To me ‘Claying’ is one of the most important steps in the car care process. The Clay will do a deep cleaning of the paint with its ability to safely remove Overspray, Rail Dust, Light Tree Sap Residue, Bug Splatter, Industrial Fallout and General Road Grime. Not only do they remove the surface contaminants but the added benefit is that your wax will form a much longer lasting bond with your paint after the surface has been cleaned with a clay bar.

But what is a clay bar? It is similar in appearance to PlayDough. In fact, there are nearly as many colors of clay bars as there are of PlayDough. However, it's texture is close to Silly Putty. But it is NOT a toy! Clay Bars are serious business.

Considering the thinness of today's paints Professional Detailers and Body Shops often use clay bars in place of a rotary buffer to remove surface contaminants. Although it might be a minute stretch of the truth to say that clay bars don't contain abrasives they are generally considered to be safe on all painted surfaces, chrome, wheels and windows.

Clay bars were originally were used in the early 1900's to remove overspray from automotive finishes during a rather crude period of car care in the automotive industry. Clay bars, back then, were rather unrefined when compared to today's synthetic clay bars.

This unique "clay-like" surface cleaning material is specifically formulated to remove stubborn contaminants from the paint finish of automobiles that cannot be removed using regular cleaning methods and are easy to use, and most clay bars are safe for all paint finishes, including clear coats [see guide below]. It works best with a surface lubrication that is included with most retail packs.

One 7oz clay bar will last an average of 25 cars.

 

Before beginning make sure you have the following:

(Clay Bar and Lube) A Clay Bar System [see guide below]
(Towel) 100% Cotton Hand Size Towel or a MicroFiber Towel (90,000 threads per square inch)
(Wrapper) Cellophane Cigarette Wrapper

In a well-lit, cool and dry area:

Step 1: Check for Surface Contaminants.
Technique: With two fingers inside the Wrapper gently glide it across the Surface. This will magnify any amount of Surface Contamination.
Tech Tip: Do not press down hard as you may free up some of the Surface Contaminants and scratch the Surface.

Step 2: Break off a 2 oz. portion of the Clay Bar.
Technique: Break off a 2oz piece of the Clay and roll it into a ball (store the remainder of the Clay in the container).
Tech Tip: If the Clay Bar is ever dropped onto the floor discard IMMEDIATELY.

Step 3: Saturate the Surface with the Lube.
Technique: Mist the Lube onto the Surface.

Step 4: Rub the Clay Bar onto the Surface.
Technique: Firmly press the ball of the Clay Bar onto the Surface to mold it to the contour of the Surface. Rub the Clay Bar on the Surface in a side-to-side motion with the Contour of the Panel.
Tech Tip: If the Surface begins to show any signs of drying wet again with the Lube.

Step 5: Wipe the Surface with the Towel.
Technique: Do not press hard onto the Surface with the Towel as you may induce some light surface scratches.
Tech Tip As you move from panel to panel 'fold' the clay to a new section.

Step 6: Inspect the Surface.
Technique: With the Wrapper inspect the Surface as in Step 1
Tech Tip: If the Surface still has some roughness to it repeat Steps 2 through 5.

 

The Blue Clay Bar:
I recently tested 3M's and ClayMagic's clay bar and have the same one that is imported from Japan (even has the same exact patent numbers on them, LOL). However, there is a tremdous price variation between the two with 3M's being around $5.00 less. I have found the 3M one for around $18. My Rating: Very Good.

The Yellow Clay Bar:
I recently tested Mother's, Zaino's and Zymol's clay bar and they appear to have the same exact one (although there is no patent number, LOL). Mother's clay bar is available for is available for around $18 as well but I was given my Zaino clay bar so I am not sure of the price. Zymol's clay bar is $80.80!! My Rating: Very Good

The White Clay Bar:
I tested Meguiar's clay bar a years ago and was not at all impressed. Meguiar's clay bar retails for $10. My Rating: Good

The Grey Clay Bar:
I recently tested Lusso's clay bar and the quality appears to be right in line with the 3M, ClayMagic, Mother's and Zaino. Lusso's clay bar retails for $14. My Rating: Very Good

The Red Clay Bar:
I have not recently tested AutoMagic's red clay bar. It contains a mild abrasive. I would recommend that this bar only be used in a professional bodyshop atmosphere. I will not give this product a rating.

 

Thanks DetailingDude. I had always wondered why clay bars were so usefull. Very informative and usefull - the very kind of how to guides I like with the information laid out in an organized mannor.

 

You're Welcome.

I'll be posting a few other things on car care periodically that will give everyone a more solid knowledge base and that gets us all on the same page.

 

I sense a future detailing tech article in the making. (I hope).

 

Yep, clay bars rock, I used the MOther's one along with the Meguiar's 3 step process and got great results.

 

Never had a bad result with Mother's Clay Bar.

 

Im kind of confused. Does the clay bar process replace the polishing process? When would you want to preform this process on a car? Only after its been painted and before its first coat of wax, or can you do it periodically before you wax the car?

 

No. A clay bar simply removes surface build up. Things that are attatched to your paint. A polish can remove surface blemishes.

 

I've used the Zaino, Mother's and Clay Magic bars. The Zaino and Mother's are both yellow, but I don't think they're the same. The Zaino bar is a little more "rubbery", e.i. closer to silly putty, than the Mother's, which is closer to Play-Doh.

I personally think I like the Mother's better, but they all get the job done equally from what I can tell.

 

The Zaino bar was around $18 IIRC, by the way and comes in a small jar with two bars (the same size as other brands) inside.

 

r we gonna put these in a stickey or somthing mark? I think it would be a good idea. thnks

 

Do you think that I should include more info of what you get with each package?

 

Any word on this being a sticky?

 

DetailingDude, I think we here at ThirdGen.Org would appreciate it if you would make Tech Articles for the site with your tips. If you don't know what those are click here: https://www.thirdgen.org/tech/techdb.shtml

PM me if you need any more information.

 

Ah, you just said you weren't sure of the price of the Zaino bar so I just threw that in there for completeness' sake.

I just felt that though the price was a little higher than average, you got two bars instead of only one. Although you don't get any lube with the Zaino clay bar, you can just use the car soap/water solution for lube.

 

Right! I am going to amend the post and include what you get and how much it costs and let the reader judge the value.

 

Awesome and very useful tip, I just learned something completely knew. I will deffiently take this knowledge and apply it.

 

Kewl, glad to help. Let me know how your car comes out.