When it comes to taking your car’s finish to the next level, a clay bar can work wonders—but only if it’s used properly
You want your ride to look its best, but when you walk into the auto parts store, the wall of detailing products is big enough to make you dizzy. Not only that, but it might not be clear what some of those things actually do. And so we’ll focus here on one of the lesser-understood: the clay bar.
For this, I went out to the garage to ask Fred Bottcher — a.k.a. my husband, and our household’s auto detailer, for whom no vehicle can be too clean or too shiny. Fred will walk you through the process in the attached video, but we’ll include some background and do’s-and-don’ts here as well.
What does a clay bar do?
A clay bar removes minute particles on the paint and restores its smooth finish. You’ll immediately notice the difference in how smooth it feels to the touch, and how well it reflects light when it’s out in the sun.
That said, it’s not a miracle worker. It won’t restore the shine on faded paint, and it won’t repair chips or scratches. It also doesn’t protect the finish — you’ll want to use wax or polish afterwards. And it should not be used on a matte finish, which requires matte-specific products and methods (and that’s something to think about if you’re considering a vehicle with that kind of paint). Clay bars shouldn’t be used on vehicle wraps, either.
What comes with the clay bar?
The first time out, you’ll want to buy a clay bar kit, which usually includes the clay, a detailing spray that acts as a lubricant, and a microfibre towel. Afterwards, you’ll usually run out of one item before the others, so you can just buy the items you need. Clay bars from specialty detailing shops can come in different formulations from mild/soft to aggressive. Unless you have heavier oxidation and you know exactly what you’re doing, get the mild bar. It may take a bit longer to get the job done, but there’s less risk of marring the finish that could happen with the aggressive bars.
How do you use the clay bar?
First of all, wash the vehicle — it needs to be clean, with no dirt or grit on it. Knead the bar until it softens a bit, and flatten it to increase the surface area. Working on one area at a time, spray liberally with the detailing spray, and then rub the clay bar over it. Go back and forth in the direction of the panel, not in a circle, and keep the area well-lubricated with the spray. Wipe the area dry with a clean microfibre towel, and then move on to the next area and start the process again.
What are some “do’s” with a clay bar?
- Wash the car thoroughly before you start, and rinse it well. If there’s any dirt on the surface, it’ll get pushed against the paint by the clay.
- Always make sure the area is very wet with detailing spray. This acts as a lubricant.
- Knead the bar often as you use it, and flatten it out to increase its surface area. It’s called a clay “bar,” but you actually use it as a wide and relatively thin piece of clay.
- Just as with waxing, it’s best to do this inside your garage or on a cloudy day. If it’s sunny, the detailing spray could quickly dry up.
- You can use a clay bar more than once, but examine it carefully before you reuse it. If it looks dirty, toss it and use a new one.
- Once you’ve finished, you can do a final touch-up if you like by spraying the vehicle with the detailing spray and then wiping it with a clean microfibre towel. From there, you can use a wax or polish if you like.
What are some “don’ts” with a clay bar?
- Never use the clay bar on a dry surface. Always make sure you use enough detailing spray.
- Don’t use the clay bar with water, soap, wax, or anything other than the detailing spray that came with the kit.
- If you drop the clay bar on the ground, throw it away. You’ll never get out all the little dirt particles it picks up — but your paint will know they’re there.
- Don’t move the clay bar in circles. Always go straight back and forth along the body panel.
- Don’t press too hard—it’s better to go over a panel several times with a light touch.
How often should I use a clay bar?
Every six months is about average for a clay bar treatment, although you’ll likely want to do it more in higher-pollution areas. Don’t worry about overdoing it, though. As long as you’re using a mild clay bar, on a spotlessly-clean car, with lots of detailing spray and a clean microfibre towel, you can do it as often as you like — basically, whenever you think your car should use a freshening-up. At least, that’s what Fred says, and judging by how good his cars look, he knows what he’s talking about.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram ,Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.