Clay Bars Tested

A clay bar will remove tiny contaminants from your bodywork, leaving a smooth finish for you to wax or polish. We pick from 12

Auto Express Car Reviews

September 2011

Clay bars were once the best-kept secret of car cleaning – loved by detailers but virtually unknown by most motorists. Yet now, mainstream car care brands are producing their own clays to help drivers achieve the ideal surface before applying a wax or polish.

A clay bar looks a bit like Blu-Tack, and it performs in much the same way. Rub it along your bodywork, and it will lift away contaminants that are left behind after even the most thorough washing – things like brake dust, bird droppings and dead insects.

Run your finger over your freshly washed car, and you’ll feel these tiny particles; the effect is increased if you slip a plastic bag over your hand. But once you’ve removed them, the wax or polish can bond better with the paint, improving the shine and durability.

Since our last test, car cleaning giants Turtle Wax, CarPlan and Mer have launched their own clay bars, while existing products have been updated. So which cleans up this time? We tried 12 to find out.

The Test

Each clay bar was tested on a sectioned-off roof panel, as well as a car window with overspray, using the same limited wiping. We assessed the progress made by sticking our finger in a plastic bag and running it over the surface.

All clays need some help to slide along, so we used the lubricant where supplied, water where applicable and Dodo Juice’s Basics lube for the individual bars. Finally, we looked at what you get for your money – ie whether the kit included cloths, polish and lube, as well as the clay. And as all the bars can be used more than once, some kind of storage scored points.

Verdict

Hanging on to its crown is Bilt-Hamber, with its Regular clay. It’s effective, good value and works with water. Once again, Vertar just loses out, as it needs a lube to work best. Meguiar’s revised Smooth Surface Clay is our favourite kit, in third.

Top 3

Bilt-Hamber Regular
Vertar V-clay Medium V
Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit

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1 Comment

Best place for Clay

hi. all clay bars are basically the same made by the same 2 companies with the same recipe I have used loads of different makes and none have really been better than the others. the only difference is the price. the best place I have found for buying clay in the uk is
www.rhinocarcare.yolasite.com

By remapz on 17 December, 2011, 7:19pm

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