First, what is clay?
Clay is a malleable, clay-like substance that was originally used to by automotive paint shops to remove the overspray and surface contaminants. It comes in many colors and textures and is generally sold in 4-6 oz sizes.
What is its use?
Well, now we use it in much the same way it was originally intended although its scope of usefulness has expanded. What was once strictly a paint shop tool is now easily accessible to the detailing hobbyist. As consumers experiment with the clay, new uses keep arising. Here is a short list.
1. Removing paint overspray
2. Removing embedded particles from the paint surface
3. Removing mineral deposits from dried water
4. Removing minor etching from bird poo
5. Removing minor adhesive residue
6. Glass cleaning
What kind of particles can get embedded in the paint?
Typically, your car’s finish picks up all types of environmental fallout and contaminants. For new cars, it is rail dust from the long trip to your local dealer. Rail dust is a result of the metal on metal action of the train’s wheel on the track. Most common for road cars would range from metal particles from your brakes, insect impact and water spots. All forms compromise the integrity of your top coat which could leave other layers vulnerable to rust or other damage.
What are the benefits of claying?
Clay pulls the contaminants from the surface of your paint. The result will be a smooth-as-glass finish and better light reflection off your vehicles surface. Imagine looking at your reflection in a dusty mirror. You can see yourself, but you are a bit fuzzy. Clean the mirror and the reflection vastly improves. It works the same way with your paint.
By claying, you will also be “cleansing” the deeper surface of your paint. You will pull the metal shavings, industrial fallout and other contaminants from your finish. The indentations of the particles will still be there, because you are not polishing them down, you are pulling them out. A good synthetic or carnauba wax will fill and seal the imperfections from the elements leaving you with a protected and smooth surface.
How do I know if I need to clay?
Run your fingertips gently across the paint surface. Do you feel tiny bumps or roughness? If yes, you may want to clay. If your car is new from the dealer, this is the best time to clay. Although somewhat covered in transport, the surface of your new car will have picked up ocean salts from the boat ride and rail dust from the train ride to your dealer.
How do I clay?
There are two parts to a clay process; the clay and the lubricant. The clay often comes in a 4-6 oz rectangle. It is a good idea to cut it into three parts. If you drop your piece of clay, throw it out. It is pretty sticky and you don’t want to drag what it picked up across your paint.
Claying is a pretty easy process. Of course, you start with a clean car. After that, you simply spray a 2”x2” area with the lubricant and run the clay over the surface. It should glide nicely. I like to go in a back and forth motion. For really rough surfaces I repeat with a side to side. Be sure to use enough lubricant. If you don’t, the clay will grab and scuff your paint. In most cases, you will only need to re-clay that area, but if you really scuffed it, you might need to polish. The lubricant is a bit of a balance. Use too much and the clay is less effective. Use too little and you scuff the paint. As your clay becomes dirty, pull, stretch then fold it to a clean side.
After you have clayed a section, wipe it down with a MF cloth. Run your fingers over that section. Does it feel smooth? Are the tiny bumps gone? If no, hit it again with the clay.
What clay won’t do.
1. It won’t fix swirls, scratches or spider webbing
2. If properly used, it won’t scratch
3. It won’t polish
4. It won’t abrade the surface
So there you have the basics of clay. I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask away.
Clay is a malleable, clay-like substance that was originally used to by automotive paint shops to remove the overspray and surface contaminants. It comes in many colors and textures and is generally sold in 4-6 oz sizes.
What is its use?
Well, now we use it in much the same way it was originally intended although its scope of usefulness has expanded. What was once strictly a paint shop tool is now easily accessible to the detailing hobbyist. As consumers experiment with the clay, new uses keep arising. Here is a short list.
1. Removing paint overspray
2. Removing embedded particles from the paint surface
3. Removing mineral deposits from dried water
4. Removing minor etching from bird poo
5. Removing minor adhesive residue
6. Glass cleaning
What kind of particles can get embedded in the paint?
Typically, your car’s finish picks up all types of environmental fallout and contaminants. For new cars, it is rail dust from the long trip to your local dealer. Rail dust is a result of the metal on metal action of the train’s wheel on the track. Most common for road cars would range from metal particles from your brakes, insect impact and water spots. All forms compromise the integrity of your top coat which could leave other layers vulnerable to rust or other damage.
What are the benefits of claying?
Clay pulls the contaminants from the surface of your paint. The result will be a smooth-as-glass finish and better light reflection off your vehicles surface. Imagine looking at your reflection in a dusty mirror. You can see yourself, but you are a bit fuzzy. Clean the mirror and the reflection vastly improves. It works the same way with your paint.
By claying, you will also be “cleansing” the deeper surface of your paint. You will pull the metal shavings, industrial fallout and other contaminants from your finish. The indentations of the particles will still be there, because you are not polishing them down, you are pulling them out. A good synthetic or carnauba wax will fill and seal the imperfections from the elements leaving you with a protected and smooth surface.
How do I know if I need to clay?
Run your fingertips gently across the paint surface. Do you feel tiny bumps or roughness? If yes, you may want to clay. If your car is new from the dealer, this is the best time to clay. Although somewhat covered in transport, the surface of your new car will have picked up ocean salts from the boat ride and rail dust from the train ride to your dealer.
How do I clay?
There are two parts to a clay process; the clay and the lubricant. The clay often comes in a 4-6 oz rectangle. It is a good idea to cut it into three parts. If you drop your piece of clay, throw it out. It is pretty sticky and you don’t want to drag what it picked up across your paint.
Claying is a pretty easy process. Of course, you start with a clean car. After that, you simply spray a 2”x2” area with the lubricant and run the clay over the surface. It should glide nicely. I like to go in a back and forth motion. For really rough surfaces I repeat with a side to side. Be sure to use enough lubricant. If you don’t, the clay will grab and scuff your paint. In most cases, you will only need to re-clay that area, but if you really scuffed it, you might need to polish. The lubricant is a bit of a balance. Use too much and the clay is less effective. Use too little and you scuff the paint. As your clay becomes dirty, pull, stretch then fold it to a clean side.
After you have clayed a section, wipe it down with a MF cloth. Run your fingers over that section. Does it feel smooth? Are the tiny bumps gone? If no, hit it again with the clay.
What clay won’t do.
1. It won’t fix swirls, scratches or spider webbing
2. If properly used, it won’t scratch
3. It won’t polish
4. It won’t abrade the surface
So there you have the basics of clay. I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask away.
