how to do clay bar treatment

Steps for Using a Clay Bar or Clay Mitt

• Wash and Dry Your Vehicle. The first step is to thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle. The best way to do this is with...
• Gather Supplies. To perform a clay treatment on your car, you have two options, both of which are sold as DIY kits:...
• Pick a Starting Point. It is recommended to work on the paint finish one small section (about...

Full Answer

How to properly use a clay bar?

Sep 01, 2020 · Steps for Using a Clay Bar or Clay Mitt Wash and Dry Your Vehicle. The first step is to thoroughly wash and dry your vehicle. The best way to do this is with... Gather Supplies. To perform a clay treatment on your car, you have two options, both of which are sold as DIY kits:... Pick a Starting ...

How to make cheap clay bar lubricant?

Apply clay bar lubricant Add a quarter-sized drop of clay bar lubricant to your detailing clay, as well as directly to a 2’ x 2’ section of your car. This will make it easier to slide the clay bar over the surface of your car without pushing contaminants deeper into …

Is clay bar bad for your car?

The clay bar treatment is another part of the decontamination process, which is a vital step for all ceramic coating applications. This step comes after the decontamination wash and removes debris that is still stuck in the paint. On a microscopic level, the paint on your car is porous. Gradually, these pores become gunked up, just like the ...

What are the best clay bars?

Feb 26, 2015 · NEW UPDATED VIDEO:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8LyHX0eHl8Auto detailing clay is the detailer's secret for smooth-as-glass paintwork. If your car feels r...

How do you use clay bar?

1:463:22How To Clay Bar Your Car - Chemical Guys Auto Detailing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like to keep my clay Luber in one hand and my clay bar and the other now once you have it lubed upMoreI like to keep my clay Luber in one hand and my clay bar and the other now once you have it lubed up you want to take the clay and gently scrub the surface.

Do you wash before or after clay bar?

Timing is Key – When to Clay Bar Claying should always come after a good wash. You want to get as much of the dirt out as possible, by scrubbing and brushing and scrubbing some more. Your choice of cleaning agent will also ensure that your vehicle is ready for the use of a clay bar.Feb 10, 2014

What should I do before and after Clay Bar?

0:013:28Before & After Clay Bar, Polish and Wax - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHey guys so I'm gonna shoot this video right here just because I want to show you the before duringMoreHey guys so I'm gonna shoot this video right here just because I want to show you the before during and after we just gave you a quick tutorial on how to use a clay bar.

What does Clay BAR do to paint?

Clay bars are purely for removing bonded particles to prevent future damage, like paint swirls. They cannot fix existing damage.May 30, 2018

Does Clay Bar damage clear coat?

A clay bar is an engineered, clay-like product that pulls contaminants like water spots, brake dust, metal dust, industrial pollution and road grit from your clear coat. When used with a clay lubricant, these contaminants come loose from your car and get stuck safely in the clay so they don't damage your clear coat.

How often should you claybar a car?

2 to 3 times a yearAlthough there's no specific schedule to clay bar your car, you must do this at least 2 to 3 times a year. How often you clean your car will determine the grade you use. To be on the safer side, try being more conservative with the grades, especially when you're not entirely sure.Sep 10, 2020

Do you have to wax after clay bar?

The detailer's rule of thumb is to always decontaminate the surface with a clay bar before putting on a new coat of wax, or polishing any exterior paintwork. Those foreign particles block wax from sticking to the paint, making it last for a shorter time and not shine as bright.

Do you have to buff after clay bar?

You don't have to polish afterwards but clay bars will mar the surface. You may not see or notice it but it is there. Depending on how fine a grade the clay is, you may have to do an intensive polish or just a one-step wax.

Do you need to polish car after clay bar?

2:517:38Should You Polish Paint After Clay Bar Treatment? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDo you have the polish. Every time you clay bar or do any type of clay treatment. Um it's idealMoreDo you have the polish. Every time you clay bar or do any type of clay treatment. Um it's ideal because you will to some level be putting some level of marring into the vehicle. But again if the

Will clay bar remove rust spots?

