Mothers California Gold Clay
Bar System is the best value clay kit in the industry, but it's not for
everyone.
Product review by Terry Freiberg
Clay bars are well know to detailers,
body shops and enthusiasts but are still a mystery to many people new to car
care, Developed in Japan in the early 1990's, these soap-sized bars remove brake
dust particles, tree sap, overspray and airborne pollution without abrasive
polishing. Used with a lubricant, these bars "pull" contamination off the
surface of the paint without harming the top clear coat.
The two questions we are asked most is what
is "paint contamination" and is it on my vehicle? In answer to the first
question, every time you brake, heated brake dust particles from your car's
brake pads are flung into the atmosphere. Most of it lands on your car's wheels
but some is lifted by traffic generated air currents and lands on passing cars.
Rail dust, the fine dust generated by train wheels on steel tracks, is another
form of paint contamination. These heated particles embed themselves in your
car's finish. They can not be removed by routine washing, polishing or waxing.
Likewise, there is no wax or sealant that can protect against these heated
metallic particles. If not removed, these particles can lead to tiny rust spots.
Testing for paint contamination is
easy. Wash and dry your vehicle. Now place your hand in a plastic sandwich bag
and lightly run your fingertips over your car's paint. It should be as smooth as
glass. If it is gritty, like sandpaper, you have some form of paint
contamination on your car's finish which should be removed before you wax it.
| Mothers California Gold Clay Bar
System contains everything you need to remove these embedded grains of
metal, tree sap and other airborne particles without abrasive polishing.
Mothers
kit includes two (2) 60 gram bars of clear coat safe clay ( each enough to clean at least 4
cars), 16 oz of Instant Detailer which is used as a lubricant and a 15 x 15 inch
Microfiber buffing cloth. |
 |
The actual application is a breeze.
Just mist a small area (two square ft or so) of paint with lubricant, form the
clay into a hamburg-like patty and move it over the finish. It will grab at
first and then move freely. When it moves freely, you're done.
At about half the price of many clay
bar kits this is without question the best value in a clay bar kit in the
industry but it's not for everyone. The fine grade of clay Mothers is using will
easily remove light contamination on newer vehicles but don't expect it to make
your twelve year old car's paint glass-like. If your car is one to three years
old and you find evidence of paint contamination, Mothers California Gold Clay
Bar System will quickly and easily remove the embedded particles and create a
smooth-as-glass finish ready for your favorite wax or sealant. If your car
is older with severe contamination (the finish feels like stones and boulders on
the paint) spend the extra bucks and invest in one of the newer PolyClay bars
and use a lubricant specifically designed for use with clay bars.
Needless to say, a clay bar will remove
any wax or sealant on the vehicle. After using a clay bar, I like to wash and
dry the car again to remove any residues and then apply a wax or sealant. If you
don't want to take the time to wash the car again, I would at least mist and
wipe the finish with a quick detail spray (or clay lubricant) before waxing.
|