Clay bars are an essential tool in automotive detailing.
Clay bars and synthetic clay are designed to remove water spots, tree sap, paint overspray, rail dust, and other contaminants that have bonded to a vehicle’s surface.
Not only does this service benefit the overall condition of the vehicle, it will also save your polishing pads from picking up debris and breaking down more quickly. Claying thoroughly removes any contaminants that a basic wash can’t touch.
If the clay step is skipped when applying a wax or sealant, you’ll simply be sealing in the dirt, and your labor time will be increased if you will be doing any paint correction steps prior.
There’s a quick way to test whether a vehicle needs to be clayed (and to allow you to feel the difference before and after). First, spray the surface with a clay lubricant, then put your hand in a cellophane or plastic bag and rub it across the panel.
You’ll be able to hear and feel just how much contamination is embedded in the paint.
Types of Clay Bars
Our Wonder Clay Bars come in various grades, ranging from light duty to medium duty and heavy duty. The light-duty clay bar is best for vehicles that are in for express aftercare service on a bimonthly or quarterly basis. Medium-duty clay bars usually do the trick when it comes to prepping a vehicle during wash up, prior to detailing if done every 6-12 months.
A heavy-duty clay bar is for vehicles suffering severe contaminants and for removing paint overspray.
Preparation
The vehicle should be washed prior to using a clay bar.
Rinse and wash the vehicle with your favorite car wash soap, such as our Super Suds Vehicle Wash Concentrate. This high-foaming cleaner can be used in a foam gun or wash bucket and is perfect for use prior to claying.
Steps to Clay Bar a Car
Using a clay bar is simple.
- Evenly mist the panel with Wonder Lube Clay Lubricant.
- Break off a piece of the clay bar and knead it into a flat disc. Work it back and forth across the lubricated section.
- You’ll begin to see the contaminants picked up on the clay. Knead and fold the debris into the clay to reveal fresh, clean clay.
- Continue across the whole vehicle, lubricating adequately. The hood, roof, and any flat sections will typically need the most work. Once there are no longer any clean areas on the clay, grab a new piece.
- Rinse the clay lubricant off of the vehicle and store leftover clay in supplied container.
After this process has been completed, you’re sure to feel the difference in the paint’s smoothness.
If you drop a clay bar on the ground — throw it away, because the dirt on the ground will scratch the clearcoat. It’s best practice to break a new bar in half or thirds (depending on the size) so you’ll have a back-up bar in case the original hits the deck.
Alternatives to Clay Bars
Synthetic clay is an incredibly convenient alternative to traditional detailing clay. It can be reused many times over, saving a lot of money over time. This is thanks to the fact that the contaminants can be rinsed off.
Synthetic clay comes in many forms, including towels, wash mitts, and even pads that can be used on a polisher, which will greatly speed up the process. Shop synthetic clay options from the NanoSkin and Holey Clay lines.
The process for using synthetic clay is exactly the same beyond rinsing off the dirt rather than kneading it in. Synthetic clay will also need to be broken in before the first use. To do this, spray a glass window with clay lubricant and work the synthetic clay across the glass.
Synthetic clay generally isn’t as aggressive as a heavy cut clay bar, but it has just the right amount of cut for most vehicles. It’s a small investment that will make a big difference.
FAQs
Can I use water or soap instead of a clay lubricant?
Sometimes detailers try to cut corners by using water or soap from washing the vehicle instead of lubricant for the clay, but this can lead to multiple issues. When claying with carwash soap during the wash step prior to rinsing the vehicle, the dirt that is suspended in the soap suds and the dirt that has not been rinsed off will scratch the clear coat while claying.
Using plain water is also not a good idea because it will lead to a ton of marring for two reasons: its surface tension doesn’t allow the clay to glide smoothly, and it’ll dry out too quickly. Soapy water will actually break the clay down faster, so it won’t get its full life.
Clay lubricant is specially designed to allow the clay bar to glide across the surface without drying out or scratching.
How do I store my clay bars?
When storing clay bars, spray them with Wonder Lube Clay Lubricant prior to placing them back in the case. This will keep them moist and ready to use. Avoid storing them anywhere that will get too cold, as the clay will harden and become more difficult to knead.
How many times can I use a clay bar?
On average, a single clay bar can be used for ten to twenty cars. This will vary based on the condition of the vehicles, but there are steps you can take to get the most out of your clay bar.
Clay bars can be split into two to three pieces before use. Storing them properly and always using a specialty clay lubricant will ensure it stays usable for as long as possible.
How long does it take to clay bar a car?
The time it takes to clay a full car will vary based on the condition of the vehicle.
Cars that are clayed regularly can be done in as little as 15-20 minutes. Synthetic clay options will be the quickest when it comes to labor time. On the other hand, vehicles that have never been detailed or have suffered from paint overspray could require much more time and attention.