Know the Secret to a Perfect Shine: Clay Bar Detailing

Modern vehicles come from the factory with a shiny finish that has two visible layers: the base paint coat and the clear coat. The base paint coat provides the color and background while the clear coat adds depth and shine. In addition, the clear coat provides an extra measure of protection for the overall finish.

If you wash and wax your car, it will remove superficial dirt, dust, and other debris from the outer exterior of the clear coat layer. However, ordinary washing and waxing will not remove materials that are embedded in the clear coat.

For example, brake dust and sand particles can penetrate the clear coat and remain undisturbed by washing and waxing. While these tiny particles are not necessarily visible to the naked eye, they do reduce the overall shine and quality of the clear coat.

One way you can test for the presence of these embedded particles is to place your hand in a plastic bag, then rub your hand over the clear coat. You will likely notice the presence of tiny bumps under your fingertips; These bumps are, of course, the nearly invisible impurities in the clear coat.

Clay bar detailing is an effective means of removing the embedded particles from the clear coat. The clay encases and adheres to the tiny bits of debris and literally yanks them from the clear coat. If performed correctly, you can remove particles without leaving any traces on the clear coat.

Automotive detailing clay bars are composed of a special formulation and are not the same as ordinary modeling clay, for example. Also, detailing clay bars come in a variety of cleaning "grades."

Aggressive formulas will remove more material but could cause damage to the finish in the hands of the wrong person. That is why consumer users should stick to milder formulations to prevent scratching or removing too much beneficial material.

Before you can apply clay bar detailing, you will need to wash the vehicle's exterior finish thoroughly. Attempting to use a clay bar on a vehicle that you have not washed could cause scratching or make the problem worse.

Once you wash the vehicle, take a small pinch from the clay bar about the size of a golf ball. Flatten the piece of clay to form a pancake and fold it in half. Next, spray a small area where you wish to begin applying the clay detailing with a commercial clay bar detailing lubricant. The lubricant will allow the clay to slide easily over the finish without causing scratches.

Work the clay over the area you lubricated by sliding it in a variety of directions. This is important because the clay will do a better job of grasping the tiny foreign objects that are embedded at different angles into the clear coat.

After you have applied the clay bar to a given area, wipe off the remaining lubricant and any clay using a clean microfiber cloth. Move to the next area on your vehicle, and repeat the process of spraying lubricant and applying clay.

If you have questions about your vehicle's finish, be sure to contact Conn's Body Shop for help. Their team of experts can help make sure your car's finish is spotless and flawless.