The Detailing Hand Book

The ONLY detailing guide written specifically for owners of the Honda S2000
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Engine Detailing
Wheel Well Detailing
Wheel and Tire Detailing
Washing and Drying
Rinseless Washing
Convertible Top Care
Assessing Paint Condition
Claying
Paint Polishing
Waxing or Sealing Paint
Head Light Care
Exterior Trim Care
Exhaust Tip Care
Claying

 

The key to having shiny paint is to create as smooth a surface as possible.  Dull looking paint is often the result of an uneven paint surface due to scratching, oxidation, or bonded contaminants.  After claying you’ll likely only see a difference in the paint when detailing an extremely neglected car.  The benefits of clay are much more obvious when feeling the paint surface.

 

 

 

Detailing clay is a powerful tool to use to smooth the paint’s surface.  Clay was originally used by body shops to remove overspray on the paint’s surface.  However, it also works to remove environmental fallout and rail dust which are common bonded contaminants.

 

 

 

Clay works similar to a razor by shaving off bonded contaminants from the surface of the paint.  Detailing clay is an abrasive substance and is sold in different levels of aggressiveness.  However, all detailing clay except aggressive clay when used with enough lubrication is completely safe and will not scratch paint.  

 

 

 

When shopping for clay, it is advised that you shop by price.  All clay is manufactured in the same factory under the same patent.  Aside from color and abrasive level, there is little difference between the different brands of clay.

 

 

 

Claying like washing should be done from the top of your car down.  Also, always rub the clay in straight lines preferably matching the direction of airflow over the car.  Even if you are planning to polish your car, it is still recommended that you first use clay.  Removing the bonded contaminants with the clay first will allow the polish to be more effective at leveling the paint.

 

 

 

Depending upon your local conditions, it should not be necessary to clay your paint more than 1 or 2 times a year.


 

What you’ll need . . .

 

  • Detailing clay – only buy detailing clay labeled medium, mild, fine, or ultra-fine.  There is rarely any need for a detailer to use aggressive detailing clay.  Additionally, aggressive detailing clay even when used with lubrication often leaves marring in the paint.

  • Clay lube – many car care companies sell dedicated clay lube.  However, while clay lube works well, it’s not necessary to use a dedicated clay lube.  Quick detailer spray works well as clay lube and so does car wash solution or rinseless wash solution.  If you wish to use rinseless wash soap or car wash soap as clay lube, then simply mix them with water in a spray bottle.  Using a spray bottle makes it easier to disperse your clay lube.  Also, keep in mind if you use car wash solution for clay lube then you will need to rinse your car afterward to remove any soap residue.
  • Microfiber waffle weave towel – while any type of microfiber towel will work for claying, waffle weave towels are the most absorbent type of microfiber towel.  There are many great waffle weave towels available such as the Cobra Ultimate Guzzler and Big Blue II.

 

How to get it done . . .

 

 

1.      Before starting to clay be sure that the paint surface is clean.  Prior to claying the paint should always either be washed or quick detailed.  If you have washed the car prior to claying do not dry the car.  The rinse water from washing left on the surface of the car will provide extra lubrication

 

2.      Cut your clay bar into 3-4 pieces.  If you should drop your piece of clay on the ground, you must throw this piece away.  Cutting the clay into multiple pieces will prevent you from dropping your entire clay supply at once and will make the clay easier to handle.

 

3.      Spray the panel generously with your clay lube of choice.

 

4.      Mold the clay into a ball and then flatten it in between your hands into the shape of a pancake.

 

 

5.      While holding the clay in your fingers, rub the clay over the surface of the paint until it glides effortlessly over the paint.  It is only necessary to apply minimal downward pressure to the clay.

 

 

6.      After claying an area check to see how dirty the clay has become.  If a significant amount of contaminants has been picked up by the clay, fold and remold the clay to expose a clean surface.  If any large particles have been picked up by the clay pick them out with your fingers before folding and re-molding the clay.

 

 

7.      Dry the panel with your waffle weave towel.