Use a Clay Bar
Revision as of 09:46, 13 February 2016 by Kipkis (Kipkis | contribs) (importing article from wikihow)
Auto detailing clay is used to remove dust, dirt, industrial fallout, acid rain, and other contaminants from your car's exterior surfaces. Known as "claying," the process involves removing particles that stick to the clay when it is rubbed along the car's surface. Claying is most commonly used on paint, but also works on glass, fiberglass, and metal. When done properly, claying is non-abrasive and will not damage your car.
Steps
- Wash and dry your car thoroughly to remove as much of the dirt, grime, and other contaminants from the surface as possible.
- Cut the clay bar into three pieces in order to get more use from each bar.
- Squeeze the clay in your hand until it becomes easily pliable. Roll it into a ball and flatten it into a circular shape that is about 3/4 inches (1.91 cm) thick.
- Spray clay lubricant generously over an area measuring approximately {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} by 2 feet (.61 m by .61 m). Water will also work as a lubricant.
- Slide the clay back and forth gently over the lubricated area using as little pressure as possible. Add more lubricant if the clay sticks while you're trying to slide it.
- You should hear and feel the clay picking up contaminants as it slides over the surface.
- Fold the clay in half when it becomes dirty and knead it over itself until you have a clean surface. Be sure to examine the clay periodically to make sure that it doesn't pick up any large particles that could scratch your car's paint when you're sliding the clay over the car's surface area.
- Wipe the lubricant off the car using a clean microfiber towel. The paint should be as smooth as a sheet of glass. If it isn't, clay the area again.
- Repeat the claying process, one section at a time, until the entire car has been clayed. Overlap new areas with surrounding areas already cleaned to ensure even coverage and cleaning.
- Apply a coat of wax or sealant, according to the instructions on the packaging, in order to protect the paint from corrosion that can form in the tiny holes that had been previously filled with contaminants before claying.
Tips
- Claying removes surface contaminants, but it will not remove swirls or scratches in your car's paint.
- A fine-grade clay bar is usually recommended. Larger grades of clay are more likely to cause marring or other damage to your car's paint.
- Be careful not to drop the clay. If you do drop it, discard that piece of clay and start again with a new piece so that you don't risk picking up contaminants from the ground and scratching your car's paint.
- Clay cars parked outside up to 4 times per year. Cars that are usually parked in a garage can be clayed 1 or 2 times per year.
- Using a spray on wax in between claying helps keep the wax sheen on the paint. The wax helps keep contaminants out of the paint.
- You can save time by using a nanoskin mitt.
Things You'll Need
- Auto detailing clay bar
- Clay lubricant
- Clean microfiber towels
- Auto wax or sealant
