How does clay "work"?

[tguil]

I have been using detailing clay for years -- even before it became the "thing to do", but I am still not sure how it works. Does it abrade the contaminant and then pick it up or does it pull the contaminant off the surface of the paint? What about contaminants that are actually embedded in the paint such as rail dust? Please no guesses. How about a response from someone who really knows.

Tom

[the_invisible]

Re: How does clay "work"?

Lubricant is sprayed on, you rub the clay on the paint.

Witchcraft happens, and the surface becomes free of contaminant.

[BarryK]

Re: How does clay "work"?

When claying, the clay will actually grab onto and pull any contaminants that are bonded into the surface of the paint out of it

Yes, contaminants such as rail dust are very common and claying will safely pull it out

You usually actually only have to clay horizontal panel surfaces as these are the areas that dust and other contaminants fall onto the vehicle and than get bonded into the paint surface if not removed fairly immediately. Vertical surfaces don't get things bonded to then nearly as much although if the vehicle is very neglected even those surfaces will need claying.

BTW, contaminants that are on a paint surface long enough to get bonded in (therefore requiring claying to remove) also generally cause other issues with the paint such as stains UNDER the contaminants, again also especially true on more neglected vehicles.
Because of this, after claying it's a good idea to go over the paint surface with a good paint cleaner product or a compound or polish to remove these other issues. The compound or polish will also remove any micro marring you may have instilled if you used a more aggressive type of clay.
If you stick with the milder clays than micro marring is not usually an issue

[CieraSL]

Re: How does clay "work"?

Here is some info from Autogeek:

Auto Detailing Clay Bar is an engineered resin compound used to remove contaminants from the surface of your car’s paint, glass, fiberglass and metal. Detailing clay can be natural or synthetic, though most manufacturers utilize synthetic clays.

Auto detailing clay is similar to the stuff you played with as a kid, but the clay used for detailing is usually much more elastic, especially in the case of Pinnacle Ultra Poly Auto Detailing Clay Bar. The elasticity gives the detailing clay excellent durability as it is rolled, flattened, smashed and stretched over and over again.

Plus detailing clay is designed to stand up to the kind of contaminants that your childhood clay never had to face, i.e. industrial fallout, rail dust and brake dust. These contaminants pierce paint finishes, glass and metal and remain stuck on your vehicle through rain, car washes, and even polishing. The only way to remove these pollutants is – you guessed it – detailing clay.

---

How Does Auto Detailing Clay Work? Detailing clay glides along the surface of your paint and grabs anything that protrudes from the surface. The particle sticks to the clay and is therefore removed from your vehicle. The surface being clayed should always be wet with clay lubricant to prevent loose debris from scratching the vehicle. Used properly, detailing clay is completely safe and nonabrasive.Its a much better option than polishing to remove these contaminants because clay doesn’t remove any paint. There are two different grades of clay currently available to the public. One is a medium grade detailing clay designed to clean the vehicle once or twice a year. This grade of clay removes wax along with anything else on the vehicle. We’re talking CLEAN. Examples are Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay, XMT Speed Clay, and DP Universal Detailing Clay. Your other option is a fine grade that’s relatively new to the industry. It’s called Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay and it’s a favorite of enthusiasts who prefer to clay as often as needed to keep that slick finish. This detailing clay removes everything the medium clay removes and it is gentle enough to use monthly or as needed for spot cleaning. If you’re someone who’s meticulous about clean, shiny paint (and who isn’t?!) you’ll love Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay. All detailing clay requires the use of a clay lubricant to prevent scratches as you gently rub the clay on the vehicle. Check out our Clay Page. There you will find all of the different clays and their coordinated clay lubricants.

---

What Does Detailing Clay Remove? Your vehicle is under constant assault from airborne pollutants. Brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits and rail dust all can adhere to your vehicle. These contaminants often contain metal particulates, which accounts for the ease with which they penetrate the clear coat to attack the paint below. These contaminants then oxidize, and they allow rust to spread beneath the clear coat. Tiny orange spots today, total paint system failure tomorrow! Detailing clay removes these contaminants in order to keep the paint healthy and vibrant. Detailing Clay also removes stubborn sap, tar, and bug remains. Detailing clay works wonder on glass as well. Try some the next time you’re washing your windows. You’ll be amazed at the results!

[Tuck91]

Re: How does clay "work"?

You usually actually only have to clay horizontal panel surfaces as these are the areas that dust and other contaminants fall onto the vehicle

Nine times out of ten the vertical surfaces need to be clayed as well. I have never detailed a vechile where there was above surface bonded contaminants on the horizontal panels but not on the vertical ones.