The detailing forums talk about them all the time. Except for a few skeptics, and a few basic precautions, hands-down, it's a no brainer and should be done routinely at least twice a year or when necessary.
YES...USE A CLAY BAR...you will love the results. Even if your car is a fair weather ride like mine, the air itself has toxicins and pollutants. Wash your car like normal, dry it, then rub a clay bar on it and the finish will surprise you. The clay bar gets all the impurities, pollutants and such out of the paint. The clay bar cleans your paint better then the off-the-shelf paint cleaners. The final result is both gorgeous to look at, and downright awesome to feel. You will not regret using a clay bar. Depending on how much your car is inthe weather, you should use a clay bar at the minimum of once a year, but I recomment 2-3 times per year.
Do a thorough wash on the whole car, including wheel wells and under bumpers -- anything your clay bar will get near.
First time clayers with moderate contaminants should expect at least 45 minutes on a Mustang... up to 1.5 hours. It seems after that initial claying, you can do it the next time in about a half hour if you don't let it go more than 6 months or so, and you keep your wax up.
I like to do the top parts first, and work down. I like the 80g Mothers clay and I don't break it up into smaller bits (in case I drop it) like some guys do as I just don't like to handle the smaller size, but then I don't remember dropping one either. I mold part of it so it fits in between a couple of fingers... sticks pretty good for me.
On recomendation of the guys in here, I went out and bought the Mother's clay bar kit. Just got finished clay barring my car. It certianly works. The finish is smoother to be sure. My paint wasn't too dirty, but I did get some stuff off. What came off was a reddish color (I have a teal 93 Cobra) so I don't really know what it was. It's really easy to use, and seems to work good. Now for some wax... Thanks guys!
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1993 Cobra teal, leather, Kenne Bell 2,1L @ 8psi, 90mm LMAF, 42# injectors, TwEECer RT, Hurst Billet SST Shifter, Max Motorsports Full Length sub frame connectors & K-member brace, 75mm Accufab throttle body.
On recomendation of the guys in here, I went out and bought the Mother's clay bar kit. Just got finished clay barring my car. It certianly works. The finish is smoother to be sure. My paint wasn't too dirty, but I did get some stuff off. What came off was a reddish color (I have a teal 93 Cobra) so I don't really know what it was. It's really easy to use, and seems to work good. Now for some wax... Thanks guys!
I used the Mothers clay a friend's charcoal gray/blue Mazda 3 sport sedan the other day and I got a reddish/brownish crud and claying made it very smooth. She also had stubborn water spots on her hood, and the included cleaner wax did an excellent job polishing them out.
Got the Meguire's clay bar kit and used it on Monday.
Wow! That activity is addictive. After running my hand over the paint pre-clay I thought "hey this is plenty smooth, this probably won't do much". Then I did a small area, and felt again. Ohhhhhhh, so THAT'S what CLEAN feels like.
So of course I couldn't stop with my car and while the carnuba wax was drying (came with the kit so I thought I would try it), I clayed my wife's black 98 Contour SVT. The shine really perked up.
I just bought my first clay bar kit. (Mothers) I didn't want to do anything wrong, so I researched it and found this info. This site has some awesome info! http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html
Just my opinion, check out Adams Polishes. A lot of good info, I have used his products since 2002 when I got my F-150 SuperCrew, she still looks awesome today after 5 years of good old New England Weather.
He is out of Cali. I mean I could go on for along time with this, I mean tech. support, videos, I mean everything including the kitchen sink. Just to let you all know I don't receive anything for writing this thread from Adams. It's just my personal opinion of his products, and I've experimented with all the major brands also. Thanks: Steve www.adamspolishes.com
Just remember when using a clay bar, it is a must to keep the surface lubricated. When I use Zaino products, I use 1/2 capful of car wash with 12 oz of water in a spray bottle. Works perfectly.
I just bought my first clay bar kit. (Mothers) I didn't want to do anything wrong, so I researched it and found this info. This site has some awesome info! http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html
Adams Polishes 
