Understanding How To Clay Bar A Car
What is a Clay Bar?
The surface of your vehicle can be constantly exposed to airborne pollutants which stick to the surface. Some of them include brake dust, industrial spills, tar, etc. Often these items can cause corrosion and can damage the clear coat or cause rust marks if the clay bar is not used. Tiny metal particles (sometimes called railroad dust) will enter the finish and are shown as extremely small white specs which are easily visible on white vehicles. Regular washing does not eliminate contaminants.
What is Clay Bar Treatment?
Clay bar treatment involves the use of clay to remove dirt particles from vehicles such as tar and brake dusts from their bodies. Over time, the buildup of these contaminants can damage the vehicle, and many of these contaminants are corrosive. Regular visits to an auto wash can remove contaminants from vehicles. After car washing the clay bars can enhance the cleaning and give the cars a glossy appearance. In addition, clay bar is nonabrasive and won't ruin car paint or clear coats.
Why are Clay Bars so effective?
Traditional clay bars are exceptionally absorbent and the product can be used effectively for removing contaminants from surfaces. A car wash helps to remove dirt from the surface. But clay bars can also be used for cleaning things like dirt, trees, sap or other things that are not usually handled. These harsh chemicals can be easily removed by clay bars.
Do new cars need to be clayed?
Once a new automobile is built they usually sit at lots and ships which face varying industrial impacts. Many people also go to the airport by bus or train and sit there for a bit! Rail dust is quite common in newly bought cars. Whenever possible I recommend getting a clay bar treatment upon receiving your new car.
How often should I clay my car?
It is dependent largely upon many different factors, however based upon my recommendation, it should be done when there is contamination present in your clear coat. Often times people are told to clay their vehicle multiple times per year and it is unnecessary. It actually does more harm than good to clay bar your car if there is no contamination in the clear coat.
Types of clay bars
Auto detailing clay bar comes in various aggressiveness and grades, from very fine grade bar to heavy duty. The type you'll use depends on the condition of your car’s paintwork and the contaminants that need to be removed.
Fine-grade clay bar is great for lightly soiled surfaces and can remove stubborn elements such as light-duty dirt, pollen, and bug debris. These types of clay bars don't require a great deal of pressure, making them suitable for the DIYer who wants a gentler approach.
Medium-grade clay is better suited for removing tougher contaminants from your car's surface like sap and tar, as well as surface oxidation caused by exposure to the elements. It’s best to use these with a more medium-pressure technique since they may be too abrasive if applied too forcefully.
Heavy-duty clay bars are designed to tackle ground-in grime and heavily corroded surfaces - they should only be used with extreme caution (and lots of lubrication) as they can easily cause scratches or gouges in your vehicle's paintwork if handled incorrectly.
Ultimately, choosing the right type of clay bar will depend on both your skill level and the condition of your car's paint - make sure to always keep safety in mind when selecting the right clay bar kit for your detailing needs.
How To Use a Clay Bar
Using auto-detailing clay is simple but requires some patience and precision. First, you'll need to make sure your vehicle's clear coat is completely clean and dry before you begin. Then spray the panel lightly with your clay lube. You can use car shampoo, detail spray, or a product specifically designed for using a clay bar (this helps lubricate the surface so the clay will move more easily over the paint). Take a small piece of clay and knead it in your hand until it forms into a pliable shape - this only takes about 30 seconds (put your clay bar in hot water and let it sit for 30 seconds and it will soften up if needed). Then begin rubbing the bar over the surface of your car in overlapping straight lines while maintaining light pressure - this will allow any embedded dirt on your surfaces to come up as powdery residue on top of the bar itself. The goal here is to keep repeating these steps until all contaminants have been removed, which usually takes anywhere between 5-15 minutes per panel depending on size and condition.
Once complete, simply wipe away any remaining residue with a clean microfiber cloth before continuing with any other detailing treatments such as applying a ceramic coating or polishing your paint. Now that you have finished throw away that dirty clay bar and use a fresh one the next time you need to clay your vehicle.
Can Clay Bar Damage Your Car
Clay bars are great for removing contaminants from your car's clear coat, but if used incorrectly they can cause damage to the finish. As with any detailing process, the key is to use the right techniques and proper amounts of pressure when using a clay bar.
When using a clay bar, it's important to make sure you have enough lubricant on the surface in order to prevent accidental scratches or gouges from forming. Applying too much pressure can also lead to damaging painted surfaces, so take your time and use gentle movements when gliding the bar across your car's paintwork.
In addition, you should never use a clay bar more than once because this can cause scratching due to left-over debris or dirt particles stuck in between the bar's layers. And if you find that your vehicle is extremely dirty and needs extra scrubbing power, opt for a harsher cleaning product like an abrasive cleaner instead - they'll get the job done faster while still being safe enough not to damage your paint.
Car enthusiasts should take caution when using clay bars and pay close attention to their technique in order to ensure that no harm is caused during the detailing process. With this in mind, clay bars can definitely be beneficial for removing contaminants without damaging paint - as long as they're used correctly!
How Often Should I Clay Bar My Cars Paint?
How often you should clay bar your car depends on a variety of factors such as the type of environment the car is regularly exposed to, how much driving it does, and what kind of cleaning products you use. Generally speaking, only clay your cars paint if there are embedded contaminants.
Clay bars are a popular choice for car detailing and can be an indispensable part of keeping your vehicle looking its best. However, it's important to remember that just because these products are readily available doesn't mean that they should be used indiscriminately.
In fact, clay barring is often the most overused detailing product – and yet one of the most misunderstood and misapplied tools out there. When done incorrectly or in inappropriate situations, clay bar detailing can actually cause more harm than good.
Does a Clay Bar Remove Scratches?
Clay bars won't eliminate any scratches on paint because they don't contain the kind of abrasive material needed to correct scratches out of your clear coat.