{"id":27328,"date":"2019-10-09T08:00:49","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T12:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.detailedimage.com\/Ask-a-Pro\/?p=27328"},"modified":"2019-10-01T14:35:22","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T18:35:22","slug":"decontamination-part-3-claying-without-polishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.detailedimage.com\/Ask-a-Pro\/decontamination-part-3-claying-without-polishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Decontamination : Part 3 – Claying Without Polishing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a 4 part series where Rodney Tatum covers various steps in the decontamination process. Click here<\/a> to check out each article as they are released.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The clay bar treatment is the first service known within the detailing community that clearly<\/strong> distinguishes detailing from the offerings of a local car wash. It is a tangible offering, which can sub-communicate a higher attention to detail.\u00a0 For this reason some low volume higher end detail businesses either start at Wash, Clay, Wax\/Sealant OR<\/strong> Wash, Clay, Light Polish, and Wax\/Sealant.<\/p>\n

Many new businesses starting out are not realistically in a great position to offer detailing service options at Wash, Clay, Polish, and Sealant\/Wax (or even an all in polish and sealant).\u00a0 They may not have enough market influence to sell a service that commands a higher price point.<\/p>\n

The question or answer to the question you are looking for:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Can and will the careful use of clay bar cause some marring (micro scratching) on your paint?\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 Very likely over time.\u00a0 Does that mean I should never use a clay bar personally and professionally?\u00a0 Not necessarily!\u00a0 I tell people it is ideal<\/strong> to polish after claying for a reason.\u00a0 Ideal, why would I use that word?\u00a0 I asked for the opinions of two people who have a great deal of respect for.\u00a0 They are both knowledgeable about the effect a clay bar has on paint, but have two unique philosophies on its use in their service offerings.<\/p>\n

Jeff McEachran is the national brand manager for Gyeon U.S.A.<\/p>\n

“The potential to mar paint with any clay bar is always present.\u00a0 The clay bar is a very useful tool in terms of decontaminating a paint’s finish.\u00a0 For us, we never introduce a clay bar unless we are polishing paint.\u00a0 No matter how careful you are, or how fine the clay, or how well lubricated, the ability to mar is there<\/strong>.\u00a0 Especially on soft paints.\u00a0 When a polishing stage is happening we always clay regardless of age of the vehicle.\u00a0 You just do not know what that particular car has been through, during transport, dealer lot, even when brand new.\u00a0 We absolutely always clay prior to any Paint Protection Film install.\u00a0 You want all bonded contaminants gone and a perfectly flat surface.\u00a0 Post coating I would not be claying paint even with a fine or mild clay.\u00a0 There are specific tools (Gyeon Iron and Gyeon Tar) that will remove contaminants chemically.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mark Barger is the owner of Visual Pro Detailing.\u00a0 Mark Barger, whose service offering starts with a wash clay and sealant, offered his perspective on the subject.<\/p>\n

“Very rarely have I seen noticeable marring from careful claying with a light duty clay bar.\u00a0 When marring does appear that is visible, (it is corrected with) an extremely light polish, hardly even considered a one step.\u00a0 In the case of high defect daily drivers that regularly go through automatic car washes, this is more of a concept of customer satisfaction<\/strong>.\u00a0 If they want a clean and shiny car give them a clean and shiny car, and don’t step over your profits to placate your own OCD.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Both of these gentleman have earned sterling reputations as detailers and business owners of integrity.\u00a0 Although their service offering are not identical, their reasoning is equally logical.<\/p>\n

There are some people in the detailing community who denigrate others for claying without polishing a car, allegedly out of ethical concern.\u00a0 I find the reasoning for this critique to be somewhat disingenuous.\u00a0 Actions that will likely leave equal or worse<\/strong> marring than a careful clay bar use:<\/p>\n