How To Use A Clay Bar

[DetailingDude]

** How To Use A Clay Bar (New Info) **

Editor’s Note:
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.

The Clay Bar, known to professional detailers as a surface preparation bar, removes all those contaminants listed above so that there is nothing on the paint except for wax. It is not a wax and it leaves no residue behind. It is safe on all paint types and does no damage to the paint.



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
(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.

 

[DetailingDude]

Clay Bar Guide

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 and Zaino'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. 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.

 

[qwall]

thanx for posting this, i printed that out and im gonna try it out and let you know how it worked

q

 

[DetailingDude]

You're welcome. My website will have a step-by-step full pictoral guide with a video option.

 

[MsSchroder]

I have printed this out too.
Question: After I claybar, then MUST I continue on and do the polish and/or wax immediately? Just in case I run out of time or motivation

 

[qwall]

just tell me when it'll be there and i'll check it out

q

 

[Justin_cv87]

When i get a vette im gona touch up the body with Zaino products, and refer to this on how to clay bar it. But there is one important peice of info u left out tho, the towel has to be 100% white cotton AMERICAN... this is because other countrys might have different standards for the cotton, and may not be 100%. Im not sure why this is, but i got it from the Zaino web site, and people have told me this... plus you should always buy American! :L

Thanks for the info! im sure it will help me out in the future.

Question: After I claybar, then MUST I continue on and do the polish and/or wax immediately? Just in case I run out of time or motivation

Im not sure, but id imagine that you should do it right after you clay bar. the purpose of clay baring is to get rid of chemicals, and tiny dirt particles. if you let it sit for a day, then tiny dust particles will settle on the car and gas or other fuemes will get on the paint again, so i would do it right afterwards just to be on the safe side.

 

[DetailingDude]

I have printed this out too.
Question: After I claybar, then MUST I continue on and do the polish and/or wax immediately? Just in case I run out of time or motivation

I would suggest, if it is your daily driver, that you continue with the process of waxing. If it is in the garage for the winter my next guide will cover some of the finer side of detailing before you actually get into waxing.

Also, use the clay bar on all your windows, chrome, wheels and mirrors.

 

[DetailingDude]

When i get a vette im gona touch up the body with Zaino products, and refer to this on how to clay bar it. But there is one important peice of info u left out tho, the towel has to be 100% white cotton AMERICAN... this is because other countrys might have different standards for the cotton, and may not be 100%. Im not sure why this is, but i got it from the Zaino web site, and people have told me this... plus you should always buy American! :L

Thanks for the info! im sure it will help me out in the future.

Sal is somewhat right. I should have put in there that you can sub out a MicroFiber towel... Those babies rock! Try to find the MF Towels with the 90,000 thread count. One of these days Sal will wake up.

 

[MsSchroder]

daily driver

it is not a daily driver. Maybe a couple of times a week. Sits in the garage the rest of the time.
I look forward to the rest of the "details" :L
and that's great info about claybar on the rest of the car. I would not have considered that.

 

[Denny Nelson]

microfiber tech towels

Detailing Dude: I purchased Ultra microfibers. I am removing all the wax with 3M Adhesive Cleaner, then claybar, then Zaino. Which step do I use microfiber instead of cotton towels [yes I got 100% American]. Denny Nelson

 

[97moneypit]

Thanks for the NFO DetailingDude......

After owning this 97moneypit for a month now, I am going to tackle the claybar and zaino tomorrow. Can't wait to see the results.

After the ordeal a cold glass of will be in order......

 

[DetailingDude]

Re: microfiber tech towels

Detailing Dude: I purchased Ultra microfibers. I am removing all the wax with 3M Adhesive Cleaner, then claybar, then Zaino. Which step do I use microfiber instead of cotton towels [yes I got 100% American]. Denny Nelson

First off I have to say that I am very glad that you are using 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner to de-wax your car. Zaino has been saying to use Dawn to do this step but the Alkalines in Dawn can strip the oils out of your black plastic trim.... (which is not a good thing).

Secondly, for all the steps I would use the MicroFiber Towels. The best ones for this step are the ones with the 90,000 thread count per sq in.

Finally, use your 100% Cotton Towels (Hand Towel Size) to wash your car and then use a 100% Cotton Towel (Bath Towel Size).

For none of the steps should you need to apply pressure with the exception of the clay bar.

Best of luck! Keep me posted on your progress.

 

[DetailingDude]

Thanks for the NFO DetailingDude......

After owning this 97moneypit for a month now, I am going to tackle the claybar and zaino tomorrow. Can't wait to see the results.

After the ordeal a cold glass of will be in order......

Hope you got your MicroFiber Towels too!!!

 

[97moneypit]

Hope you got your MicroFiber Towels too!!!

Nope, I have not purchased any of those yet. That would be ideal, but all I have are the 100% cotton towels. I am not sure if I will be able to get any of the 90,000 count microfiber towels locally. And I have to do the car today because the weather will start deteriorating tomorrow.

The cotton will be the best I can do.....

Thanks for the advice. Next time it will be with the microfiber.

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

You're welcome. My website will have a step-by-step full pictoral guide with a video option.

DetailingDude

What is the address to your web site ?
What's your background in this field?

I'm still learning so any info is great info

Thanks

 

[DetailingDude]

Read my quick intro below.

 

[Interceptor430]

Hey DetailingDude....
1. Do you use/like the product 'Black Chrome'?
2. Ref the Clay Bar - is this for clear coats only or will it work well
on enamels (i.e. work better than Dupont No. 7)?

 

[Remo]

Dupont #7?

I thought Dupont #7 was outlawed after it was discovered that one application could remove the clear coat, paint, primer and the first 1/32" of the fiberglass surface. This was a product designed to use on old British sports cars that had enamel paint that starting oxidizing 15 minutes after it was applied. It can even be used on wood if you are out of sandpaper.

DetailDude - help the people out. Tell them what a claybar is and how it works. Because frankly the Zaino Brothers web site is about as clear as "mud".

Regards - Remo

 

[DetailingDude]

I will add a whole new section to the clay bar guide and explain the purpose of the clay bar!!!!