Clay Bars & Lubricants

Improve Your Polishing and Waxing Results with a Clay Bar Treatment

An occasional wash and wax is seldom enough to maintain a car's paint finish. It demands extra care to decontaminate pollutants, including road grime, dust, bird droppings and tree sap. Auto Finesse, your car care product supplier in the UK, is here with an effective and unconventional solution—clay bars and lubricants. Designed to be soft and malleable, our specially crafted substance picks up dirt particles without causing damage to the paint. Shop from us and set the groundwork for further detailing—waxing and polishing.

Developed in-house by professional detailers, we address the major disappointments shoppers face when waxing and sealants improperly bond or when the paintwork appears chalky. We also safeguard vehicles against future damage, including premature ageing and wear, through exclusive products to aid in clay bar treatment. If you are tired of exhausting your bank balance by hiring professional detailing services and are not quite satisfied with the results, switch to our clay bar kits and complete the process while enjoying the stunning outcomes.

Car Detailing Clay, Lubricants and Kits: Tackle Embedded Contaminants in a Breeze!

Car exterior surfaces accumulate industrial chemicals, protein and mineral deposits from hard water. Over time, they settle on painted surfaces and develop yellow spots, ruining the gloss. While some are prominently visible, others are felt in the form of roughness. At Auto Finesse, we introduce a dependable solution—clay bars, clay lubricants and clay bar kits. Curated into a collection of essentials, the items are ready to restore the silky smooth finish on your rides. Here are the best-selling car detailing clays and associated products to render a contamination-free surface:

• Clay Bar: The one we feature is natural a kaolin clay bar, weighing 200 gms and targeting bonded contaminants. Now, deal with organic and inorganic contamination like a professional detailer with our detailing clay without the fear of damaging sensitive paintwork. An upgrade over polymer clays, we guarantee an advanced detailing treatment. Shop online from Auto Finesse and handle bonded contaminants and embedded particles on all surfaces, including paint, gloss-finished plastics, trims and alloy wheels.
• Glide Clay Lube: When purchasing clay bars, remember to shop for Glide, a clay lubricant that lowers friction during the treatment. It's a gentle formula and we advise all a liberal application on the paintwork. Our intention is to make sure there is no resistance between the paintwork and the clay bar by keeping the area well-lubricated. The presence of silicone in it safeguards cars from UV radiation.
• Clay Bar Kit: Why shop car detailing clay and lubricants individually when you can get them packed into a bundle? Save money and the hassles of shopping by adding Clay Bar Kit to your cart and tackle soot, tar deposits, road grime and tree sap more effectively. Get a 500-ml Glide and a 200-g clay bar, packed nicely into our bundle.

Shop today by visiting Auto Finesse online!

Clay Bar Treatment: The Process We Recommend for a Smooth and Glossy Car

Here is a step-by-step instruction for beginners to nail the clay bar treatment:

1. Break off a small piece of your Clay Bar and flatten into a pad of 2-3-inches.
2. Working over a square of approximately 12x12-inches, or a manageable section, lubricate the surface and your clay pad thoroughly with Glide Clay Lube.
3. Rub the clay bar over the surface with light pressure, moving the clay in overlapping straight lines.
4. Continue the clay treatment until the pad slides smoothly across surface. You'll feel the difference in resistance as the contamination is removed and the surface gets smoother and smoother.
5. Periodically check your clay for contamination. As and when it gets dirty, fold and kneed the clay to reveal a fresh portion.
6. Use a microfibre towel to gently wipe away any lubricant and move on to the next area.
7. Rinse the whole vehicle down to remove any remaining lubricant residues. Dry the vehicle as normal with a suitable microfibre drying towel.
8. Once you are done with claying, you can move onto the polishing and protection stages.

Get the most from your detailing with a professional grade clay bar treatment. Here at Auto Finesse we have all the supplies to get you started and achieve the best professional results at home. Our comprehensive range of clay decontamination products is available our online store now.

