How to Use a Clay Bar: All You Need to Know

At some point in your life, you’ve most likely looked at your trusty ride and thought to yourself: “wow, I should take care of my car more.”

After having this epiphany, you’re now set on helping your vehicle stay in tip-top shape. The first step is taking the initiative to keep it clean through regular visits to your local touchless car wash. However, if you’re looking to take things up a notch (while still keeping your routine visits to 5 Star Auto Detailing constant), then you’ve most likely looked into taking washing into your own hands. 

When you dive into the world of doing car care yourself, you’ll run into many points for learning that range from basic-level soap-and-water washes to full-on waxing. Along the way, you will learn about the many different tools that can be used to keep your vehicle’s finish in picture-perfect shape—the most intriguing of which being the clay bar.

The Introduction of Clay Bar

Take a close, hard look at your car’s finish—you’ll notice that there are contaminants like bird droppings, road grime, and tree sap embedded deep into its finish. No matter how hard you scrub your panels or how often you wash your car, it seems like the embedded contaminants won’t come off.

Well, this is where the humble clay bar comes in.

The Clay Bar’s Crucial Components

Contrary to popular belief, clay bars aren’t made of clay. They’re actually manufactured with a blend of man-made materials like synthetic resins and polymer rubber. Clay bars have the appearance of clay, hence their name.

Beyond appearance, clay bars are named as such because they’re astoundingly absorbent and elastic. They can be stretched or molded with ease. This flexibility is critical because it can contour to whatever surface requires claying, making it easier to maintain consistent results.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Clay Bar

Now that you’re determined to care for your ride, it’s time to take things up a notch by investing in the necessary tools—clay bars included. To make the most out of these pieces of car-cleaning equipment, here’s a quick step-by-step guide you should follow: 

Step #1: Choose the Best Option for Your Needs

Clay bars are grouped into two main categories: soft or mild-grade options and hard or rough-grade options. Both have their respective applications, so choose wisely (or buy both). 

Soft or mild grades of clay can remove mild surface contamination, and it’s best for light debris removal and routine maintenance. On the other hand, rougher or harder grades are formulated for removing deeply embedded or stickier debris. 

Step #2: Prep Your Surfaces

It’s best to start your clay prep by giving your car a proper soap, rinse, and dry with the help of a formulated solution suited for your vehicle’s finish. You should also apply ample lubricant to the surface you’re cleaning and the clay bar itself. This will help ensure that the area you’re cleaning is rubbed with a good amount of detailing solution.

Step #3: Get to Rubbing

The best way to use a clay bar is by gently gliding it back and forth over your target surface. Avoid using the clay bar in a circular motion. This motion could easily scratch your clear coat or create unsightly swirls marks. If your clay sticks to the surface, that means it’s working. As you continue to work on your car and pick up more dirt, don’t forget to fold your clay bar for a fresh layer and re-lube your surfaces until you’re done! 

Although claying is a great way to help ensure that your car’s finish stays in perfect shape, it’s still optimal that you bring your ride to an expert like 5 Star Auto Detailing for a full job!

Conclusion

Among the different tools that you can use to keep your car nice, clean, and in showroom shape, nothing works better than a proper clay bar. Through the help of this tool, you’ll be able to help remedy any imperfections that appear in your vehicle’s finish and make your ride feel and look new year-round!

At 5 Star Auto Detailing, we take immense pride in being the top expert in auto detailing in Rochester, MN. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about our services!