Claying and How To Detail with Clay

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Summary: Clay is a great way to remove surface contaminants from your paint before performing paint correction or applying a wax.

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What is detailing clay?

Detailing clay is used for the process of decontaminating the paint, by removing things like tar, sap, iron shavings, and industrial fallout. These contaminants often get embedded into or stuck onto the paint such that they can’t be removed with a regular wash. The clay, with the help of a lubricant, is able to grab onto these contaminants and dislodge them from the paint, leaving it cleaner, smoother, and thus more reflective.

Why should I consider using clay?

Contamination makes your paint less glossy, and will reduce the ability of your wax / sealant / coating to adhere to the paint, thereby reducing its performance. Some of these contaminants, if left to sit on the paint long enough, can cause permanent damage to the clear coat. Claying is a key step in the decontamination process to make your paint look its best. If they are not removed before correcting the paint with polishing abrasives, the contaminants can get broken loose during polishing and induce new scratches!

What is the difference between a clay bar and a clay mitt or towel?

Traditional clay comes in a block or bar that can be pulled apart into smaller pieces. As the clay is rubbed across the paint, contaminants are pulled off and trapped in the clay itself. As the surface gets loaded with contaminants, the clay bar can be folded over or kneaded like dough to bury the contaminants deeper inside the clay and expose a clean surface that can accept more contaminants. Clay mitts and towels use a synthetic clay that pulls contaminants off the paints in the same way as traditional clay, but does not hold onto them as strongly. This allows the contaminants to be rinsed away while still being grabby enough to pull most contaminants from the surface.

Traditional clay pros:

More affordable
Available in fine / medium / aggressive grades
Shapeable for working tight areas

Traditional clay cons:

Durability; must be thrown away once fully loaded with contaminants
Cannot be washed out
Must be thrown away if dropped on the ground
Smaller surface area is less efficient in decontaminating large panels

What’s synthetic clay?

Synthetic clay is more expensive, but can be as many as 50 times depending on the product. The clay surface can be washed off to remove contaminants as they accumulate, and if it is dropped on the ground it can simply be washed off and reused. The larger format can decontaminate large panels like hoods and roofs more efficiently. Synthetic clays are typically not available in aggressive grades like traditional clay.

Synthetic clay pros:

Durability
Can be washed if dropped on the ground
Larger formats are more efficient for large panels

Synthetic clay cons:

More expensive
Less aggressive than the most aggressive traditional clays
Less flexible for tight areas

How do I know when to clay my paint?

One common way to check for contamination is the “baggie test”. Take a thin plastic bag (the thinner the better) and run it across the paint with your hand inside. If the bag snags against the paint, then the paint is contaminated.

How do I use a clay bar or synthetic mitt / towel?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions! In addition to the clay, you will need a lubricant. This can be a dedicated clay lube product, a rinseless wash, or your soapy car wash solution. The clay needs to be able to glide smoothly across the paint. Make sure the paint is washed and dried. It is often recommended to use chemical decontamination products before claying. These include iron removers, tar removers, and bug removers. The more contaminants you can remove chemically, the less there is for the clay to remove, and therefore fewer opportunities for the paint to become marred or scratched from the claying process. Bugs and tar can sometimes be removed with an all purpose cleaner (APC), but bonded iron contaminants like brake dust, rail dust, and industrial fallout need a dedicated iron remover that dissolves them.

If using synthetic clay, you typically need to break it in before using on paint. This is typically done by rubbing the lubricated clay against a section of glass for a few passes. If using a clay bar, break off a piece and flatten it out so you can hold it with 3 or 4 fingers. Spray the paint and clay with your lubricant, and start rubbing the clay against the paint with light pressure and in straight lines. If you feel resistance, use more lubricant! You should be able to feel (and sometimes hear) the contaminants being pulled off the paint. The more contaminated the paint is, the more you’ll feel it. Even if you don’t feel a lot of grittiness, that doesn’t mean the clay isn’t working! You should generally resist the urge to use elbow grease. The harder you press, the more risk you run of marring or scratching the paint. It is better to take multiple light passes than to use lots of pressure. Work in small areas, and be mindful of the lubricant drying onto the paint if you are working in direct sunlight. As the clay does its job, it will glide over the paint more easily without any gritty feeling. After each section, check the surface of the clay. If using a traditional clay bar, knead the clay until you expose a clean section and keep working. If using a synthetic clay, rinse off the surface with your wash bucket, a hose, or your bottle of clay lubricant. If there are no clean parts of the clay left, throw that piece away and break off a new piece. If you drop your piece of clay on the ground, throw it away! When done claying, spray the clay with some lubricant and store it in an airtight container or ziploc bag.

Frequently Asked Detailing Clay Questions

Do I need to use an iron remover before claying?

You don’t absolutely need to use one but it reduces the likelihood of marring during the claying process. Some iron removers can be used as a clay lubricant! Check with the manufacturer of the iron remover first.

Does claying scratch the paint?

Claying can scratch the paint but it is not guaranteed to happen. If you use good chemical decon products beforehand, use a good clay and lubricant, and a good technique, you can minimize the amount of marring / scratching.

Do I need to polish after claying?

No, but polishing will remove any marring that may have been caused by claying.

Can I clay my glass?

Yes! Claying is a great way to decontaminate glass as a preparation for a glass sealant or coating.

Do I have to rinse or wash the car again after claying?

It is a good idea to remove any residue that may have been left behind. If using a rinseless wash for your clay lubricant, it does not need to be rinsed off, just dried.

How often can / should I clay my paint?

Since there is a chance of marring / scratching each time you clay, it is not recommended to do it frequently. Unless you live in an area with extreme amounts of environmental contamination, you shouldn’t have to clay more than once or twice a year.

How do I choose between a synthetic mitt / towel / block?

This comes down to personal preference, similar to wash mitts vs pads.

Additional Resources

3D has a great article about clay bars, towels, and pads

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