Can you use a clay bar with water?

All clay bars require a lubricant. Some can be used with water, some work better with a quick detailer spray (liquid suspension of carnauba). Always follow the instructions as noted on the clay bar – if the instructions say to use water, then it has been formulated with this in mind.

What liquid can I use with a clay bar?

One can either use a quick detailer product or a water/automotive wash solution as a lubricant during the clay bar process. Here at AQS we fill a clean wash bucket with fresh water and automotive wash solution and use a fresh wash mitt to lubricate our surface and clay.

Can I use clay bar with soapy water?

An alternative to a spray detailing lubricant is good old soapy water. This is ideal if your paint is heavily contaminated. Be sure to rinse your wash mitt thoroughly and use a fresh bucket of soapy water, not what's left over from washing. After claying one or two body panels, your clay will begin to look dirty.

Do you clay bar wet or dry?

I have always dried the car before claying it. I have found if you clay the car when its wet, your towel for drying up the clay lube gets saturated faster and i find that more annoying than taking the time to dry it first personally. BUT if you plan to wash it again after claying, then you don't even need to wipe.

Do you need to use water with clay?

Most clay bars need a good lubricant to prevent scratches and marring, and water is usually not sufficient on its own. Using water on its own increases the risk of swirls dramatically and can cause significant damage to the clear coat. Always use car shampoo as well.

how to Clay bar your car with water?! (step 2 of 4)

Will a clay bar remove water spots?

Typically a washing, white vinegar and water solution, or a clay bar will not remove the water marks, they only work when it's a light residue on the surface. Unfortunately many water marks actually lightly etch in to the surface and in these instances you'll need a stronger option.

Do you wash car after clay bar?

The most common process is to wash and dry the car, then after drying the car, clay the car section-by-section and after claying a section, while the surface is still wet with your clay lubricant, use a microfiber polishing cloth to wipe that section dry.

Can you clay bar in the rain?

Members. Only really if your clay bar needs "special" fluid for lubrication, whereas the Bilt Hamber Autoclay I use doesn't. Anyway, the real reason not to clay in the rain is that you want to seal or wax the paint work immediately after claying, which you can't do if it's raining.

Does clay bar remove scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car's paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.

Do you wax after clay bar?

The Short Answer. A wax or sealant should always be applied to the car after using a clay bar. The clay bar will remove any old protection so a wax or sealant needs to be applied to ensure the paintwork is protected to help keep it clean and free from contaminants and UV rays.

Does clay bar damage clear coat?

A clay bar is an engineered, clay-like product that pulls contaminants like water spots, brake dust, metal dust, industrial pollution and road grit from your clear coat. When used with a clay lubricant, these contaminants come loose from your car and get stuck safely in the clay so they don't damage your clear coat.

Do you have to use clay bar lubricant?

Clay is an abrasive and will cause some marring (even with lubrication), so it is always a good idea to follow claying with some polishing. However, you can limit the amount of this marring by making sure the clay has some adequate lubrication between it and the surface of the paintwork.

Can you clay bar without polishing?

A fine grade clay bar on a soft clear coat can still leave plenty of marring that would require a light polish at the end. I guess if the marring doesn't stick out and bother you then you don't need to polish. You should always at least put down a coat wax after claying to protect the paint.

Can you clay bar glass?

It's perfectly safe to use a clay bar on your windshield. Clay bars are intended to be safely used on paint and glass is a surface that's much harder to scratch. There are times when a regular wash won't remove contaminants like bugs, overspray, and fallout. This is when a clay bar should be used.

Does clay bar leave swirl marks?

Swirl marks are potential with clay bar decontamination if you get a piece caught between the clay bar and the paint. At the same time, unless the paint is fairly hard and plenty of lube is used, clay will almost always leave at least some marring and swirls of its own.

What comes after clay Bar?

The detailer's rule of thumb is to always decontaminate the surface with a clay bar before putting on a new coat of wax, or polishing any exterior paintwork.

Does clay bar remove ceramic coating?

Many professional automotive detailers prefer to use surface clay bars over polishes, since clay bars do not remove any clear coating from your car's surface – as long as it is used with clay lubricant.

Do I need to dry car before Claying?

Before using a clay bar, your car should be washed and dried to remove a majority of contamination on your vehicle.

Can clay bar be reused?

To answer your question, yes you can reuse a clay bar. If you drop it on the ground it is done, throw it away. You will also want to throw it away if it starts to take on a grit to it. The key is to fold over your clay and knead it.

How do I get stubborn water spots off my car?

Mix 1 part regular white vinegar with 1 part distilled water (soft water is good too). It's better not to use regular tap water which contains minerals. Apply the vinegar/water solution with a spray bottle on to the affected paint finish. Allow mixture to work for up to 10 minutes.

Can water spots be buffed out?

Polishing your paint is the most effective method to remove water spots. This will remove all water spots and etchings as well as removing light scratches from your car's paint. Unfortunately, this is also the most advanced method and if not executed properly it may do more harm than good.