AfroCreame

I'am sure quite a few of you have clayed their cars, including myself but I have a quick question. My new RX8 is black, a color that I've never clayed before. Has anyone clayed a dark or black colored vehicle? I'am just worried about scratching the paint as it would be alot more noticable on a black compared to my previous cars. Any tips or suggestions? Also, they cars that I've done in the past were older...as in a year or more. Do you really pull much off of the RX8 as it still has a pretty fresh coat of paint? Thanks for any information that you can send me way. Oh yea...used to have a 350Z...got rid of it..now have an RX8...love it!

Hercules

To be frank, I clayed my car the day I got it and not a bit of crap came off of it. So if you want to avoid the step altogether it's probably not a *bad* idea, because you won't gain much from doing it.

However if you are wary of doing it, don't be.. it doesn't strip paint, just what's sitting on top. Make sure you don't drop it and keep it lubricated, and you'll be just fine.

I think if you wash it thoroughly, wax (or in my case, Zaino), and then protect the interior with some misc crap, then you will be a very happy camper in your black 8 Just like me!

Elara

I clayed my car last week, a month after I bought it. I couldn't believe the difference it made- the finish on the car was completely smooth, and the claybar was filthy. It can't hurt anything, if you do. Probably won't hurt if you don't either though. I am just paranoid about my paint, so I did.

As for tips, use TONS of whatever lubricant the directions recommend. And watch out for that clear shield stuff on the rear fenders- the claybar likes to get into the seam. Took me forever to get it out, but I didn't want a green car with a bright yellow line on the side.

loco4rx8

I second that!! It is a b*tch to get the clay out of the edges of that stuff.

By the way, I clayed my car two days after I bought it, and by and large, I didn't notice much coming off onto the clay. However, areas back behind the tires and the front end had already picked up some stuff.

The best thing is the car feels smooth as glass after you clay and wax or Zaino. Makes you feel real proud.

AfroCreame

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the input. I'll probably go ahead and clay the front, hood and fenders as I'am going to have a 3M expel clear bra installed on Tuesday. Figured I'd get rid of the contaminents before it's applied. Thanks!

klegg

Thank god I am not the only one! Still can not get it all out!

VelocityRedRX8

I routinely clayed my black BMW (which I traded on the RX8) with no ill effects. Worked great. Just remember to keep your car's surface and the clay's (and your hands) wet at all times. If you start to notice significant drag in the clay then wet everything down again. I use speed shine (Griot's) as my wetting agent. Works great. I also just finished claying my brand new red RX-8 and pulled off a large amount of crud/oxidation. It feels smooth as glass all over now.

Kap

I know a lot of people here use a clay bar on their cars. I've used 2 different brands myself, Mother's and Zaino Bros. What I'm wondering is how much of a difference have you guys experienced from brand to brand? I tried the Zaino Bros one as it came with their complete kit, but I found that it seemed to fall apart really quickly compared to the Mother's clay bar. Just wanted to get an idea on which clay bar performs the best?

6speed8

AfroCreame

when I clay bar (using Zano's) I just mix a strong solution of Zaino wash with some water in an empty zaino detail spray bottle. As I claybar, I rinse with water to keep the surface from drying and water helps lubricate. Just make sure you wash the car thoroughly before doing the clay bar, keep the surface 'lubricated' and dont use a lot of pressure, just let the clay bar 'glide' over the surface.

TDS

I did the Clay/Zanio treatment for the first time on my Nordic Green 8 last week. After 3 months driving in LA I didn't really see much "coming off" on the clay but the surface results were great! I am now a confirmed Zanio convert. For all the effort with "Dawn" and new towels etc., I think it's worth it.

VelocityRedRX8

Good advice 6speed8. I would not recommend using water as a wetting agent though, since clay will naturally repel it. You're better off using either a dilute detergent in water (like Dawn), or a hydrophobic cleaner, like Zaino detailer or Griot's speed shine.

6speed8

Yes, do not use the water as the sole lubricant, use the water to flush away what you clay. Use the water WITH the car wash mixture to keep it from drying. I use Zaino products so naturally Zaino car wash mixed with a little water and sprayed on is what I use for the 'lubricant'.