
How to Use Auto Detailing Clay
How to Use Auto Detailing Clay
Clean With Detailing Clay!
If detailing clay is new to you, you might be thinking, What is detailing clay and what can detailing clay do for my car?" The short answer is that auto detailing clay removes from the paint what washing cannot. For the long answer, read on!
|
How Does Auto Detailing Clay Work?
Detailing clay glides along the surface of your paint and grabs anything that protrudes from the surface. The particle sticks to the clay and is therefore removed from your vehicle. The surface being clayed should always be wet with clay lubricant to prevent loose debris from scratching the vehicle.
Used properly, detailing clay is completely safe and nonabrasive.Its a much better option than polishing to remove these contaminants because clay doesn't remove any paint.
![]() |
![]() |
There are three different grades of clay currently available to the public. The first is a fine grade clay that removes light contaminants, generally used on well-maintained vehicles - Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay is a good example of a fine clay. Another is a medium grade detailing clay designed to clean the vehicle once or twice a year. This grade of clay removes wax along with anything else on the vehicle. We're talking CLEAN. Examples are Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay, , and BLACKFIRE Poly Clay.
Another option is an aggressive grade clay that is used on badly contaminated paint - this one will also increase your risk of claying-induced marring, so extra caution is necessary. Check out Meguiars Professional Detailing Clay if you need something more aggressive than your standard clay bar.
All detailing clay requires the use of a clay lubricant to prevent scratches as you gently rub the clay on the vehicle. Check out our Clay Page. There you will find all of the different clays and their coordinated clay lubricants.
What Does Detailing Clay Remove?Your vehicle is under constant assault from airborne pollutants. Brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits and rail dust all can adhere to your vehicle. These contaminants often contain metal particulates, which accounts for the ease with which they penetrate the clear coat to attack the paint below. These contaminants then oxidize, and they allow rust to spread beneath the clear coat. Tiny orange spots today, total paint system failure tomorrow! Detailing clay removes these contaminants in order to keep the paint healthy and vibrant. |
Do You Need To Clay?Chances are, the answer is yes. The surface of your vehicle faces assaults from the environment every time it's out in the weather. Each road trip brings new insults from roadway debris, exhaust films, and airborne pollution. They will splash, mar, and embed themselves in that beautiful paint job you've labored over. Vehicles can accumulate these contaminants any time, any place - even at the dealership.
Waxes and paint sealants will adhere better to clean paint and the shine will be more uniform and vibrant. Sounds like a win-win situation! |
To Use Clay:Clay is available in 2 to 8 oz. bars. Two ounces is enough to do three or four vehicles. On average, a vehicle will need to be clayed twice a year. At this rate, one 2 oz. clay bar will last you 18 months to 2 years if used on the same vehicle. If you buy clay in an 4 oz. bar, like Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay or BLACKFIRE Poly Clay, cut it in half and keep the unused portions moistened with lubricant in the storage case.
Follow these steps:
Clay Bar AlternativesThanks to the recent advancements of modern detailing, we now have an alternative to the original clay bar - one that can be washed and re-used hundreds of times and one that DOESN'T have to be thrown away if dropped! Synthetic clay bar alternatives, like the Speed Master Clay Towel, Speed Master Clay Mitt, Cobra Clay Mitt, or Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel - Fine Grade, are made using a rubberized coating that mimics the design of traditional clay bars and are found in a variety of different mediums - including pads for use on a polisher, wash mitts, and towels. Perfect for both professional detailers that are looking for an economical solution to the disposable clay bars, as well as detailing enthusiasts that value a good technological advancement, synthetic clay bars are a great alternative to your traditional detailing clay! Depending on your chosen medium, claying your car can be done the same time as washing your car! Using the Speed Master Clay Mitt allows you to remove insect remains, tar, sap, industrial fallout, and other above-surface contaminants using only your car wash as lubricant! While these clay bar alternatives are much easier than your traditional clay bars, some maintenance is required. Luckily, BLACKFIRE Synthetic Clay Mitt Cleaner will effortlessly separate all the contamination from your synthetic clay mitt and leave it clean and ready for your next decontamination - extending the life and keeping your synthetic clay work it's best!
Then use a pre-wax cleaner, like Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion, to fill in minor swirls and scratches prior to waxing. If your paint is in good condition, proceed to waxing. |