Mastering the Art of Claying | A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your V-Series Cadillac’s Paint
Why Use a Clay Bar?
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Adam's Polishes Fine Grade Clay Bar $17SUPER SOFT, ULTRA FINE GRADE MATERIAL! – In the Jar, you get two 100-gram bars that were designed to go after the smaller particles. This soft, ultra-fine grade material will leave your paint feeling undeniably soft and smooth and ready for protection to show off its slick side.
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Adam's Polishes Medium Grade Clay Bar Detailing Kit $27SUPER SOFT, SOFT MEDIUM GRADE MATERIAL FOR CAR DETAILING – In the Jar, you get two 100-gram bars that were designed to go after the smaller particles. Adam’s medium grade clay material will leave your paint feeling undeniably soft, smooth and ready to apply your choice of protection.
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Adam's Polishes Visco Clay Bar Jar $29Cleanses Surface Without Causing Damage - Safe for Even The Most Delicate Clear Coat - Use on Paint, Glass, Wheels, and More - Includes Geo-Impression Tool. Restore embedded contaminants, environmental deposits, and pollution to restore rough paintwork to a smooth surface feeling!
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Adam's Borderless Grey Microfiber Towel (6pk) $40LINT FREE, PREMIUM MICROFIBER MATERIAL - Made with dense, ultra soft microfibre at 480 gsm these towels are high quality and durable. Each towel is made according to strict quality standards, woven with premium fabric and will not harm your paint or delicate surfaces. We are confident any towel from Adam’s will outperform any cotton cloth, shop towel, terry towel, chamois, or other utility towel!.
Step-by-Step Claying Process
Step 1: Detect Surface Contaminants
- Thoroughly wash the Cadillac with a good soap to remove any loose surface dirt.
- Tip: Avoid pressing down hard to prevent scratches.
Step 2: Prepare the Clay Bar
- Break off a chunk of clay and shape it into a ball, storing the rest in its container.
- Tip: If the clay accidentally falls to the ground, discard it immediately to prevent soiling and scratching.
Step 3: Lubricate the Surface
- Generously mist the lubricant over the surface area you intend to work on. Work on one panel at a time.
- Tip: Keep the surface sufficiently damp to ensure smooth gliding of the clay, minimizing friction and maximizing effectiveness.
Mastering the Art of Claying
Step 4: Clay the Surface
- Flatten the clay ball against the panel’s surface, gently molding it to fit the contours. Rub in a side-to-side motion, following the panel’s lines for even coverage.
- Tip: Reapply lubricant if the area starts to dry to maintain smooth operation.
Step 5: Wipe with a Towel
- Using your cotton towel, gently wipe the cleaned area to clear any residue.
- Tip: Fold the clay frequently as you move between panels, unveiling fresh areas for optimal use.
Step 6: Inspect and Repeat if Necessary
- Re-inspect using the cellophane wrapper method, repeating earlier steps if contaminants persist.
- Tip: A second pass might be needed to tackle stubborn areas, ensuring the surface is entirely smooth.
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Medium Grade Clay Bar Infused Mitt $36REMOVES ENVIRONMENTAL DEPOSITS WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE! – The Adam’s Clay Mitt allows any person who is detailing their vehicle the option to clay the entire car in a fraction of the time. A Traditional clay bar typically takes 2 hours but with this newly designed mitt, claying your vehicle becomes a lot easier. This clay mitt is made with medium grade clay material (Moya and Microfiber) that is slightly more aggressive than our Visco Clay Bar.
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Adam's Polishes 9mm Dual Action Car Polisher $190POWERFUL ENGINE, EFFICIENT PAINT CORRECTION - Adam's Polishes 9mm Dual Action/DA Long Throw Polisher 1000W improved efficiency guarantees more power and torque on any surface, making your car detailing process easier, and more efficient. Achieve swirl-free, scratch-free, debris-free results.
Popular Clay Bars
- Blue Clay Bar: Widely used by professionals, known for its compatibility with various contaminants. Considered very good, with efficient results.
- Yellow Clay Bar: Similar to blue, with Mother’s and Zaino’s versions praised for reliability. Also rated very good.
White Clay Bar: Known brands like Meguiar’s offer this, though feedback suggests it’s less effective than others. Considered good.
- Grey Clay Bar: Lusso’s variant aligns with professional quality, with positive reviews from users. Rated very good.
- Red Clay Bar: AutoMagic’s version involves mild abrasives and is best in professional settings due to its intensity.
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Adam's Polishes Jumbo Plush Drying Towel $35TWIST LOOP, DUAL-LAYER MICROFIBER - Thick, plush microfiber design increases water absorbency making this soft drying towel more effective than other designs including waffle weave, chamois, and plush styles.
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Adam's Polishes Essential Car Wash Kit $806 FORMULAS FOR A COMPLETE VEHICLE DETAIL! Wash, clean, shine, and protect your car, boat, rv, bike, or truck’s exterior and interior surfaces. Perfect for building your detailing arsenal or restocking some of our best performing detailing chemicals.
Important Don’ts in Detailing
- Avoid commercial car washes that may use harsh materials.
- Never rub or wipe dirt away with bare hands or dry towels.
- Opt out of acid-based touchless washes, which might degrade paint finish.