Detailing Blog: The Clay Bar
Courtesy of Detailed Image
There seems to be some general confusion on the subject of the clay bar and what it actually does and is used for. I get asked fairly often, when in the detailing process does a clay bar get used, and what results does it achieve? In order to understand how the clay bar works, you’ll have to look at your paint from a cross cut view. Ideally, the paint is smooth like glass so that it reflects light as perfectly as possible, but in reality over time the clear coat gets swirls and scratches in it. Those swirls and scratches can be seen on the cross cut picture above.
As you can see from the picture even though the surface area has already been washed, there is still dirt and contaminants on the paint. These are things such as brake dust, tar, over spray or just about anything else that the Freshen Up doesn’t clean up. Usually, people just rub harder on those area’s until they go away, and they will. The only problem is now there is a lot more light swirling and scratching in that area for more contaminants to attach to. Enter, the clay bar.
By using a clay bar after the Freshen Up and before applying wax, sealant or polishing the paint, you will save yourself a lot of headaches and have a much better looking car in the end. Best of all, it’s one of the simplest things to do during a detail.
1. roll the clay bar into a ball, no bigger than a ping pong ball.
2. flatten it out like a pancake.
3. mist 2ft x 2ft area of the paint with spray lubricant.
4. rub clay on lubed paint surface, just as if you were washing the car. The paint will probably feel a little rough at first and then the clay will gradually glide easier and easier on the paint.
5. once the area feels smooth, dry lubricant and move on to the next area.
6. repeat until all paint is clay barred.
It is extremely important to remember this one rule about clay bars. If you drop it on the floor, it is NO GOOD! I’m gonna repeat it one more time because it’s that important. If you drop the clay bar on the floor it is no longer any good. I’ve seen people try to “cut that area” out or fold it up into its self or whatever. In the end, they have messed up paint because 1 piece of sand was being dragged all over their car from when they dropped the clay and reused it.
That being said, the clay bar is nothing more than a final cleaning tool before you go into paint correction or protection. By removing all of the surface contaminants with a clay bar, your cars paint should feel like butter.
In 2004, NCDübs came to life in order to bring together enthusiasts of VW and Audi within the North Carolina region.