How do I know if I need to clay?
Run your hand across
the surface of your car, paying special attention to the front end and
lower panels. If you can detect rough areas or gritty or bumpy spots,
your car s paint is contaminated and you need to clay.
What is a Clay Bar?
Clay bars have been
used by professional, car enthusiasts and professional detailers for
years. Clay bars offer a superior alternative in removing the rough
surfaces contaminants that can settle in and on your paint. Our Super
Premium bars are non-abrasive and are capable of safely and quickly
remove surface contamination, rail dust, industrial fallout and
overspray by pulling if off the surface. Claying is a process to
decontaminate the paint, and restoring that smooth feeling to your
paint.
What can contaminate your vehicle surface?
1. Brake dust - particles produced
from the friction of brake pads rubbing against the rotor. This metal
on metal friction disperses tiny particles of bare metal into the air
and on the highways, freeways and virtually everywhere. Constant
movement of vehicle propels it in to the air and dispenses it over the
vehicles surface.
2. Industrial fallout - another
word for pollution, industrial fallout is a by- product of our
surroundings. It comes from industrial businesses and factories as
well as diesel vehicles and even airplane fallout.
3. Rail dust
- produced from the friction of train wheels against railroad tracks.
Over 75% of new vehicles are shipped by
rail. Nearly all new vehicles are contaminated as soon as they leave
the factory.
When Should You Clay Bar?
You can clay bar
your car as often as you wish or simply prior to waxing or polishing
your vehicle. To acquire the best smooth as glass touch and feel
result it is ideal to always clay bar your vehicle prior to
application of wax, glaze, polish or paint sealant.
How is clay different from polishing or
buffing?
Many people have
never hear of clay baring because for a while clay bars were only
available to professionals. Claying is less abrasive then polishing
or buffing the surface. Claying actually pulls out foreign particles
and contaminants that have embedded themselves in the paint.
Polishes are intended
more to be used as cleaners for paint, such as cleaning the paint,
filling swirls and scratches, restoring and maximizing shine by
smoothing over sharp edges.
Do I need a clay lubricant?
Yes Yes Yes ! Clay
bars absolutely need some kind of lubricant to work correctly.
Without lubricant clay bars cannot move freely over the surface and
work as intended. Without proper lubrication a clay bar will catch on
contaminants, pull them across the surface and possible scratch or mar
paint. Clay bars are such intended as to work with proper clay bar
lubricants. Clay lubes are formulated to lubricate the surface
allowing the clay bars to glide more freely across a surface.
Lubricants aid the clay bar in lifting particles and alls the clay bar
to move freely from raking roughly across the paint and causing
possible scratches.
Can you use soap as a lubricant?
No! Lubricants are
formulated to work with the clay bar and will not impact the integrity
and cleaning ability of a clay bar. Shampoos and car wash soaps may
damage the clay bar leading to deterioration, which in turn will
limits its cleaning ability and shorten its life span.
Specially formulated
clay lubricants are formulated with uniquely engineered surface
lubricants to allow for superior gliding of the clay bar and provide a
slippery protective layer that clay bars can safely glide across.