Tried the "hand in the plastic sandwich bag & gently stroke the paint with finger tips" test on my new 350 - I was SHOCKED by
the amount of grit that I felt. I then tried it on my wife's '96 Mazda that I had recently waxed - it was 10X worse - felt like sand paper. Time to clay bar both, practicing on the Mazda first,
of course.

Question 1: Where can I buy the individual clay bars? I picked up a Mother's kit that contains one 3 oz. bar, the lube spray, and cleaner/wax for $16, but need to buy just the bars.

properautocare.com has polymer clay bars for $30 (three 2 oz. bars = $5 /oz.), which is steep. Pepboys told me they were going to get individual Mother's Clay Bars, but I haven't seen them yet. Any other Auto Parts Stores have them?

Questin 2: Can I use the Craft Store polymer clay bars? Are they the same stuff? Seen them advertised for $2.99 for 12 oz. ($0.25 per oz.) or 1/20 the cost. Probably will pick one up and practice on the "grocery-getter" ('88 Camry), if I can find a spot that still has paint on it.

 

You don't use the whole bar for one car, just tear off a section, and use it for the car. In fact, since the Z doesnt have THAT much gunk on it, you could probably re-use that peice.

No, the craft clay is different...but yes similar, but it doesnt work as well, someone tried once.

 

I definitely recommend using a claybar, I use one on my SE-R twice a month. It's worth it when you get that nice smoothness on the finish.

 

Twice a month? That means you have to re-wax at least that often then right?

 

The paint on my SE-R is not the best--actually it's quite thin, so I have to condition the paint often to preserve it.

 

Claying the paint twice a month is a very bad idea. You should be soing it twice a year.

 

Found a 200g bar (Clay Magic) for $25.50
Works out to be a little over $3 per oz.
Not cheap, but better than $5 per oz.
Still plan trying the Craft Shop $0.25 per oz clay bar on my beater.

 

http://www.premiumautocare.com/claymagblufi.html

 

just a quick question. after i put on about 5 coats of z2 and z5, and if i want to reclay my car, does that mean all the previous coats will be washed away in the process?

 

Griot's Garage also sells just the bar. I believe it's a 5-6 oz. bar for $20. They don't show it on their website though only the catalog.

 

Claying that many layers of poly may not remove it all, but just to be sure, after claying, put on onther coat of Z2