Is clay Bar better than polish?

Clay is a substance used to remove contaminants that have bonded to a car's paintwork, whilst polish, on the other hand, is used to remove a layer of paint to make the paint glossier. Polishing should be performed after claying to remove any marring inflicted by the clay.

Should I polish or 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.

Can I polish instead of clay bar?

A Clay Bar won't remove scratches and swirl marks because they are defects in the surface of the paint. To remove these defects you must, instead, use an abrasive polish.

Should you polish or clay bar first?

First off, if you're going to polish, you should always clay first. If clay is not used before polishing, those embedded contaminants I mentioned can (and will) be dragged across the surface by a buffer or polishing pad – leaving you with swirl marks and holograms.

Do I need to polish after clay bar?

You don't have to polish afterwards but clay bars will mar the surface. You may not see or notice it but it is there. Depending on how fine a grade the clay is, you may have to do an intensive polish or just a one-step wax.

When to Compound vs Polish vs Clay

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.

Is Claying your car worth it?

Over time, these particles could permanently damage your paint. These particles also prevent wax and polish from working properly, which means you don't get as clear a shine. If you want to protect your paint job in the future and have your car looks its best, clay bar detailing is absolutely worth it.

Is Clay Bar better than wax?

Conclusion. In conclusion, these two products both are important to use on your vehicle, but simply put a cleaner wax is a protectant with the ability to clean some substances off your car, while the purpose of clay is to remove contaminants.

Should I polish or compound my car?

Rubbing compounds basically targets the uneven car's surfaces caused by scratches while on the other hand; polishing is preferably used for adding smoothness and shine to the car paint. Both will help in improving your car's quality but in a different way.

Does Claying a car 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.

Can you clay bar glass?

It's perfectly safe to use a clay bar on glass as long as you use plenty of lubrication such as a clay lubricant spray, or car shampoo and water. Then simply glide the clay bar across the glass in straight line motions, rinse the surface and dry.

Does claybar remove wax?

Removing your car's wax, sealant or coating prior to claying will help the clay bar fully remove the contaminants without being impaired by the paint protection layer. However, in most cases the clay will be capable of removing both the wax/ sealant/ coating, as well as the contaminants.

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.

In what order do you detail a car?

Can I just polish without compound?

I would just do polish and save compound for trouble spots. During my last paint correction I just used polish on all of my car and rather than use compound I used polish on a heavier pad which did the trick. If most of the scratches are faint swirls then a polishing pad and M205 should be enough.

Which is more aggressive polish or compound?

In simplistic terms, the difference between compounding and polishing is essentially the same difference between compound and polish: aggressiveness. Compounds are more aggressive than polishes.

Do I compound or polish first?

Polishing and compounding are both methods of correcting a car's paint by removing a layer of clear coat. Compounding removes scratches from the paint more quickly whilst, polishing refines the finish by cutting the paint slowly. Compounding is often followed by polishing to correct the paint fully.

Should I clay bar a new car?

My car is new, do I need to use a clay bar right away? Yes! Most new cars travel a long distances by ship, truck or rail to get to the dealer. They pick up a lot of nasty contamination along the way, like rail dust (metal particles from the wheels and track).

What surfaces benefit from a clay bar?

Clay bar is essentially used to remove the grunge from your car's paint surface, so that you can see a clear, bright finish. After claying your car's surface, the most noticeable benefit your car encounters is that of slickness and smoothness. Using a clay bar definitely makes waxing easier and more effective.

Can you clay bar a car then wax it?

If your paint surfaces feel smooth and glassy, then it's safe to skip the clay bar treatment and jump straight to polishing or waxing your car. However, if you feel any gritty textures as you rub the surface of your car, then you have some contaminants stuck in your finish.

How long does clay bar last?

clay bar will last you 18 months to 2 years if used on the same vehicle. If you buy clay in an 4 oz. bar, like Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay or BLACKFIRE Poly Clay, cut it in half and keep the unused portions moistened with lubricant in the storage case.

What does Meguiars clay bar do?

Meguiar's non-abrasive clay bar safely, easily and instantly removes paint overspray, fallout, environmental contaminants and more. With Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit, you will be able to make waxing easier and longer lasting, and safely remove bonded contaminants.

What does polish do for a car?

Polishing helps to mask imperfections on the surface so that scratches and small dents are less noticeable. Polishing also helps to reduce the appearance of water spots or weakened paint from the effects of acid rain. Polish and wax have to work together in order to give a car a top of the line shine.

Can claybar ruin paint?

Clay bars are abrasive so have the potential to damage paint by causing clear coat scratches, marring and swirls. You can minimise the risk by using a soft clay, plenty of lubrication and keep inspecting the clay for contaminants that may cause scratches. This also applies to clay mitts and blocks.