The Clay Bar - How A Piece of Clay Fits Into Cleaning Your Car

For all my time in the detailing business, I have heard more confusion and questions about this little blob. I hope to clear up some confusion and provide a little education.

When you “clay bar” a car, you are literally taking a lump of clay and “scrubbing” the exterior painted surfaces of the car. A lubricant is used in the process (soapy water or a liquid spray wax - my personal favorite), keeping the clay from sticking to the car and increasing the performance of the product. When the clay is used, the contact surface is so smooth and flat that it creates more surface contact than any buffer or hand towel can. This close contact is what provides the clay with the ability to remove surface contaminants like industrial fallout. The clay absorbs the contamination and does not transfer it back to the car.

At the end of the job your paint is left super clean and ready for the best wax application possible. If you do not clay the car and still wax it, you may notice little white specs on the car. This is where the fallout traps the wax. I have never felt a finish so smooth and seen a wax job as good as I have after a thorough clay job. You will be amazed at the results!

This is a job you can do yourself but I do not recommend it unless you have done it a few times already. The clay traps everything that it contacts so picking something up that will scratch your car is a real possibility. It is time consuming as well.

This is a process that is used in conjunction with buffing, but it doesn't always accompanies just buffing. If you want this process done, it is best to ask specifically for it.

If you do it on your own, I do recommend using a liquid spray wax. The job is cleaner and, I think, better. As for the clay itself, just use a high quality product and you will be happy. I recommend pretty much anything that you find at Griot’s Garage. They do a great job with their products.

Happy clay bar, people! Put some diapers in your car because the finish will be Baby Butt Smooth!

Comments

[Auto Repair Phoenix]

Loved your content. You have a great informative blog

[Ellie]

Very nice blog. Who would have thought that a clay bar would work so well! I think its something ill be trying, But, Like you've suggested, I wont be doing it myself until im sure on how its done! :) Cheers again!

[gympie mechanic]

When starting off in the trade I used this method to clean new cars after they arrived off the docks from the car ships. It made the paintwork silky smooth. I had completely forgotten about this method until now. Thanks again for bringing it back to my attention and to anyone reading this make sure you try it.