Clay bars are a favorite among detailers. However, using a clay bar requires specific techniques to avoid damage to your paint. In this post, we’ll share what you need to do before using a clay bar and explain how to safely clean your car’s paint.
To safely use a clay bar on your vehicle: Ensure the surface of your car is clean, mold your clay into a small square, spray a clay lubricant or quick detailer onto the paint, lightly glide the clay over the area – folding dirty clay areas inward as you go – and finish by toweling off excess spray with a microfiber towel.
Despite the steps claying requires, it’s beginner friendly! You can thoroughly clay your car’s body and paint in about an hour.
Ensure the surface of your car is clean
Before using clay, wash your vehicle to ensure the surface of your paint is clear of all dirt and debris. Detailing clay is sticky and grabs and drags anything lingering on a car’s finish. Cinders, dirt, or pollen could easily scratch your paint. If you haven’t done so, conduct a thorough wash followed by drying with a microfiber towel. Never clay a dirty vehicle!
Mold your clay into a small square
Remove your detailing clay from its packaging and separate it into equal halves or quarters, depending on how much you need. Store unused clay within its sealed container, and place it in a shady area to ensure it won’t lose moisture and dry out.
Using the warmth of your hand, mold the clay into a flattened rectangular patch. You’ll want to create a shape that fits the area between your pointer, middle, and index finger.
Spray a clay lubricant or quick detailer onto the paint
Lubricants are necessary when using detail clay. If you don’t have a clay lubricant, you can use a quick detailer to help provide the required slickness. These products help the clay bar glide over your paintwork, lessening the risk of sticking and marring your finish.
We recommend working from top to bottom, moving along your vehicle from left to right. Spray your quick detailer or clay lubricant horizontally across the body panel.
Lightly glide the clay over the area, folding dirty clay areas inward as you go
Lightly glide the clay over your paint using a back-and-forth side-to-side motion. Avoid excessive pressure; the detailing clay will do most of the work for you. If the clay isn’t gliding effortlessly, you can apply additional lubricant.
As you go, you’ll notice the face of the clay picking up dust, dirt, and other debris. Once it becomes too dirty, fold the clay over itself and flatten it. Doing so ensures you won’t drag dirt, dust, pollen, or other debris over your paint.
After a while, you’ll find that repeating the clay fold won’t provide a fresh face to use. Once this happens, discard your used cleaning clay and retrieve a new piece from your container.
Repeat this process until the entire exterior is clean.
Finish by toweling off excess spray with a microfiber towel
Finish off by toweling excess clay lubricant or quick detailer with a microfiber towel to prevent spots and streaks. Work from the top and towel your way to the bottom, ensuring the entire exterior is wiped clean.
And that’s it! Claying requires a clean surface and careful technique, but it’s an effective way to clear any debris from your paint.
Benefits to claying
Besides removing standard debris, claying offers several little-known benefits. Each can improve your car’s appearance while helping you maintain your vehicle’s value and protect it from contaminants.
Restores a silky smooth, clean exterior
Airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust, and polluted air or precipitation can cause an exterior to have an irregular surface that feels rough or bumpy to the touch. Claying your car will remove this stubborn debris and restore your auto’s smooth finish.
Makes polishing easier
Claying a car is a tremendous help in professional-grade detailing, and clay will remove most debris that can scratch or mar your exterior. If you’re using a polisher, you’ll want to get familiar with clay.
Helps waxes and paint sealants adhere better
Detailing clay helps restore paint to its thoroughly-cleaned form, allowing maximum bonding between the paint and protective products. How well a surface is prepared before applying a wax or sealant is a significant factor in how long protection will last. Both waxes and sealants are optimized to adhere to car paint, not layers of dirt or grime.
Clay the dirt away!
Once you’ve clay-ed the dirt away, consider applying a protective product to shield your smooth finish. You can read more about waxes and sealants here.
Detailing clay has become a favorite for car enthusiasts everywhere – and it’s no secret why. While claying your vehicle requires proper technique, its benefits are significant. Follow these steps to clay safely: Ensure the surface of your car is clean, mold your clay into a small square, spray a clay lubricant or quick detailer onto the paint, lightly glide the clay over the area – folding dirty clay areas inward as you go – and finish by toweling off excess spray with a microfiber towel. Enjoying a smooth, debris-free factory finish takes just a few steps. Enjoy your finish, and enjoy the ride!
