Chemical Guys 3 different types of clay bars:

1)   LIGHT_BAR CLAY_BAR -  for regular everyday use. For the Car enthusiast or professional detailer working on higher end vehicles, or new vehicles that need a light bar that will never scratch the surface. This scratch free ultra-flexible elastic bar is a huge customer favorite that truly works great for all paint finishes.

2)   MEDIUM BAR CLAY BAR - for light to medium jobs with moderate oxidation that you can really feel. Great for light to medium oxidation, and paint over-spray removal. able to clean 95% of all surfaces and  remove environmental fallout to prepare for buffing and waxing.

3)   HEAVY_DUTY_BAR-CLAY_BAR - use for heavy oxidation where time is the real issue.  Great for business professionals that need the surface smooth prior to polish or buffing.  Ideal for medium to tough jobs and larger amounts of paint over-spray especially if the over-spray has been on the car for a long time.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER SO HERE IS SOME KNOWLEDGE FROM US TO YOU:

What can contaminate your vehicle surface?

1. Brake dust - particles produced from the friction of brake pads rubbing against the rotor. This metal on metal friction disperses tiny particles of bare metal into the air and on the highways, freeways and virtually everywhere.  Constant movement of vehicle propels it in to the air and dispenses it over the vehicles surface.

2. Industrial fallout - another word for pollution, industrial fallout is a by- product of our surroundings. It comes from industrial businesses and factories as well as diesel vehicles and even airplane fallout.

3. Rail dust - produced from the friction of train wheels against railroad tracks.

Over 75% of new vehicles are shipped by rail. Nearly all new vehicles are contaminated as soon as they leave the factory.

When Should You Clay Bar?

 You can clay bar your car as often as you wish or simply prior to waxing or polishing your vehicle. To acquire the best smooth as glass touch and feel result it is ideal to always clay bar your vehicle prior to application of wax, glaze, polish or paint sealant.

How is clay different from polishing or buffing?

Many people have never hear of clay baring because for a while clay bars were only available to professionals. Claying  is less abrasive then polishing or buffing the surface. Claying actually pulls out foreign particles and contaminants that have embedded themselves in the paint.

Polishes are intended  more to be used as cleaners for paint, such as  cleaning the paint, filling swirls and scratches, restoring and maximizing shine by smoothing over sharp edges.

Do I need a clay lubricant?

Yes Yes Yes ! Clay bars absolutely need some kind of lubricant to work correctly. Without lubricant clay bars cannot move freely over the surface and work as intended. Without proper lubrication a clay bar will catch on contaminants, pull them across the surface and possible scratch or mar paint. Clay bars are such intended as to work with proper clay bar lubricants.  Clay lubes are formulated to lubricate the surface allowing the clay bars to glide more freely across a surface. Lubricants aid the clay bar in lifting particles and allows the clay bar to move freely from raking roughly across the paint and causing possible scratches.

Can you use soap as a lubricant?

No! Lubricants are formulated to work with the clay bar and will not impact the integrity and cleaning ability of a clay bar. Shampoos and car wash soaps may damage the clay bar leading to deterioration, which in turn will limits its cleaning ability and shorten its life span.

Specially formulated clay lubricants are formulated with uniquely engineered surface lubricants to allow for superior gliding of the clay bar and provide a slippery protective layer that clay bars can safely glide across.