To me Claying is one of the most important steps in the car care process. The Clay will do a deep cleaning of the paint with its ability to safely remove Overspray, Rail Dust, Light Tree Sap Residue, Bug Splatter, Industrial Fallout and General Road Grime. Not only do they remove the surface contaminants but the added benefit is that your wax will form a much longer lasting bond with your paint after the surface has been cleaned with a clay bar. But what is a clay bar? It is similar in appearance to PlayDough. In fact, there are nearly as many colors of clay bars as there are of PlayDough. However, it's texture is close to Silly Putty. But it is NOT a toy! Clay Bars are serious business.

Considering the thinness of today's paints Professional Detailers and Body Shops often use clay bars in place of a rotary buffer to remove surface contaminants. Although it might be a minute stretch of the truth to say that clay bars don't contain abrasives they are generally considered to be safe on all painted surfaces, chrome, wheels and windows. Clay bars were originally were used in the early 1900's to remove overspray from automotive finishes during a rather crude period of car care in the automotive industry. Clay bars, back then, were rather unrefined when compared to today's synthetic clay bars. This unique "clay-like" surface cleaning material is specifically formulated to remove stubborn contaminants from the paint finish of automobiles that cannot be removed using regular cleaning methods and are easy to use, and most clay bars are safe for all paint finishes, including clear coats [see guide below]. It works best with a surface lubrication that is included with most retail packs. One 7oz clay bar will last an average of 25 cars.

Before beginning make sure

you have the following:

(Clay Bar and Lube) A Clay Bar System [see guide below]
(Towel) 100% Cotton Hand Size

Towel or a MicroFiber Towel (90,000 threads per square inch)
(Wrapper) Cellophane Cigarette Wrapper

In a

well-lit, cool and dry area:

Step 1: Check for Surface Contaminants.
Technique: With two

fingers inside the Wrapper gently glide it across the Surface. This will magnify any amount of Surface Contamination.

/>Tech Tip: Do not press down hard as you may free up some of the Surface Contaminants and scratch the Surface.

/>
Step 2: Break off a 2 oz. portion of the Clay Bar.
Technique: Break off a 2oz piece of the Clay

and roll it into a ball (store the remainder of the Clay in the container).
Tech Tip: If the Clay Bar is ever

dropped onto the floor discard IMMEDIATELY.

Step 3: Saturate the Surface with the Lube.

/>Technique: Mist the Lube onto the Surface.

Step 4: Rub the Clay Bar onto the Surface.

/>Technique: Firmly press the ball of the Clay Bar onto the Surface to mold it to the contour of the Surface. Rub the

Clay Bar on the Surface in a side-to-side motion with the Contour of the Panel.
Tech Tip: If the Surface begins

to show any signs of drying wet again with the Lube.

Step 5: Wipe the Surface with the Towel.

/>Technique: Do not press hard onto the Surface with the Towel as you may induce some light surface scratches.

/>Tech Tip As you move from panel to panel 'fold' the clay to a new section.

Step 6: Inspect

the Surface.
Technique: With the Wrapper inspect the Surface as in Step 1
Tech Tip: If the Surface

still has some roughness to it repeat Steps 2 through 5.

The Blue Clay Bar:


I recently tested 3M's and ClayMagic's clay bar and have the same one that is imported from Japan (even has the

same exact patent numbers on them, LOL). However, there is a tremdous price variation between the two with 3M's being

around $5.00 less. I have found the 3M one for around $18. My Rating: Very Good.

The Yellow Clay

Bar:
I recently tested Mother's, Zaino's and Zymol's clay bar and they appear to have the same exact one

(although there is no patent number, LOL). Mother's clay bar is available for is available for around $18 as well but

I was given my Zaino clay bar so I am not sure of the price. Zymol's clay bar is $80.80!! My Rating: Very

Good

The White Clay Bar:
I tested Meguiar's clay bar a years ago and was not at all impressed.

Meguiar's clay bar retails for $10. My Rating: Good

The Grey Clay Bar:
I recently tested

Lusso's clay bar and the quality appears to be right in line with the 3M, ClayMagic, Mother's and Zaino. Lusso's

clay bar retails for $14. My Rating: Very Good

The Red Clay Bar:
I have not recently tested

AutoMagic's red clay bar. It contains a mild abrasive. I would recommend that this bar only be used in a professional

bodyshop atmosphere. I will not give this product a rating.

hey explain the contents

of the "lube" is this just water?

Interesting, so how long will

it take to do a Contour assuming a zero skill level?
THX. ZZZ.

Detailing Dude -
I must

admit you grasp of this topic is awesome. I have detailed many cars in my day, although I do not own a shop - and have been

doing it for over 15 years. I consider myself "anal" about this stuff, but you might just have one up on me

Most of my work has been by referral, and I would put my work up against anyone - not tryin' to

be cocky, but I am very methodical.

Anyway, my question relates to the clay bar stuff you recently posted. I have

always used Meguiar's products in a combination with a Flex rotary polisher and manual application, but never tried a clay

bar. What advantages do you see in using the bar - and what determines when/if you would use the bar - as opposed to say a

cleaner with the polisher?

Also - it appears the Meguiar's bar did not perform as well as the others. Have you

tried it recently? - just curious I as am very fond of most of their products.

Anything you could add would be

appreciated. Thanks very much.

Jeff

The clay will make your finish

VERY smoooooooth!!!
I clayed my car for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was a night and day

difference. I thought the finish was smooth before, I was very wrong. The clay bar was picking 'stuff' off my paint

like crazy. Now it is so much easier to polish and wax! :woot

Wow.. I just "clayed" my car for the first time today and it's like night and day difference. After doing a small section on the roof of the car, I ran my fingertips across the clayed and un-clayed sections and noticed a huge difference. The un-clayed areas felt gritty. Once I get the wax on it tomorrow, I can't wait to see the shine!

If you haven't tried yet, CLAY YOUR CAR!

:biggrin: It IS like night and day, isn't it? The one downside I found is that now I can clearly see all the blemishes that were hidden before. The minor hail damage I have sticks out like a sore thumb. :cry: It's still better clayed than not! Just wait until you get a good synthetic wax on it. You hand will try to slide right off!