Claying

Claying your car

Spraying clay with claying lubricant Claying is an effective way of removing stubborn contaminants without machine polishing.

Do I need to clay?

Wash your car as normal. If the surface feels rough and gritty, then you have particles contaminating your paintwork.

Polishing clay removes surface dirt and debris, but does not repair the paint surface itself. If you have other paintwork issues, such as swirling or scratches then you might want to opt for machine polishing.

Claying is a great preparation before machine polishing, as it removes those imperfections which could cause further damage. If your paintwork is in good condition apart from the grittiness, then claying is the perfect way of removing these imperfections.

How does claying work?

Claying is a two part process. The first part is the application of the claying lubricant, which loosens the contaminants and protects the paintwork from the stickiness of the clay. Next the clay is applied, with a gentle rocking motion and a mild finger pressure, and this picks up the loosened debris, leaving the surface smoother and cleaner. The clay is softer than the paint surface so can attach to the debris easily, and lift it away from and out of the paint surface. This may need to be repeated a few times on each area.

How to use clay:

claying your car Firstly it is important to remember that the clay bar is not exactly like clay, it is very sticky and must only be used with an appropriate clay lubricant.

Claying should be completed after washing your car so that the majority of the non-bonded contaminants are already gone. This also reduces the risk of marring as the clay is less likely to stick to, and damage, clean paintwork.

As with most products, work on a small area at a time, working from the top down (cleaner areas first). Spray the area with clay lubricant liberally, and spray the clay as well. Work the clay gently into the area, using a slight rocking motion and a gentle pressure. Keep applying the clay lubricant to both the clay and the car.

Once the paintwork feels smooth to the touch, wipe away the excess lubricant using a microfibre cloth.

Depending on the amount of contaminants in your paintwork, you may already notice your clay becoming dirty. This is the clay picking up those bonded contaminants.

clay with residue You need to regularly knead the clay to find a clean surface, as the dirty surface may contain sharp particles such as brake dust, which could damage your paintwork. You can knead the clay by rolling it into a ball and then flattening it.

Regular kneading keeps the clay warm and flexible, the optimum consistency for removing contamination. This also helps avoid marring – the production of small scratches – which can occur from using contaminated or brittle clay.

If you drop your clay, do not attempt to knead it and carry on, as it will have picked up far too many contaminants. It’s best to throw that clay away and continue with a fresh piece.

Once the area you have been working on is smooth, and you have wiped away the residue then you can spray the next section and continue the process.

After you have completed claying your car, re-wash to move the lubricant film and any residue. Then we would recommend that you wax and seal your clean and uncontaminated paint, offering it protection from the elements.