The Best Clay Bars
If you really want to give that coat a paint a true detail, clay bars are a great investment. The conformed clay is a resin mixture that removes dirt and contaminants from the surface of your car to bring out its natural shine. Their elasticity makes them ideal for rolling and shaping to use on different parts of your vehicle. For those in the market, we've whipped up this list of the best of the best. Our search for the best clay bars was guided by three main questions: Is it effective at cleaning off car surfaces? Is it easy to knead and shape to the right size? Is the price fair? Our favorite was the clay bar from Chemical Guys, which proved its heavy-duty claims with a high-performance composition that left our cars looking brand new. We also love the malleability of the texture, which lets us shape it into different shapes and sizes for the job at hand. But for cleaning multiple cars, you're going to need multiple pieces of clay. That's when we recommend the multi-pack from IPELY, which works wonders and offers fantastic bang for your buck. Clearly, there's a lot to discuss in the world of clay bars. For more of our in-depth reviews, read on.
Chemical Guys CLY_403 Heavy Clay Bar
Best of the bars
If you want to get straight to business with your car detailing, we suggest this heavy clay bar from Chemical Guys. It’s heavy-duty, easy to use, and in a neutral black color that suits any garage environment. Chemical Guys’ clay is known for its flexibility, and that’s one of the major reasons it’s ideal for cleaning all the nooks and crannies of your car. It molds and conforms to whatever the surface calls for. Plus, we love its smooth texture that feels good on our hands as we clean. For a versatile bar that gets the job done, Chemical Guys is a solid choice.
Pros:
- The Flex-Clay Technology is easy to mold and knead, so you can break off pieces and then stretch them into the right shape for the job.
- If you’ve been struggling to get tree sap off of your car and conventional rags and sponges aren’t doing the trick, try this option. It’s heavy-duty for removing even the stickiest of substances but still comes at a bargain price.
Cons:
- As with any clay bar, you’ll have to give your car a rinse to remove any grit that would otherwise scratch the paint job.
- If you don’t use gloves, it can leave a blue tint on your hands that will need to be washed off with soap and water.
Mothers 07243 California Gold Deluxe Clay Bar Kit
The complete kit
The fine folks at Mothers California Gold have offered quite an enticing bundle here that we think will be hard to pass up. Not only do you get three 100-gram clay bars in this package, but you also score a spray bottle of Instant Detailer and two microfiber towels. It’s like a one-stop shop for car detailing needs. Clay bars are a special kind of treatment for the detailing of your vehicle, so make sure your other bases are covered with the detailer liquid and microfiber cloth. While a clay bar alone is great for detailing your vehicle, the added touch of the Instant Detailer and microfiber cloth will ensure that your paint job is left completely smooth. This bundle will level up your car care in one affordable purchase.
Pros:
- This one hits the sweet spot between firmness and flexibility, so it’s not too abrasive but still fairly easy to mold, knead, and shape.
- The storage container is actually a really useful way to store the clay when not in use since it prevents it from drying out and collecting dust and debris.
- Because it’s easy to use and includes some handy accessories, this is an excellent option for beginners.
Cons:
- There’s money to be saved by just buying a clay bar, although this bundle is a great deal.
IPELY 100g Car Clay Bar
If you need multiple bars, IPELY has you covered with their reasonably-priced package of 100g blue clay bars. Paired with a strong detergent and some good old-fashioned soapy water, these clay bars will be your go-to flexible car cleaning tool. There are four bars included in this package, and each one is durable and can have a long life span depending on the number of contaminants you collect during each cleaning session. If you do a lot of detailing and run through the bars quickly, this package from IPELY is a great choice and has a charming blue-color look that will make it pop in your garage.
Pros:
- If you want the most bang for your buck, go with this option. These four bars cost the same as most single bars and are just as effective.
- We found that these require less pressure to pick up contaminants, so it can save your arms from wearing out during big cleaning jobs.
Cons:
- It has a high plastic content, which means it can harden in cold temperatures and become difficult to work with.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a clay bar?
First, mold the clay properly so that it is best fitted to the part of the vehicle that you’re cleaning. Add soap and water and use your formed clay bar as a “sponge.” You’ll be surprised at the sheen that it will bring to your car.
What is the lifespan of a clay bar?
There’s no easy answer to this. Typically, if you’re not picking up a plethora on any given round, you can re-use the same clay bar approximately 5 times before you need to rotate it off paint coat duty. Just make sure that your clay bar is smooth and clean before you apply it.
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