Can I clay bar with just water?

All clay bars require a lubricant. Some can be used with water, some work better with a quick detailer spray (liquid suspension of carnauba). Always follow the instructions as noted on the clay bar – if the instructions say to use water, then it has been formulated with this in mind.

Does car have to be dry to clay bar?

HOW TO USE A DETAILING CLAY BAR. Firstly you must ensure the car has been washed throughly, if this is going to be your first time claying we would suggest you also fully dry the car at this stage too, if you need more information on how to correctly wash you vehicle be sure to read our car wash detailing guide.

Can you use soapy water as a clay bar lubricant?

Yes, soapy water makes a very decent clay lubricant! It's by far the cheapest way to do it and you likely already have some in stock, so you can mix it up right now. After you wash the car, mix the same proportions of car shampoo and water in a clean bucket or spray bottle and apply generously to the surface.

Is there a liquid clay bar?

Liquid Clay bar works well when used correctly. Use on a wet surface and rinse immediately after doing a small section at a time. Do the whole car this way and it works great. Wash after if needed to get any residue off.

Can I use clay bar without polishing?

The fact is, you should never clay bar your car and stop there. Clay bars are abrasive and will mar your paint while they remove the contaminants. You need to polish the paint afterward in order to maintain a perfect finish.

How to Clay Bar Paint to Remove Contaminants

What happens if you don't clay bar before polishing?

If not for clay, contaminants would be dislodged in polishing. These contaminants make refining paint more difficult (and can even make it impossible altogether).

Can you clay bar and not wax?

The Short Answer. A wax or sealant should always be applied to the car after using a clay bar. The clay bar will remove any old protection so a wax or sealant needs to be applied to ensure the paintwork is protected to help keep it clean and free from contaminants and UV rays.

What works better than a clay bar?

NanoSkin AutoScrub Fine Grade Towel is a really good alternative to clay bar. I find these towels work pretty well at removing a lot of the lighter contamination and it's definitely much quicker, less fatiguing than using a clay bar. It's much easier to hold and covers more of the panel due to the larger surface area.

What can I use instead of a clay bar?

Will clay Bar take off water spots?

Claying your paint will remove most embedded contaminants like mineral deposits, tar, tree sap, iron, and other contaminants. However, claying the paint may not remove water spots that have been etched into the paint or have been on your paint for an extended period of time.

What is a good clay bar lubricant?

We've chosen Mothers California Gold Instant Detail Cleaner as our best overall clay bar lubricant. This product is tried and tested, provides excellent lubrication, and leaves a shiny finish. If you're working off a tight budget, then check out our value pick, Quik Detailer By Meguiar's.

Do I need to wash before clay bar?

Before using a clay bar, your car should be washed and dried to remove a majority of contamination on your vehicle. The more contaminated the paint is the more likely imperfections can be added during the clay bar process.

Does clay bar remove clear coat?

A clay bar is an engineered, clay-like product that pulls contaminants like water spots, brake dust, metal dust, industrial pollution and road grit from your clear coat. When used with a clay lubricant, these contaminants come loose from your car and get stuck safely in the clay so they don't damage your clear coat.

Can you damage car with clay bar?

Running a block of abrasive plastic over your car's paint job might not sound like a good idea, but clay bar treatments will not damage your car's paint when they are performed correctly.

Does clay bar remove scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car's paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.

Will clay bar remove rust spots?

Once the surface has been cleaned, in combination with the dry cleaner, use a Clay Bar that can act directly on the rust and remove it. The Clay Bar is very easy to use: from the original bar, just take a piece off and mould it into a flat shape that can act effectively on the bodywork.

What is the next step after clay bar?

When you're finished claying your car, you may need to wash it to remove any lubricant film. If you plan to use a pre-wax cleaner polish, it will remove clay residue so there's no need to wash. Last but not least, after using clay, seal your freshly cleaned paint with your choice of wax or sealant.

What is claybar made of?

Contrary to its namesake, clay bars are not really made out of clay. Instead, they are made from a blend of man-made materials like polymer rubber and synthetic resins.

Does clay bar remove wax?

Re: Will clay bar remove wax or sealant? Yes it will.

What comes first clay bar or wax?

The detailer's rule of thumb is to always decontaminate the surface with a clay bar before putting on a new coat of wax, or polishing any exterior paintwork. Those foreign particles block wax from sticking to the paint, making it last for a shorter time and not shine as bright.

How do you get rid of swirl marks?