Halfords Clay and Detailing Kit - tested

01st February 2009

Waxing your car’s bodywork can leave it with a great-looking and long-lasting finish. But to achieve this, it’s essential that you prepare the paint properly – and this is where clay bars like this new product from the Halfords Advanced range come into their own.

To get the best results, you should always wash the car thoroughly before applying.

By then massaging a small, flat piece of the clay bar gently across the bodywork – with the aid of some of the lubrication provided in the pack – you will be able to remove overspray, as well as industrial fall-out and minor oxidisation of the paint. Marks left by falling berries or bird lime will also be lifted.

In addition, the clay bar will flatten any rough spots, leaving your paintwork feeling like glass. By the time you’ve finished polishing, this also helps to give it a much more glossy look and the colours a deeper shade than before.

Wax should also be easier to apply once the claying process is complete, and the sparkling results will last longer. To keep your vehicle looking its best, it’s advisable to do this job at least twice a year. The Halfords kit includes a 100g clay bar, as well as 475ml of clay lubricant and a multi-purpose, microfibre cloth.

The clay is suitable for solid, metallic, pearlescent and clear-coat paints, and can be used on glass, wheels and chrome, too.