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Detailings Best Kept Secret - The Clay Bar

Although now much more commonly used in the detailing fraternity
than even one or two years ago, the clay bar is still one of
detailings best kept secrets. Using a clay bar can significantly
improve the surface of your paintwork to give a silk smooth finish
and ultimately help achieve the incredibly deep shine you are
always looking for.

So what is it, why does it work and how do you use it...?

Unless you are fortunate enough to be able to keep your motor
sealed in a giant glass display case, it will always be subject to
attack from air and water borne pollution from the second it leaves
the factory paint shop.

Much of this pollution and contamination ("dirt") is so fine it is
virtually invisible but can comprise of many common particulates
such as brake dust, acid rain, road film and tar and many fine
particles of pollutants from factories, fires etc. All of which, at
some point, come falling down and begin to bond into the surface of
your paintwork. And whilst you can't see it, will make the surface
of your paint rough and begin the process of oxidisation.

Of course some of this "dirt" can be removed by washing or pre-wax
cleaning compounds - but not all of it. This is where the clay bar
comes into it's own.

Clay bars have been used extensively in bodyshops for many years,
primarily for the removal of overspray.

What is a Clay Bar?

Essentially clay is a flexible putty like substance with an
extremely light polishing quality that when used with a suitable
lubricant will apply a polishing action to remove microscopic and
other protrusions from your paint surface, without affecting the
underlying paint.

Thus effectively removing contaminant particles protruding above
the surface of your paint to make it extremely smooth to the touch
and much much cleaner.

Our first experience...

When Ali and I first encountered clay bars, we were to say the
least, very skeptical. After all we were washing, polishing and
waxing to get a brilliant shine - So how could there be anymore
"dirt" on our paintwork?

All I can say is be prepared for a surprise. The first time we used
it, after a good wash we were amazed at the brown film that quickly
covered the surface of our clay bar, and all from the "dirt" we
couldn't see. But the best was yet to come - the smoothness of the
paint surface was even more amazing. At the time we didn't think we
could get it any smoother than we had been doing - but boy were we
wrong.

So essentially, when used the clay bar will remove the residual
contaminants from the surface of your paintwork without being
abrasive to the paint itself and therefore ensuring the smoothest
possible surface for polishing and waxing. After all the last thing
you want to do is put a wax or sealant on your paint and
effectively seal in surface "dirt" that was still present.

Here is an example of a clay bar that has been used on just
washed paintwork that "looked" clean:



So how do you use it...?

The key to using clay safely, is lubrication. The ideal clay bar lubricant
being one that is specially formulated for use with clay, such as
Pinnacle Clay Lubricant and does not contain a high degree of
alcohol in its formula. Alternatively a fresh dilution mix of a
quality motor wash shampoo can also be used as an effective
lubricant, as long as you have plenty on hand.

The first step is to thoroughly wash and dry your motor. Again
using a quality motor shampoo - something we covered week or so
back in the guide to winter motor care.

As with most detailing, claying should not be done in direct
sunlight or on hot surfaces. A good idea before you start is to cut
your clay bar into 2 or 3 smaller pieces, depending on the original
size. Thus if you accidentally drop your bar, you have some
uncontaminated clay to continue with. If you do accidentally drop
your clay on the ground, do not attempt to pick the grit out or
knead it round so you can't see them - THROW IT AWAY.

It is also a good idea to roll or knead the clay before use to
ensure it is as soft and malleable as possible. After having done
this, simply flatten out your clay across your fingers and you are
ready to proceed.

Next...

Spray your lubricant onto a small area of your paintwork. Always
work in small areas and not whole panels at a time. Then spray you
clay with the lubricant and rub, with a medium to light pressure in
a forwards/backwards motion across the paint surface. Always
ensuring you do not allow the lubricant to dry out in the area
being worked.

It will only take a few passes across your paint to feel the
difference. Once you are happy that you have a smoother surface or
a visible contaminant has been removed, such as a tar spot or
overspray, then wipe over with a quality microfibre cloth and move
on to the next section.

Remember to keep a regular check on your clay bar. If it pulls away
large particles of "dirt" such as tar spots, pick these out
immediately. And when your clay starts to become "dirty" then knead
it over to expose a fresh surface.

Finally...

Don't forget to give your paintwork a final wash and dry to remove
any residue from the lubricant.

You are now ready to polish and wax over what should now been and
extremely clean and smooth surface. As in many things it is
ultimately the time and preparation put in at the beginning that
will determine the quality of the finish at the end. And clay
barring is no exception.

In a nutshell that is the secret of clay and what was one of
detailings best kept secrets.

If you have not used clay before we hope this has given you the
insight to give it a try and if you are already using it we hope it
has given you a better understanding of how and why you should
continue.

And on a final note, you should only need to clay once or twice a
year and when you have finished and if your clay is not too dirty
then safely store it away in a clean plastic closable container or
sealable polythene bag, to ensure it does not pick dirt and dust
whilst not in use.

Best Wishes


Rob & Ali
Performance Motorcare

If interested to know more simply follow this link to see more details of the different available types of Clay Bars & Lubricants

Latest News - After over 12 months of searching and testing Ali and I are excited to announce the arrival this week of the first delivery of our new branded products - a range of individual and multiple pack Clay Bars

If you are a member of a forum or have your own website and would like to use the above on your site or forum, please feel free to do so. All we would ask is that you put a link back to the clay bars section of our website with the information, on your site or forum.