A Comprehensive Guide to Using a Clay Bar Safely
- November 14, 2024
- Blog
Using a clay bar could be your favourite hobby if you’re a car enthusiast akin to an artist. Yet, the appropriate use of clay bars is the most taxing and demanding topic in the detailing sector. Claying or clay baring requires meticulous attention and should be avoided without due care. However, we cannot overstate the advantages this advanced detailing treatment offers, as they’re huge.
Keep up with us to learn what clay bars are, why or when you should use them, and the necessary preventive measures to avoid using them on your automotive. Above all, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of how to use clay bars securely and in a controlled way to achieve a contamination-free finish.
What Is the Clay Bar, and Why Use It?
A clay bar is a synthetic putty that functions remarkably to remove or uplift the embedded dust or grime from the paintwork of your cars. This works in challenging situations, even after a full car if it seems dirty and rough. The root causes behind the rough feeling of your car’s exterior can be:
- Industrial Fallout
- Bitumen Tar
- Honey Due
- Environmental Contamination
- Rail Dust
- Tree Sap
- Pollution
Failing to remove these contaminations could result in:
- Hindering fresh wax to stick with the paintwork
- Triggering wax coats to fade sooner.
- Weakening the glossy look of your car.
- Activating oxidisation in paints, which results in car corrosion and fall off.
- Obstructing light reflection gives the finish a dull shine.
Attempting to dry towels to eliminate these contaminants can cause scratches with every wipe. Only clay bar offers a safer and more secure method in these challenging circumstances.
Enlisting the Necessary Equipment for Clay Bar Treatment
When opting for claying, ensure the availability of the following equipment in hand:
- Detailing Clay Kit
- Conventional Clay Bar
- Clay Lubricant or Detailing Spray
- Microfibre Towel
Applications of Clay Bars on Automobiles
Clay bars can be used on any shiny or clear exterior car part, including:
- Glass
- Paintwork
- Polished Metal
- Clear Optical Plastics
- Carbon Fiber
- Wheels
- Clear Bras
- Exhaust Tips
On What Parts Clay Bar Cannot Be Used?
There are a few limitations to using clay bars on various parts, including:
- Vinyl Wraps
- Matte Paintwork
- Rubber: Window Seals, Door, or Tyres
- Textured Plastic Trim
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Efficiently Use Clay Bars
Detailing clay is a nonabrasive and secure technique if used properly. Here are the detailed instructions:
Wash and Dry the Car
Before using the clay bar directly on your car, wash it thoroughly to eliminate any loose dirt from its exterior. Drying your car is also recommended to assess whether or not your technique is working.
Prepare the Clay Bar
Now, move to using clay on your vehicle. For this purpose, take a piece of clay and work it in your hands to soften it. This can be fun when you do it like you do with putty and new playdough, making them pliable and malleable. Afterwards, squash it to give the shape of a disk of 5cm in diameter.
Apply the Clay Bar
Clay bar must be done in trivial segments, gradually in succession. After fully preparing, spray a small section of your car with detailing spray or lubricants. To achieve better results, maintain a 2 feet distance between the spray and your vehicle. Using the clay means impurities are shifting from cars to your clay, so always make use of one side at a time. Once you observe scum accumulation, fold the dirty side into it and keep using the clean side.
Keep Checking and Rotating Clay Bar
Always check the clay bar to ensure you’re using a clean side. After using both sides, fold the clay many times, squeeze it, straighten it, and resume. Keep an eye on checking that the contaminants on the clay bar are not affecting your car’s paintwork; if so, take a fresh piece.
Clean with Microfibre Cloth
After finishing, rub the paintwork down with a microfibre cloth, eliminating any clay residue that has been left behind. You can utilise lubricant spray here if required.
Apply a Car Wax
Give a final touch using car wax, which helps fill the gas and protect your paintwork from upcoming corrosion.
The Outcome of Using Clay Bar Treatment
Clay bar detailing offers plenty of advantages, and the following are some of them to elucidate why you should choose this technique the next time you need your car detailed.
- A clay bar offers a safer way for contamination removal from the car’s paintwork or exterior.
- It results in improved waxing and sealing fallouts.
- Though the claying requires meticulous attention, the overall process is extremely easy.
- When enhancing the visual appeal of your car, you can improve its resale value, attracting potential buyers.