Expert Tips to Achieve a Professional Finish with Car Detailing Clay and Lubricants

At Auto Finesse, we recommend clay bar treatment once a year or quarterly before polish and sealant treatment. Determine the frequency based on the average daily drive. When purchasing a clay bar, get ultra-fine natural kaolin clay to improve its effectiveness against contamination. The one we feature on our site is exactly so and accompanies a clay bar lubricant to eliminate the risks of marring. Club the two together to achieve a glass-like finish on your ride. We also suggest working in small sections and spraying the lube liberally onto your vehicle surface for the clay bar to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a clay bar, and why is it important for car detailing? 
   Clay bars are resin-based tools designed to remove embedded contaminants from your car’s paintwork. Over time, pollutants like tar, brake dust, and tree sap can bond to your vehicle’s surface, which regular washing cannot remove. These contaminants can harm the paint and reduce the effectiveness of detailing products like wax or sealants. Clay bar treatment restores smoothness, improves paint clarity, and prepares the surface for further detailing steps, ensuring long-lasting shine and protection.
2. Should I clay bar my car before polishing? 
   Yes, using clay bars before polishing is highly recommended. Polishing a car without first claying it can lead to suboptimal results since the embedded contaminants can interfere with the polish's effectiveness. Worse, these contaminants might cause scratches during the polishing process. A clay treatment ensures the surface is completely clean and free from debris, allowing the polish to work directly on the paint and deliver a more uniform finish. It also ensures that any wax or sealant applied afterward adheres better and lasts longer.
3. What is included in clay bar kits? 
   A standard clay bar kit typically includes a bar and a lubricant to ensure smooth application. The lubricant is essential for reducing friction between clay bars and the vehicle's surface, preventing damage to the paint. Some kits may also include microfibre towels for wiping off residue, storage containers for the bar, and sometimes an instructional guide for beginners. Premium kits might offer additional tools, such as clay mitts or detailing sprays, to enhance the user experience and deliver professional results.
4. When should I give my car a clay detailing treatment? 
   You should consider giving your car a clay detailing treatment when the paint feels rough to the touch, even after washing. This indicates the presence of bonded contaminants. Generally, claying is recommended every three to six months, depending on driving conditions and exposure to environmental pollutants. For example, if your car is parked outdoors near industrial areas or trees, it may require more frequent claying. Claying is also an essential step before applying polish, wax, or ceramic coatings to ensure optimal adhesion and longevity.
5. Can clay bars be used on wheels or glass? 
   Yes, you can use a car detailing clay bar on wheels and glass. Just like with paint, wheels and glass can accumulate stubborn contaminants that regular cleaning methods may not remove. For wheels, claying helps eliminate brake dust and road grime, leaving them clean and smooth. When used on glass, a clay bar can remove water spots, tree sap, and other residues, resulting in a crystal-clear finish. Always use a suitable lubricant and ensure the clay bar is free of debris to prevent scratches.
6. What’s the difference between clay bars and clay bar mitts? 
   Claying bars and clay bar mitts serve the same purpose but differ in design and usage. A clay bar is a pliable block of clay that you manually rub over the paint with a lubricant. It provides excellent control and is ideal for detailed areas. A clay bar mitt, on the other hand, is a glove-like tool with a clay-infused surface. It’s easier to use and covers larger areas more quickly, making it ideal for routine maintenance. However, clay bars are often more effective for heavy contamination.
7. How long does a clay bar lube last? 
   The longevity of clay bar lubricants depends on how often it’s used and the size of the vehicle being detailed. Typically, a standard 16-ounce bottle of clay lubricant can last for 5-10 full applications on an average-sized car. If used sparingly and paired with quality clay bars, it may last longer. Proper storage, such as keeping the bottle sealed and away from extreme heat or cold, can also extend its shelf life, ensuring consistent performance over time.
8. What are the benefits of using Auto Finesse clay bar kits? 
   Our clay kits offer a professional-grade solution for achieving a perfectly smooth surface. Their high-quality clay bars effectively remove embedded contaminants without damaging the paint. The included lubricants are specially formulated to enhance the claying process, reducing friction and ensuring a flawless finish. Additionally, these kits often come with user-friendly tools, such as microfibre towels, to simplify the detailing process. Auto Finesse products are trusted for their durability and effectiveness, making them ideal for both beginners and professionals. 
9. Can clay lubricants be used with other detailing tools? 
   Yes, our clay bar lubricants are versatile and can be used with numerous detailing tools. For example, they work well with clay mitts, clay towels, or even as a glide enhancer during machine polishing. Additionally, clay lubricants can double as a quick detailer spray, helping to remove light dust or fingerprints between washes. This adaptability makes them a valuable addition to any detailing kit.
10. How does clay lubricant improve the claying process? 
    Clay lubricant plays a crucial role in the claying process by reducing friction between the clay bar and the vehicle's surface. Without lubricant, the claying bar could stick to the paint, causing marring or scratches. A quality lubricant ensures the clay glides effortlessly over the surface, picking up contaminants without causing damage. It also enhances the user experience by making the process smoother and more efficient. Additionally, lubricants often leave behind a polished finish, preparing the surface for further detailing steps.