Clay bar.

[Sgr74]

I’ve never used a clay bar. Is a clay bar just a clay bar or is there a good kind and a not so good kind?

[DMike]

Hi Sgr74,
They are different, some harder and some softer. I prefer a soft one, Meguiars. They can cause some minor marring which mostly is easy to polish away.

[IRD]

If you look up clay bar reviews on the web at AutoExpress there is a lot of helpful information about the tests they have done and resulting recommendations.

[AnilS]

I now prefer a clay mitt. Halfords sell the Farcela one. Easier and faster to use, plus 90% as effective as a clay bar.

[Stotts]

Anils comments are spot on for me. The mit is excellent. However after you’ve used a mit you may see more marring in your paint. That’s because you can see more now the paint is clean but also because you cannot help but slightly scratch the paint when one is claying the body.

[enuff_zed]

Anils comments are spot on for me. The mit is excellent. However after you’ve used a mit you may see more marring in your paint. That’s because you can see more now the paint is clean but also because you cannot help but slightly scratch the paint when one is claying the body.

Really?
I used the Farecla mitt and had perfect results. No marring, no scratching. I don't agree with 'cannot help but slightly scratch the paint'; I took appropriate care, used plenty of soapy water and narry a scratch in sight.
I admit I have never used a clay bar, but given the ease of use of the mitt, and the results I achieved, I don't think I'll bother.

As an aside, I've bought a new clay mitt now as the old one is a tad worn, but I kept it and use it to clean the windscreen. works a treat.

[Stevo1987]

Anils comments are spot on for me. The mit is excellent. However after you’ve used a mit you may see more marring in your paint. That’s because you can see more now the paint is clean but also because you cannot help but slightly scratch the paint when one is claying the body.

I have the same but they don'y
Really?
I used the Farecla mitt and had perfect results. No marring, no scratching. I don't agree with 'cannot help but slightly scratch the paint'; I took appropriate care, used plenty of soapy water and narry a scratch in sight.
I admit I have never used a clay bar, but given the ease of use of the mitt, and the results I achieved, I don't think I'll bother.

As an aside, I've bought a new clay mitt now as the old one is a tad worn, but I kept it and use it to clean the windscreen. works a treat.

I have the same but they don't seem to last long in my hands. The surface of the mitt goes sticky which leaves a residue on the paintwork which is hard to remove. Up to then I thought it was a good product but now I am not so sure.

[enuff_zed]

Anils comments are spot on for me. The mit is excellent. However after you’ve used a mit you may see more marring in your paint. That’s because you can see more now the paint is clean but also because you cannot help but slightly scratch the paint when one is claying the body.

I have the same but they don'y
Really?
I used the Farecla mitt and had perfect results. No marring, no scratching. I don't agree with 'cannot help but slightly scratch the paint'; I took appropriate care, used plenty of soapy water and narry a scratch in sight.
I admit I have never used a clay bar, but given the ease of use of the mitt, and the results I achieved, I don't think I'll bother.

As an aside, I've bought a new clay mitt now as the old one is a tad worn, but I kept it and use it to clean the windscreen. works a treat.

I have the same but they don't seem to last long in my hands. The surface of the mitt goes sticky which leaves a residue on the paintwork which is hard to remove. Up to then I thought it was a good product but now I am not so sure.

Never had that issue tbh. Wash the car first then use the clay mitt with plenty of clean soapy water. I do several light passes rather than try to clean everything off with one rub. The first mitt did 5 cars, none of which had ever been done before. That mitt is still in use for windscreen cleaning.