Clay bar abrasiveness

[james751993]

Hey Mike and everybody else,

Hope you all had a great Easter!
My question is, are clay bars inherently abrasive? In other words, does the clay have abrasives within it to help it clean or is marring caused by all the nasties it picks up off the paint? The reason I ask is because I have read that clay bars in fact do have abrasives added and simply level off contaminants to the level of the paint. It was my understanding that the contaminants get pulled out because of its sticky nature...

Looking forward to your responses,
James

 

[Eldorado2k]

Claybars pull the contaminants off.
Clay alternatives aka claymitts, clay towels & clay sponges level off/shave the contaminants to leave a smooth surface.

 

[FUNX650]

My question is, are clay bars inherently
abrasive? In other words, does the clay
have abrasives within it to help it clean...

The reason I ask is because I have read
that clay bars in fact do have abrasives

and simply level off contaminants to the
level of the paint. It was my understanding
that the contaminants get pulled out because
of its sticky nature...

Yes, Automotive Clays contain abrasives;
and detergents.

•Does Clay pull (out) or shear (off)
contaminates?
-The answer, IMO, is yes...and...no:
depends on the type of contaminates,
among other variables.


•Automotive Clays stated use is to remove
above surface contaminates. If it happens
to completely pull out some contaminates,
instead of leaving some shards of sheared
contaminates embedded below the surface:
so much the better—wouldn’t you agree?

-Just remember that wherever contaminates
are completely pulled out, a hole/void is created.
Those voids must be continually filled/protected,
via an automotive paint sealer—an LSP—to help
abate future damages to the paint system.


Bob

 

[Natron]

Yes to both, I believe. Clays have abrasives in them and the contaminants we pick up mar/scratch also.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Just to chime in....

Detailing clay contains a pulverized abrasive, not the kind that would scratch paint. As you rub clay over a surface with a clay lube, the abrasives abrade off the offending contaminants.

Because the clay is sticky, the contaminants stick to the clay.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's something I wrote that shares why to use clay....


How to create a high gloss finish


To create a high gloss finish whether you're working on a Toyota Prius, a Ford Focus or a Dodge Ram Pickup, it all starts with a smooth surface.

So the first step is to remove any contaminants that are bonded to the paint using either detailing clay or a product like the Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel.


Above surface bonded contaminants will often times be invisible to your eyes but you can feel them with your sense of touch. Lightly feel the surface of your car's horizontal surfaces using your clean hand. A second way to inspect your car's paint is by using the Baggie Test, that's where you feel the paint using a clean sandwich baggie over your hand.

If you feel any type of bumps on the paint this means you need to remove these contaminants before polishing and waxing.

A lot of times your car's paint will look shiny but you can increase the shine and the gloss by claying. Here's an example....

To most people that look at this show car, it looks like it has a show car finish and there's simply no way there could be anything wrong with the paint. But take a look at the contaminants I removed after claying only the hood scoop and a small portion of the driver's side of the hood.

Even the paint on show cars needs to be clayed.... if the a paint on a show car needs to be clayed... how about your car?

Mechanical Decontamination
Here's the paint on this car after machine decontaminating using the Flex 3401 with a Medium Grade Nanoskin Autoscrub pad. Before any polishing or waxing we've already increased the gloss by removing the contaminants. You can do this same thing for your car.

This paint is now decontaminated and ready for machine polishing which will amp up the gloss and shine even more...

On Autogeek.net

Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher

Nanoskin Autoscrub Medium Grade Pad – 6 inch

Nanoskin Autoscrub Fine Grade Pad – 6 inch

Detailer's Universal Clay Lubricant

:dblthumb2:

 

[fightnews]

^^^I've never gotten that much dirt off my car

 

[james751993]

Thanks for you clarification Mike.

Ill definitely have to check out out your write up. I just recently detailed my uncles car and he kept telling me clay is a waste of time and money... His opinion changed rather quickly when I showed him the once white meguiars clay bar I used.

James

 

[SWETM]

When the clay bar gets dirty or you have used it on a section you fold it to a new contaminants free surface. How about with the clay alternatives? I have got me clay block and clay mitt and a clay pad and wondering about how often I would clean it when use them. Often it's says to rinse it when dropping them and not how often to rinse clean them during the work.
For an example to a medium contaminants paint I use the clay pad on a DA and work on a 2'×2' section. Should I take the pad off and rinse off under the hose or in a bucket of water and attach it and work a new section? Or how often do you clean it and any tip on how to clean it on the fly?
The clay mitt and clay towel seems easier to clean them on the fly. And the clay block is a little more troublesome.

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Thank you so much for this information! I have had many combative discussions with abrasiveness of clay and Nanoskin or equivalent product. I always try to tell the person that with plenty of lube or soapy lubricant, scratching of your ride is minimal or DOES NOT happen. Your explanation describes what I have been trying to say for quite a while. Some still think claying/Nanoskin is scratching your ride regardless. I am in the disagree camp. Rather than get in any discussions I now just go with "do what you think is necessary to make your ride shine". Again, great article and thank you!

 

[Route246]

IMO, clay (real or synthetic) is one of the key differentiations between professional and/or serious hobbyist detailing vs standard weekend warrior car wash&wax process.

It wasn't until I started using clay (along with many professional products sold on AGO) that my detailing stepped up to results that I could be proud of to show to a professional detailer.