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 comes after clay bar on a car?

7: Protect the car's paint after clay bar treatment

Always follow up with paint sealants or wax when claying your car. The wax will prevent new surface contaminants from forming on your car's paint. When you use a clay bar, essentially, you are cleaning off the clear coat of the paint of the car.

Do I have to do anything after clay bar?

You don't have to polish afterwards but clay bars will mar the surface. You may not see or notice it but it is there. Depending on how fine a grade the clay is, you may have to do an intensive polish or just a one-step wax.


Do you polish or wax after clay bar?

When Should You Use The Clay Bar? 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.

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.


How To: Detailing Flow Chart - Detailing Steps - Chemical Guys Car Care



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.

What are the steps in detailing a car?

12 steps of detailing
  1. Step 1: Wheels. Always, always, always start with the wheels. ...
  2. Step 2: Pre-Cleaner, Stage One. Always use a pre-cleaner. ...
  3. Step 3: Snow Foam, Stage Two. ...
  4. Step 4: The All-Important Two-Bucket Method Contact Wash. ...
  5. Step 5: The Decontamination Stage. ...
  6. Step 6: Drying. ...
  7. Step 7: Polishing. ...
  8. Step 8: Glaze.


What's better than clay bar?

Clay mitts provide the same services as a clay bar, but they are much easier to use. A clay mitt is exactly what it sounds like and is much more convenient to use than a clay bar. The mitt slides over your hand and will cover a much larger area surface than a clay bar and with a lot less motion.


What happens if you dont wax after clay bar?

Claybar leaves marring streaks on your paint. You need to polish to get rid of it.

How many times can you clay bar a car?

You can, therefore, clay bar it at least 2 to 3 times a year. But say you drive your car daily, maybe to work, or do groceries, then you can clay bar it as often as possible. Even if you do it at least thrice every six months, there's no problem. But your location can also determine how often you need to clay your car.

Do you rinse car after clay bar?

Now while the car is still wet with rinse water but free from any loosened dirt or abrasive particles, now use detailing clay and a clay lubricant or your car wash solution by dipping your clay bar into your bucket of car wash soap to clay the various panels on the car and then give the car a final rinse before drying.


What comes first iron remover or clay bar?

With that being said, the two processes often compliment each other when decontaminating a vehicle. Since the iron remover is easy and only requires you to spray and rinse, most people choose to do this first. Once completed, the clay bar can help remove anything that remains.

Can you clay bar your car too much?

Contrary to popular belief, you should not and do not need to clay your car “every wash,” “every month,” “every year,” or “every whenever-you-feel-like-it.” Clay is abrasive. Therefore, claying causes marring that will (unless polished) be detrimental to your car's shine and dirt-repelling abilities.

Do you wash your car before or after clay bar?

Does this come before or after I wash my car? Claying should always come after a good wash. You want to get as much of the dirt out as possible, by scrubbing and brushing and scrubbing some more. Your choice of cleaning agent will also ensure that your vehicle is ready for the use of a clay bar.


When should you not clay bar a car?

If your car has been thoroughly cleaned, polished, protected and the protection has been regularly reapplied, you may not need to clay before polishing. There are three different grades of clay.

Does clay bar ruin ceramic coating?

Stay away from detailing clay

Using a clay bar on a ceramic-coated surface can irritate the coating, leaving tiny scratches that will be visible over time.

What is 3 step detailing?

The basic premise of a 3-step job involves compounding painted surfaces, then polishing/glazing it, then finally waxing or sealing it. While this is usually a legitimate restoration procedure, this should not be done often, as the compounding stage will inevitably thin out the clear coat too much.


What order should I wash my car in?

Steps to a Great Wash
  1. Step 1: Spray down the whole car. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean the wheel wells and tires. ...
  3. Step 3: Starting on the top begin washing your car. ...
  4. Step 4: Towel dry your car working in long sweeping motions that follow the contours of the car body. ...
  5. Step 5: Treat special areas as needed.


How do detailers get cars so clean?

The common exterior process includes: Washing and Drying – Unlike a car wash, detailing is done by hand. The first step involves spraying the car with specialized spray that is high-powered, followed by thorough hand washing on the rims of the car, door jambs, glass and all exterior parts that need cleaning.

Does clay bar create swirls?

Swirl marks can happen during a clay bar treatment if the detailer isn't attentive to keeping the bar clean and free of major debris, doesn't use enough lube, or chooses the wrong type of clay for the paint. Clay barring is the ultimate way to remove paint contamination, but must be done thoughtfully and with care.


Can I clay bar my windows?

Glass does not need a special clay bar, and most clay bars are safe for glass. The only bars I would not recommend for glass are "heavy" or "aggressive" clay bars. They may leave marring on the glass and need to be polished afterwards. With any clay bar, make sure to use the proper clay lubricant.

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.