While chemical decontamination removes most contamination, traces may be left behind. Using a clay bar or synthetic clay to remove specific contaminants like paint overspray is the best method. Clay bars are in three grades: fine, medium, and aggressive. Medium-grade clay is the most common and the right choice for removing bonded contamination from most paint. Fine-grade clay is an excellent choice for a well-maintained paint job that has previously been polished or protected with a ceramic coating. Aggressive-grade clay is usually only suitable for use on neglected paint or cleaning up accidental paint overspray.
Clay Bar: Using a clay bar is an essential step of external car detailing if it’s been more than a year since the last paint decontamination. The material usually comes in 100-gram and 200-gram packages. Bars can be divided into smaller pieces to make handling easier. Another benefit of using smaller amounts of clay is that you won’t need to discard the whole bar if it’s accidentally dropped on the ground. Each clay bar can usually clean a minimum of two cars and even more if they don’t have heavy contamination buildup.
Synthetic Clay: Instead of lifting and trapping the contamination, synthetic clay works by shaving off the contamination off the surface. Multiple grades of synthetic clay are available. Be cautious because fine-grade synthetic clay is closer to a medium-grade clay bar regarding the possibility of it marring the paint. Paint decontamination takes less time with synthetic clay because it doesn’t require kneading after each car panel like a clay bar. Another benefit is the ability to rinse synthetic clay clean if it’s accidentally dropped on the ground.
Expert Tip: Only use detailing clay in straight lines and clean the paint in two different directions. It’s essential to use the clay in both side-to-side and front-to-back motions to remove the most contamination. Always rewash the car after using detailing clay to remove any contamination that was dislodged and remains on the surface.