What is Clay Magic?

Clay Magic is an auto detailing bar that deep cleans and removes surface contaminants like: tree sap, bug residue, paint overspray, road tar, brake dust, and plenty of other stubborn dirt-like substances. 

The purpose of claying your vehicle is to remove any contaminants that can degrade your vehicle’s finish, while preparing the surface for any final step product like a polish, wax, or sealant.

Why you should use Clay Magic

First off, claying your vehicle once or twice a year will put you in an elite class of those folks who truly take care of their vehicle's paint. Which will make you awesome!

Clay Magic will help improve your paint's finish by leaving a smooth-as-glass surface. By removing contaminants, your vehicle’s finish will be ready for any type of polish or sealer you plan on protecting it with. Plus, it is safe for all painted surfaces, including clear coat. Now your vehicle will be awesome too!

Secondly, Clay Magic is the original clay on the block. That’s right 90s pop fans, Clay Magic is just as cool as the very first boy band, New Kids on the Block! But seriously, Clay Magic was developed in Japan during the late 80s, then subsequently patented here in the good ol' USA.

You can be sure that if the label says Clay Magic (and the patent numbers are visible on the packaging), then you’ll be getting the best detailing clay out there.

How to use Clay Magic

Now that you’ve had a fun little lesson on what detailing clay is and why you should use it, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of removing the nitty-gritty from your vehicle’s finish.

Let’s get started shall we.

Wash your car. That should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised what would happen if we didn’t list that as the first step. This will ensure that the painted surface is as clean as possible, while being free of any loose dirt or grime.

Feel for contaminants.  There are many times where you’ll be able to feel the contaminants right away using the back of your hand (kinda rough and gritty). You can also use our fun, non-patented trick called the Plastic Baggie Method: get a plastic baggie, put your hand in the baggie, run you hand (still in the baggie) over the paint. This little trick helps to accentuate the feel of the surface contaminants, and it is usually pretty surprising to most at what is hidden on the paints surface.

Prep the Clay Magic. We recommend breaking your clay bar in half, or in quarters. This will ensure that you have a nice chunk to work with, but if you drop it you’ll have spares. *Never use clay that has been dropped on the ground, the dirt it picks up will scratch your paint.

Use a quality clay lubricant. Spray a small section of the paint with the lubricant (a 2’ x 2’ patch works well). You can also spray the lubricant directly on the detailing clay to help with pliability.

Use light pressure. You’ll want the clay bar to glide over the area of the paint you are working on. Use overlapping, side-to-side or up-and-down motions to thoroughly prep the area you are working on. You can even get crazy and go side-to-side then up-to-down. Try not to use too much pressure, you don’t want to grind and smash the detailing clay into the paint.

Wipe it up. After you have finished claying a section of the paint, you can wipe off the detail lubricant with a clean microfiber cloth.

Clay Magic Tips and Tricks

• Use a plastic bag to help feel if your paint is contaminated

• Using a quick detailer that provides a slick surface

• Keep the working area small, so the lubricant doesn’t dry up.

• Press lightly, let the clay bar glide across the lubricated surface

• Using a fine grade clay bar is ideal for most vehicle finishes

• If you must use a medium grade clay bar, plan to follow up with a good polish (it will likely leave behind some marring)

• Direct sunlight can cause the clay lube does not dry up too quickly

• A 200g Detailing Clay Bar will make four pieces

• If dropped, throw that piece away

• Knead and reshape the clay often, exposes a clean surface of the clay

• Re-wash your vehicle after claying, this will help remove any residue and loosened contamination

• Clay can also be used on: glass, wheels, and plastics

• For storing your clay bar, spray some of the lubricant in the container to help keep is soft and flexible

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! If you drop your detailing clay on the ground you MUST throw it away! Seriously folks, it will collect dirt from the ground that will scratch your car!