You've probably heard of it, car clay, otherwise you probably wouldn't be here. But what exactly is car clay? And how does claying your car work and why would you do it? And how do you do that with a truck? In this blog post we'll explain it all to you! From a step-by-step explanation of how to get started to tips for trucks and our recommendations for car clay.
What is car clay?
Anyone who knows a little bit about car detailing is familiar with it anyway, car clay. It is a clay-like substance that is designed to remove small particles and contaminants from a car's paint. These particles can be stuck to the surface of the paint due to pollution, brake dust, fly rust, tar, tree sap and other contaminants from the environment. Car clay is therefore a special clay for cleaning paint and does not look like regular clay. So don't get started with a jar of Playdoh.
Why should you use car clay?
“But why should I use it, that car clay? I might as well use a sponge to clean the paint?” Yes, you can. You can also clean your car or truck with a ‘normal’ cleaner. Washing your vehicle is a great start, but it’s not always enough. Claying goes a step further by removing even the toughest dirt, which is essential for keeping your paint in top condition. Let’s take a look at the reasons why you should use car clay below.
- Paint Protection: Regular use of car clay can help protect your car’s paint from damage. Contaminants that stick to the surface can bite into the paint over time, which can lead to permanent damage. That’s a real shame.
- Restore Smoothness: If those small particles are left on the paint, such as when you simply rinse your vehicle with a garden hose, the paint can feel rough over time and become dull in appearance. Auto clay removes these impurities and restores the smoothness of the paint surface.
- Prep for Detailing: If you plan on polishing, waxing, or sealing your vehicle, claying is an essential first step. By removing contaminants, for example, polishing products can work better and leave a shinier finish.
How do you use car clay?
Want to get started with car clay? It can be a time-consuming task, but the results are worth it. To get started, you’ll need to gather a few supplies.
Supplies
- Car clay or clay glove
- A mixture of water and car shampoo
- Wheel Cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- Wax
Steps to Clay Your Vehicle
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Remove surface dirt
To start, it is useful to make sure that your vehicle is clean of visible dirt and dust. This prevents your clay block from absorbing all this dirt. This way, you can use your car clay for much longer! It is also useful to work in the shade and not in very warm weather, otherwise the car shampoo will dry too quickly and you can get stains. To remove the metal particles that are stuck to the paint, you can use a Wheel Cleaner. When you spray the car with Wheel Cleaner, you will see that all the stuck metal particles turn purple. After 1 to 3 minutes, rinse the Wheel Cleaner off your vehicle. By using this product, you have already removed most of the dirt. This makes it easier to clay! -
Lubricating the surface
In order to be able to easily glide the clay over the paint, it is important that the surface is moist. For this you can use detailing spray or a mixture of water and car shampoo. Make sure that the surface is always wet and do not clay on a dry surface.
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Use of the car clay
Fold the car clay into a flat, manageable shape. Hold the clay firmly and slide it over the lubricated surface with light pressure. It is important to keep the surface well lubricated while claying, this will prevent friction and scratches. -
Check regularly and knead the clay
Because you remove dirt from the paint with the car clay, you have to knead or fold the clay every now and then to be able to continue with a clean piece of clay. Do not continue with a dirty piece of clay for too long, otherwise you may scratch your paint. -
Wipe and wax
Is the surface nice and clean and smooth again? Then wipe away the residue with a clean microfiber cloth. To give your paint extra protection and a nice shine, you can apply a layer of wax to the paint.
Caution! Remember that car clay is a mild abrasive, so it is important to be careful and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Applying too much pressure while claying can cause scratches.
Tips for Claying Your Truck
There you are, holding a small piece of clay in your hand while looking at your truck. Claying your truck seems like an impossible task, we completely understand. Luckily, we have collected some tips below to make the process a little easier.
- Use a suitable product. For example, you can choose to work with a larger piece of clay. You can also use a clay glove. This makes cleaning larger surfaces just a little easier.
- Look carefully where the claying is needed. It is a waste to clay an entire surface if it is not really necessary. Run your hand over the paint and feel if it is rough. Is this okay? Then you can postpone the claying for a while.
- Use a ladder. A ladder makes it easier to reach those places that are otherwise difficult to reach. Make sure you use a sturdy ladder, we don't want to see any accidents of course!
- Get professional help. Don't feel like taking a small piece of clay to your truck? Or do you want to polish your truck, but don't want to do it yourself? Then outsource it and use the polishing service of TrucksSupply ! This way you ensure that your truck looks spick and span again, without you having to do anything. Easy, right?