In preperation for the arrival of my new car I have been doing some research and come to the conclusion that rather that have the dealer treat my car with AG Lifeshine for £350 or have the car detailed for £250-£350 that I would buy the required stuff and do it myself.

Anyway getting to the point, I received one of my orders today which included a clay bar and bearing in mind I have no 'Car Detailing' knowledge or experience whatsoever I was shocked at how small the clay bar was. I was expecting something around the size of a block of butter and not something the size of a Turkish Delight :confused:.

The product I bought was Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay Sampler which includes a 3 oz. bar of Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay and one 16 oz. bottle of Sonus Glyde Clay Lubricant.

Now I'm beginning to feel a little stupid here but is this the normal size for a clay bar? And how many would you normally use to clay one car?

Any help & advise appreciated

Atty

That's normal. And usually one bar for a car

3 oz = 85 grams. I got the Meguiars kit which comes with 2 x 50g clay bars. I did the whole of my parents' FILTHY Volvo V70 (estate) with one bar easilly and can still kneed it to find a clean surface.

Once you've heated it up a little in your hands and stretched and kneeded it to a flatter shape, you'll see you've got more than enough to work with. I'd probably cut a 3oz one in half.

Edited 25 August, 200916 yr by wega3k

1 bar is loads. I would advise cutting the bar into 2 if not 3, wrap the unused portions in cling film, If it is a reasonably new, new car and hasn't been sat out for too long to get loads of oxidised contaminants on then 1/3 will be plenty, knead the lump and have it flat in your palm, keep kneading and turning as you go round the car. If you drop the lump at any time best to throw it away, and another good reason not to use the whole bar in one lump

I thought the clay bar may of been small as the product is a sampler. Thanks for the quick respone everyone.

Why don't you just pay a PRO detailer or Baker21 to carry out a new car protection detail 1 day job?

Then spend a few quid on decent wash mits to keep it topped up.

Dave

I use 30 gram clay bar. But it depends on the dirt load, more dirt bigger clay...

If the car is brand new then you can expect little or no contamination on the paintwork so you won't need to use much of your clay............

As a rule on such Sonus Green Detailing Clay I will generally cut the bar into 3 parts and use one of those parts on the whole car.........

If the car is brand new then you can expect little or no contamination on the paintwork so you won't need to use much of your clay............

As a rule on such Sonus Green Detailing Clay I will generally cut the bar into 3 parts and use one of those parts on the whole car.........

Completely agree with the second part of your post, Sonus green is a gentle clay that you can't really go wrong with and I too cut the bar in to 3 and wrap the unused thirds in cling film whilst I get on and use the first part. Keep the clay well lubed, if you feel it dragging you need more lube. A handy tip: After you've washed and rinsed the car leave it wet as the water acts as a lube and then you can save on your proper lube. I've also heard good reports of the Bilt Hammer clay which uses water as the lube but I've never used it myself.

The first part however, I disagree with, new cars are covered in detritus and contamination from the factory, compound and transport stages so really do need claying ASAP. That is of course for those that have chosen the sensible option of not having the dealership apply supaguard or whatever is their flavour of the month.

Sorry to be pedantic but I'm just trying to help

if you feel it dragging you need more lube

said the actress to the vicar

Completely agree with the second part of your post, Sonus green is a gentle clay that you can't really go wrong with and I too cut the bar in to 3 and wrap the unused thirds in cling film whilst I get on and use the first part. Keep the clay well lubed, if you feel it dragging you need more lube. A handy tip: After you've washed and rinsed the car leave it wet as the water acts as a lube and then you can save on your proper lube. I've also heard good reports of the Bilt Hammer clay which uses water as the lube but I've never used it myself.

The first part however, I disagree with, new cars are covered in detritus and contamination from the factory, compound and transport stages so really do need claying ASAP. That is of course for those that have chosen the sensible option of not having the dealership apply supaguard or whatever is their flavour of the month.

Sorry to be pedantic but I'm just trying to help

Thanks for the feedback there but in terms of contamination the difference between a new car and a car that has been on the road is miles apart, the sort of contamination was what I was referring too as in the scheme of things most of what arrives on a brand new car comes of a lot easier than that of a car having been on the road for some time.............

Thanks for the feedback there but in terms of contamination the difference between a new car and a car that has been on the road is miles apart, the sort of contamination was what I was referring too as in the scheme of things most of what arrives on a brand new car comes of a lot easier than that of a car having been on the road for some time.............

Oh yeah, fully agree with that