auto-clay regular provides a method of removing harmful contamination from vehicle paint finishes, improving its durability and increasing the gloss level of subsequent waxes. auto-clay regular is ideally suited to cars not previously clayed, heavily contaminated or for the removal of overspray. It's also great for hot summer months or warmer climates.
Contamination can consist of tiny metallic particles from rail dust, brake dust and industrial fallout; or non-metallic substances such as tree sap, bird droppings or insect residue. It affects all paint finishes and can cause serious damage when left untreated. Surprisingly, even brand-new cars and trucks can suffer from paint contamination. Metallic contamination is perhaps the worst offender; whilst stuck into the paint surface it corrodes and expands leading to the onset of paint film destruction.
Paint contamination can be felt as a rough or gritty texture on the freshly cleaned paint's surface.
This contamination cannot be removed by washing, waxing and/or polishing.
To assess the degree of contamination on you car's finish simply rub your fingers gently over the freshly washed paint - to magnify the sensation place a piece of cellophane beneath your finger tips and gently rub back and forth - if your paint needs to be clayed you will feel the gritty texture. It is usual to find that horizontal panels such as bonnet roof and boot lid are the most affected.
auto-clay removes these particles effortlessly from contaminated surfaces leaving a glass smooth ultra clean finish perfectly prepared for the application of waxes and other final stage products.
auto-clay is provided in regular, medium and soft grades. Regular for intensive cleaning of moderate to heavy contamination and / or summer use, soft clay is designed for more frequent and / or winter use and medium clay is suitable for all round use. All grades contain exactly the same particle size and low moh's hardness pure mineral filler.
A Comparison
Competing clays require the use of special lubricants. Bilt-Hamber Laboratories auto-clay differs as its formulation enables normal tap water to provide the necessary lubrication. Some clay bars contain surfactants such as powdered detergents or soaps. Long-term use of surfactants can have adverse effects on paint systems - auto-clay contains no surfactants detergents soaps or other soluble materials.
This contamination cannot be removed by washing, waxing and/or polishing. Cutting compounds remove a thin layer of paint but still leave the embedment behind.