The Clay Bar is very easy to use: from the original bar, just take a piece off and mould it into a flat shape that can act effectively on the bodywork. Then pass the clay bar on rust spots by rubbing with small and very fast movements.Aug 9, 2017

Can I use soapy water with clay bar?

Yes, soapy water makes a very decent clay lubricant! It's by far the cheapest way to do it and you likely already have some in stock, so you can mix it up right now. After you wash the car, mix the same proportions of car shampoo and water in a clean bucket or spray bottle and apply generously to the surface.Nov 16, 2020

Does a clay bar remove scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car's paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.

What you need to know

The longer dirt and stains are allowed to dwell on your car, the more likely they are to become embedded in your clear coat. If you’ve gone several weeks, or even months, without washing your car, there may still be traces of brake dust, bird droppings and water spots stuck to your finish after you scrub away the stains.

Wash and dry your car

Start by washing your car from the top down with a car wash mitt and an all-purpose car wash shampoo like M.A.X. Power Detergent and a bucket of water. Continue to scrub until you’ve lifted all the stains and soils from your vehicle, then rinse your car thoroughly with agarden hose. Towel dry using a fresh, microfiber towel.

Separate and shape your clay

Pull your clay bar into two halves and return one half to the package. Shape the other half of your clay into a flat oval about the size of your palm. You only need as much clay as will fit in your hand. Clay bars pick up contaminants easily, so if you drop it,you won’t be able to use it again.

Apply clay bar lubricant

Add a quarter-sized drop of clay bar lubricant to your detailing clay, as well as directly to a 2’ x 2’ section of your car. This will make it easier to slide the clay bar over the surface of your car without pushing contaminants deeper into the clear coat.

Rub the clay into your finish

Next, you’re going to rub the clay over the surface of your car using a back-and-forth motion to pull the contaminants from your paint finish. Avoid circular motions to prevent leaving any scratches or swirls in the clear coat.

Check your work

Once you’ve clay barred the entire section, use the baggie trick to check your work. If the surface of your car still feels gritty, continue to apply the clay bar to this section until it feels smooth like glass.

Follow up with a polish and wax

And just like that, you've clay barred your car like the pros do. Now that your car is actually squeaky clean, it’s time to follow your clay bar treatment with a quick polish and wax to correct and restore your paintwork to its original, showroom gloss.

When to use clay bar?

It’s a great idea to use a clay bar before and after a cold winter when your car will be subject to ice, snow, and salt. If you live near the ocean you may want to get more frequent clay bar treatments due to the salty air.

What is a clay bar?

Clay bars are innovative tools that help restore your car to its full potential. When paired with a good lubricant, it uses its putty-like texture to remove any pollutants or impurities from the surface of the car. While “clay bar” might sound like something that would scratch your paint, it’s actually smooth and waxy.

Can you use clay bar wax on a car?

The outer coat of your car isn’t as sturdy as you think it is, and pollutants and contaminants can infiltrate it and bleed down into the more fragile color layer. You don’t have to use a clay bar as often as you clean your car.

What is a clay bar?

A “Clay Bar Detail” is most commonly used on paint, but also works on glass, fiberglass, and metal. When done properly, using Clay as a detailing product is non-abrasive and should not damage your car. Steps.

How big is a clay bar?

Clay bars usually come in sizes ranging from 2–8 oz (57–227 g). The 2 oz (57 g) size is more than enough for 1 car, and is a very manageable piece of clay to work with. If you buy a larger bar, you can cut it into sections with a sharp knife and seal up the pieces you don’t need for later use. For example, you can cut a 6 oz (170 g) ...

How to protect paint from corrosion?

Apply a coat of wax or sealant after “claying” the whole car. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the clay bar and the wax or sealant. Waxing or sealing protects the paint from corrosion that can form in the tiny holes that had been previously filled with contaminants before “claying.”.

Who is Tom Eisenberg?

Auto Technician. This article was co-authored by Tom Eisenberg. Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry.

Who owns West Coast Tires?

Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry.

What is a clay bar treatment?

If you want to take your car’s shine to another level, or if you just want to restore your old car’s paint job , then a clay bar treatment is a good step in doing so.

