out.
(From the next room.) 'Well dear!'
'Men! Only they could link clay, Shakespeare, and fishing equipment in the one sentence. All that was missing was beer and the TV remote.'

Sorry guys, I have to go now. I'm needed out in the garden, apparently.

Tony.