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The clay bar has a specific job – to remove bonded contaminants from your paint. If it’s been done recently, your paint is likely still smooth. The fact is, you should never clay bar your car and stop there. Clay bars are abrasive and will mar your paint while they remove the contaminants.
What does a clay bar actually do?
A clay bar is either a natural or synthetic engineered resin compound designed to remove or ‘lift’ contamination from your vehicles surface to provide a contamination free, smooth surface to apply protection to. Contamination such as: industrial fallout, rail dust, honey due, tree sap and bitumen tar.
Is clay Bar better than wax?
There are several side benefits to using clay. The most noticeable is how slick and smooth your paint feels afterwards. Polish your car for hours and it won’t feel as slick and smooth as it does after a few minutes with a clay bar. But perhaps the biggest benefit is that waxing becomes easier and more effective.
Can clay bar scratch your car?
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.
Can claybar ruin paint?
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.
Are clay bars 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 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.
Does clay bar remove wax?
Yes. Claying involves gliding along the surface of the car coat and removing any contaminants on the surface. When you clay your vehicle, you remove the contaminants, making the coat easier to wax.
Can you reuse clay bar?
Improper Claying “The fact is, clay needs to glide over the surface to be effective in cleaning the paint.” As simple as it sounds, it’s the truth. Jim also strongly advises against reusing clay bars. “Once a clay bar has picked up debris, it’s contaminated,” says Jim adamantly.
How often should I clay bar car?
If it feels rough or bumpy, it is time to clay! As a general guideline, claying 3-4 times a year will keep your car’s paint clean and smooth.
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.
How long does 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.
What can I use instead of a clay bar?
The Autoscrub Towel is a clay bar alternative that consists of a special rubber impregnated towel. You simply apply some lubricant and wipe the surface with the Autoscrub Towel. If you drop the Autoscrub Towel on the ground, no big deal just rinse it off.
Do I have 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.
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.
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.
Does clay Bar cause swirls?
Swirl marks are potential with clay bar decontamination if you get a piece caught between the clay bar and the paint. At the same time, unless the paint is fairly hard and plenty of lube is used, clay will almost always leave at least some marring and swirls of its own.
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 clay bar without waxing?
Sure. Should you, no. If time is an issue, clay and wax part of the car this weekend and clay/wax the other half next weekend. If you use Nanoskin “clay” and incorporate it into the wash step, then claying really adds a few minutes of additional work time, at most.