How to make a clay bar?

As far as the actual clay bar process, here are the basic steps, courtesy of The Drive: 1 Wash and dry your car thoroughly 2 Remove the clay bar and separate it into halves or quarters (you won’t need all of it) 3 Work the clay with your fingers and make a small, flat disc out of it 4 Pick out a small section of your car to work on first (hood, fender, etc.) 5 Spray the section liberally with a quick detailer or clay lube 6 Lightly glide the clay over the lubricated surface in a back-and-forth motion 7 Wipe off the excess detail spray with a microfiber towel 8 Fold the clay over itself and work it with your hand to flatten it out and reveal a cleaner portion of it 9 Continue the same process until the rest of the car is completely clayed 10 Be sure to wax, polish, or ceramic coat your car’s paint afterward for extra protection

What is a clay bar?

A clay bar treatment is when a piece of clay is used to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint. Although you might not be able to see all of the contaminants with your naked eye, there’s a lot of dirt and dust that have a handy way of sticking to your car’s paint as you drive around.

What should I do before using a clay bar?

Before using a clay bar, your car should be washed and dried to remove a majority of contamination on your vehicle. The more contaminated the paint is the more likely imperfections can be added during the clay bar process.

How often should I use a clay bar?

We recommend using a clay bar roughly twice a year, or before details where you plan on polishing the paint. If your car is subject to industrial fallout or heavily contaminated areas, using a clay bar more often may be required.

What does a clay bar do to paint?

Using a clay bar will remove embedded surface contamination that still remains after a maintenance wash. Sometimes the contamination removed is not always visible on the paint to the naked eye. After using a clay bar on your paint you will be left with a surface that is as smooth as glass and properly prepped.

How much ONR to add to a gallon of water?

It has cleaning agents that help lift contamination from the surface, provides a slippery surface to glide your clay over and cleans up nicely. Simply add 2 ounces of ONR to a gallon of water and you have yourself a great clay bar lubricant.

Can you wash a car with a clay bar?

It's good practice to re-wash your vehicle after using a clay bar to remove any loosened contamination and to remove excess clay bar residue. Clay not only works well on your paint, but also your glass, wheels, plastics and other surfaces. Here are a few articles related to Clay Bars from our Ask-a-Pro Detailer Blog:

What is a decontamination pad?

Decontamination pads and towels utilize a urethane rubber face to help clean the exterior paint, glass, etc. making it easier and quicker than a traditional clay bar. These pads and towels can be washed and reused, even if dropped on the floor, whereas a clay bar should be trashed after it picks up some heavy contamination or is dropped on a dirty garage floor. In some instances, an aggressive clay bar may be necessary either before or after the decontamination pad or towel is used, but most of the time these will eliminate the need for a clay bar.

How to decontaminate a car?

Step 1: After thoroughly washing the car, prepare for the decontamination process by drying the vehicle and working in the shade. Step 2: If necessary, use a clay bar to remove really stubborn contamination such as tree sap and tar. Clay bar may work better for this and will prolong the life of your decon pads or towels.

What is a clay bar?

A clay bar is typically the final step that makes sure your paint is surgically clean. The results you can expect from using a clay bar alone are not very exciting. As a matter of fact, you probably won’t see any visible difference at all. A clay bar’s purpose isn’t to change the look of your paint.

What is the purpose of a clay bar?

A clay bar’s purpose isn’t to change the look of your paint. Its job is to make it feel slippery and smooth. For this reason, you can’t judge a clay bar treatment’s success with your eye – it’s all about touch (and in extreme cases, sound). Clay Bar Alternatives.

Can you clean a clay bar?

One of the biggest draws to these is that you can actually clean them safely if you drop them on the ground. Dropping an actual clay bar seals its fate, and it’ll have to be sent to the trash.

Can you use a clay bar on a car?

Although using a clay bar on your car is an essential part of detailing, it shouldn’t be done unless absolutely necessary. The clay bar has a specific job – to remove bonded contaminants from your paint. Even when used properly, it should be considered a necessary evil since it can be abrasive.