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Clay bar abrasiveness
Hey Mike and everybody else,
Hope you all had a great Easter!
My question is, are clay bars inherently abrasive? In other words, does the clay have abrasives within it to help it clean or is marring caused by all the nasties it picks up off the paint? The reason I ask is because I have read that clay bars in fact do have abrasives added and simply level off contaminants to the level of the paint. It was my understanding that the contaminants get pulled out because of its sticky nature...
Looking forward to your responses,
James
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Super Member
Clay bar abrasiveness
Claybars pull the contaminants off.
Clay alternatives aka claymitts, clay towels & clay sponges level off/shave the contaminants to leave a smooth surface.
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Super Member
Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
Originally Posted by
james751993
My question is, are clay bars inherently
abrasive? In other words, does the clay
have abrasives within it to help it
clean...
The reason I ask is because I have read
that clay bars in fact do have abrasives
and simply level off contaminants to the
level of the paint. It was my understanding
that the contaminants get pulled out because
of its sticky nature...
Yes, Automotive Clays contain abrasives;
and detergents.
•Does Clay pull (out) or shear (off)
contaminates?
-The answer, IMO, is yes...and...no:
depends on the type of contaminates,
among other variables.
•Automotive Clays stated use is to remove
above surface contaminates. If it happens
to completely pull out some contaminates,
instead of leaving some shards of sheared
contaminates embedded below the surface:
so much the better—wouldn’t you agree?
-Just remember that wherever contaminates
are completely pulled out, a hole/void is created.
Those voids must be continually filled/protected,
via an automotive paint sealer—an LSP—to help
abate future damages to the paint system.
Bob
"Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk."
~Joaquin de Setanti
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Regular Member
Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
Yes to both, I believe. Clays have abrasives in them and the contaminants we pick up mar/scratch also.
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Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
Just to chime in....
Detailing clay contains a pulverized abrasive, not the kind that would scratch paint. As you rub clay over a surface with a clay lube, the abrasives abrade off the offending contaminants.
Because the clay is sticky, the contaminants stick to the clay.
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Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
^^^I've never gotten that much dirt off my car
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Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
Thanks for you clarification Mike.
Ill definitely have to check out out your write up. I just recently detailed my uncles car and he kept telling me clay is a waste of time and money... His opinion changed rather quickly when I showed him the once white meguiars clay bar I used.
James
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Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
When the clay bar gets dirty or you have used it on a section you fold it to a new contaminants free surface. How about with the clay alternatives? I have got me clay block and clay mitt and a clay pad and wondering about how often I would clean it when use them. Often it's says to rinse it when dropping them and not how often to rinse clean them during the work.
For an example to a medium contaminants paint I use the clay pad on a DA and work on a 2'×2' section. Should I take the pad off and rinse off under the hose or in a bucket of water and attach it and work a new section? Or how often do you clean it and any tip on how to clean it on the fly?
The clay mitt and clay towel seems easier to clean them on the fly. And the clay block is a little more troublesome.
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Super Member
Re: Clay bar abrasiveness
Thank you so much for this information! I have had many combative discussions with abrasiveness of clay and Nanoskin or equivalent product. I always try to tell the person that with plenty of lube or soapy lubricant, scratching of your ride is minimal or DOES NOT happen. Your explanation describes what I have been trying to say for quite a while. Some still think claying/Nanoskin is scratching your ride regardless. I am in the disagree camp. Rather than get in any discussions I now just go with "do what you think is necessary to make your ride shine". Again, great article and thank you!
CJ
2013 Mustang GT w/Track Pack 6-Speed Manual
Save the Manual!
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