The Best Clay Bar For Cars (Honest Review 2022)

What is a clay bar? What does a clay bar do? If you’re a beginner, you may ask these question.

A clay bar is necessary for car detailing. It can clean dirt, stubborn road tars, tree saps, bugs, and bird droppings that soap and water can not do. Moreover, it can help to restore the shine and make it easier to apply polish or wax.

However, not all clay bars are the same.

Choosing the right one is very important not to damage the car paint.

In this post, I will share information about which type of clay bar is suitable for car detailing. I also recommend the three best clay bars I have used.

Keep reading to learn more!

Types of Clay Bars

There are three different types of clay bars: Fine, Medium, and Heavy/Aggressive.

Fine clay bars are soft and tend to remove light contaminants. It will not harm the paint finish; however, it is not strong enough for overspray or tree saps. If you love clay your car regularly, Fine clay bars are good.

Medium clay bars are more aggressive than fine clay bars. People tend to use medium clay bars to remove stubborn contaminants. However, we need to apply polish afterward.

Heavy/Aggressive clay bars have the most robust duty. It can remove deep and hard contaminants; however, it may harm the car paint, so it’s better to apply compound and polish afterward. An it’s safe to use on metal wheels and glass.

Best Clay Bar For Cars (Quick Buying Chart)

I have summarized the 3 best car detailing clay bars in the table in case you do not have much time to read my detailed review—a quick look to save your time and have the right purchase.

The 3 Best Car Clay Bars

1. Mothers Clay Bar Kit

This is the best clay bar kit for car paint.

What I Like:

Most clays on the market are usually stiff, but Mothers 07240 California Gold offers something different. This clay kit is more malleable, making it easier to use and remold for subsequent use. After using, my car paint looks like glass, smooth and gloss.

Mothers 07240 California is very generous with their clay kit. In the box, I find a 16-ounce instant detailer, two gold clay bars, and a microfiber cloth to wipe off your car when I am finished claying. I can use this product on glass, plastic, and trim. 

The instant detailer can be applied to many surfaces, including clear coats, and it gives off a mild cinnamon scent.

What I Don’t Like:

Mothers 07240 California is a little bit sticky.

Overall, I rate this product 9.5/10. Highly recommend to buy.

2. Chemical Guys Clay Bar

This is the best clay bar for light duty.

What I Like:

Chemical Guys have been around since the 1970s and have built quite a reputation. The clay has a comfortable grip, and easy to use. It helps me lift contaminants like rail dust, mud and gives my vehicle a smooth finish when the claying process is over.

All I have to do is spray and clay. Furthermore, it doesn’t strip off my car wax. 

Overall, I rate this product 9.1/10 for its quality.

There are two types of Chemical Guy’s clay bars: Light and Heavy.

You can buy one of them below:

3. Meguiar’s G10240 Clay Bar Kit For Cars

This is the best clay bar for black cars.

What I Like:

The Meguair’s G10240 Smooth Surface clay kit comes last on my list, but it’s not the least in quality. The box holds three 80-gram clay bars, a lubricant and a microfiber towel.

Meguiar’s G10240 clay bar is malleable like the Mother’s California clay bar, and it is also long-lasting. While claying, the bar might fall, leading to waste. With this bar, I no need to worry about that; I can wash off dirt from the bar with ease if it falls. It also can clean contaminants and remove light scratches.

What I Don’t Like:

Sometimes, it left a light blue residue on my single-stage paint.

Overall, I rate it 9.0/10. You can buy it below:

How Often Should You Clay Bar Your Car?

The clay bar depends on your car’s exposure to contaminants. Normally, I will clay bar my car 2-3 times a year.

Does Clay Bar Damage Clear Coat and Wax?

No, a clay bar will not damage your clear coat or wax. In fact, it can actually help to restore the shine to your paint by removing any contaminants that may be dulling it.

Do I Need To Polish after The Clay Bar?

No, you do not need to polish after using a clay bar. However, if you want to achieve the best possible shine, you may want to follow up with a polishing step.

How To Use A Clay Bar?

The below video will guide you the proper way to clay bar your car.

See also: Water Spots on Cars Won’t Come Off – What To Do?