QA

Question: Do Clay Bars Go Bad

How long should a clay bar last?

clay bar will last you 18 months to 2 years if used on the same vehicle. If you buy clay in an 4 oz. bar, like Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay or BLACKFIRE Poly Clay, cut it in half and keep the unused portions moistened with lubricant in the storage case.

Do clay bars go off?

I’ve never had a bar go bad. Once they get a lot of grit in them dedicate them to wheel cleaning or trash can. That’s the thing, I used a TON of lube.

When should you throw out clay bars?

How do I know when to throw the clay bar away? A. There is no definitive answer for this, but we always like to say once you can no longer refold a fresh surface, look at the clay, and if it looks too dirty to use on your paint then it’s probably time to let it go.

Can a clay bar remove scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car’s paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.

Does clay Bar damage clear coat?

Clay bars are not supposed to damage the paint or clear coat finish, the particles that are being removed by the clay bar might remove some of the clear coat (see image below for example) the the damage these particles can do over time is worse than the clear coat being removed – and this valleys will be filled in with Jul 19, 2007.

What comes after Clay Bar?

When you’re finished claying your car, you may need to wash it to remove any lubricant film. If you plan to use a pre-wax cleaner polish, it will remove clay residue so there’s no need to wash. Last but not least, after using clay, seal your freshly cleaned paint with your choice of wax or sealant.

How many times can you use a clay bar?

You can, therefore, clay bar it at least 2 to 3 times a year. But say you drive your car daily, maybe to work, or do groceries, then you can clay bar it as often as possible. Even if you do it at least thrice every six months, there’s no problem.

Can you use clay bar on glass?

Glass does not need a special clay bar, and most clay bars are safe for glass. They may leave marring on the glass and need to be polished afterwards. With any clay bar, make sure to use the proper clay lubricant. Soaps and water-less washes can often breakdown the clay bars, causing them to crumble and fall apart.

What liquid do you use with clay bar?

Q: What can I use to lubricate a clay bar? You can use a specifically formulated lubricant, a quick detailer, or soapy water. All of these will sufficiently lubricate your vehicle so that the clay bar can glide over your vehicle’s surface without damaging it.

Do you clay bar before or after wash?

Claying should always come after a good wash. You want to get as much of the dirt out as possible, by scrubbing and brushing and scrubbing some more.

Will clay bar remove water spots?

Wash your car as normal, but before drying use a clay bar and clay lubricant to remove contaminants. Check out this guide to claying your paint. This will remove all water spots and etchings as well as removing light scratches from your car’s paint.

Do I need to polish after clay bar?

The detailer’s rule of thumb is to always decontaminate the surface with a clay bar before putting on a new coat of wax, or polishing any exterior paintwork.

Is a clay bar worth it?

Over time, these particles could permanently damage your paint. These particles also prevent wax and polish from working properly, which means you don’t get as clear a shine. If you want to protect your paint job in the future and have your car looks its best, clay bar detailing is absolutely worth it.

Does clay bar remove ceramic coating?

Since clay is so sticky, it can even absorb particles that are bonded with the car’s clear coat. Many professional automotive detailers prefer to use surface clay bars over polishes, since clay bars do not remove any clear coating from your car’s surface – as long as it is used with clay lubricant.

Can you damage your paint with a clay bar?

What Is an Automotive Clay Bar? Clay bars used by professionals will be more “aggressive” in their ability to cut contaminants from auto finishes, but they can also cause damage to paint in the wrong hands.

Can you clay bar clear coat?

Clay bar detailing is an effective means of removing the embedded particles from the clear coat. The clay encases and adheres to the tiny bits of debris and literally yanks them from the clear coat. If performed correctly, you can remove particles without leaving any traces on the clear coat.

Can I clay bar a wet car?

I have found if you clay the car when its wet, your towel for drying up the clay lube gets saturated faster and i find that more annoying than taking the time to dry it first personally. BUT if you plan to wash it again after claying, then you don’t even need to wipe. But give claying the car wet a try!Nov 10, 2012.

Can you not clay bar a new car?

If your paint feels rough or textured, then you need to clay. If it feels smooth as glass than you shouldn’t need to clay, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt. In all honestly, claying a new car shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes, and it requires very little effort.