what is a clay bar

A clay bar is a detailing tool used to remove contaminants from a vehicles paint surface. These contaminants can include pollutants like road grime, tree sap, dust, bird droppings, and more, which can create a dull, faded appearance that's difficult to clean away with conventional methods. A clay bar treatment is when a detailing clay is used to remove these contaminants from the paint's surface. The clay bar is a soft, malleable material that is typically made from a natural or synthetic engineered resin compound. It is rubbed over the surface of the vehicle's paint, and as it is moved across the surface, it picks up and removes the contaminants. The result is a surgically clean surface that is ready for waxing or sealing to protect the paint. Clay barring is an important step in maintaining a vehicle's paint finish, as it helps to reduce scratches, swirls, and grit, and allows polish and wax to work more effectively.