Claybar FAQ
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I dropped my clay on the ground. Can I still use it?
- The safe answer is no. Clay will pick up small particles of grit from the ground that will scratch your paint.
If I use clay do I still need to polish my paint?
- Yes. Clay will not remove swirl marks, scratches or etching from acid rain or hard water spots. Paint polish is still required to remove these paint defects. If your paint is new or like-new, detailing clay will significantly reduce the amount of polishing required to keep your paint in good condition.
What is the best clay?
- What label do you like? There are only a couple manufactures of clay, and the technology is protected by U.S. patents. Clay is manufactured with different levels of abrasiveness and colors to suite different applications. There are some subtle difference in technology (plastic vs. elastic material) and the firmness of the material. In general, softer clays are safer and easier to use. A firm clay cleans better with a little more risk of scuffing or scratching.
Is it better to use soapy water or a spray lubricant?
- Both work equally well. If you want to do the job fast, use a bucket of soapy water. If you want to work inside or do a thorough job, use a spray lubricant. With a spray lubricant you can wipe down each panel as you go and feel for areas you missed.
How do I store my clay?
- If your clay did not come with a re-usable plastic container, store it in a plastic Ziploc bag.
Will clay remove my wax?
- In most cases, clay will "scrub off" wax protection. Some paint sealants are hard enough to withstand being cleaned with clay, but most are not.
Is it safe to clay using my buffer?
- Detailing clay was not designed for machine application. Even so, there are a couple foam buffing pads designed to hold a waffer of clay. These systems work with the Porter Cable 7424 dual-action system. The risk of paint damage is too high to be worth any potential time saving benefit.