Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/441929
January / February 2015 18 Wow, what is a clay bar and why should use it on my perfectly waxed car? That's the same question I once asked myself until I used it. To most people, clay- ing is a special mysterious process that only profes- sional detailers use. Some of you know that it is used to remove contaminants for a very smooth finish but are afraid to try it. In this article, I will try and help you understand the pros and cons of clay baring. What does clay bar do? Your car is exposed to a myriad of airborne contami- nants ranging from acid rain to brake dust. Regular wash- ing doesn't always remove all of these leaving your car's finish with potentially damaging contaminants. This also leaves obstacles on your finish that prohib- its waxes and sealants from properly bonding, as well as leaving unsightly additions to the finish. Not only does clay baring prevent potential damage from most contami- nants, it also leaves your car with a smooth surface that allows your wax to properly adhere to the finish. Any professional detailer will tell you that the smoother he can get the finish free from any additions, the better the car will shine. What brand of clay bar do I use? There are many differ- ent brands and types of clay bars out there. The two most common ones available are Mothers and Mequiar's and both are good if used properly. For begin- ners, I suggest using a mild non-professional clay bar. The more aggressive pro- fessional product can mar your finish, making it much harder to polish out your car after claying it. The main difference between grades is that the more aggressive clay will remove contami- nants faster but at the risk of slightly marring the fin- ish, where as the milder consumer grade clay is very safe requiring more passes to remove heavy contami- nants from the paint. Tip: When it comes to clay bar better is not better. Mild- er clay bars may take longer, but will not mar your finish. Leave the professional clay bar to the professionals. How do I know if I need to Clay my car? The best way to tell is to spray a little water on your clean car, then run your fin- ger gently across the paint, if you feel anything other than a perfectly smooth surface your car should be clayed. Even brand new cars have been shipped and left out in lots where any number of contaminants can be on the finish. Most small contami- nants can not be seen with the naked eye, they just keep the car from having that per- fect shine. 5 steps to clay bar your car: 1 The first step is to throughly clean your car. Never clay bar a dirty car, all you will do is scratch and mar your paint with the dirt and dust. Once the car is clean and dry move some- where out of the sun. The best place is in a clean ga- rage out of the wind and sun, you don't want any more dust getting back on THE CLEAN CORNER By Spencer Cochran Clay Bar Your Car A NEW SMOOOOTH C leaning Tip: When it comes to clay lube, less is not more. Keep as much lubricant as possible so that the clay bar can do it job without marring the paint.