{"id":2202,"date":"2024-01-26T09:56:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T09:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/?p=2202"},"modified":"2024-01-26T14:27:35","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T14:27:35","slug":"clay-towel-vs-clay-bar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/","title":{"rendered":"Clay Towel vs. Clay Bar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you&#8217;re an auto detailing enthusiast, you&#8217;ve likely heard about <strong>clay bars and clay towels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg\" alt=\"Clay Towel vs. Clay Bar\" class=\"wp-image-2248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar-768x403.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But what exactly are they, and what&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/bath-towel-vs-washcloth\/\">difference between<\/a> the two?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#What_is_a_Clay_Bar\" title=\"What is a Clay Bar?\">What is a Clay Bar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#What_is_a_Clay_Towel\" title=\"What is a Clay Towel?\">What is a Clay Towel?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Clay_Towel_vs_Clay_Bar_Key_Differences\" title=\"Clay Towel vs Clay Bar: Key Differences\">Clay Towel vs Clay Bar: Key Differences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#How_to_Choose_Clay_Towel_vs_Clay_Bar\" title=\"How to Choose: Clay Towel vs Clay Bar\">How to Choose: Clay Towel vs Clay Bar<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Level_of_Paint_Contamination\" title=\"Level of Paint Contamination\">Level of Paint Contamination<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Type_of_Vehicle\" title=\"Type of Vehicle\">Type of Vehicle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#User_Skill_Level\" title=\"User Skill Level\">User Skill Level<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Budget\" title=\"Budget\">Budget<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Time_Investment\" title=\"Time Investment\">Time Investment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#How_to_Use_a_Clay_Towel\" title=\"How to Use a Clay Towel\">How to Use a Clay Towel<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Supplies_Needed\" title=\"Supplies Needed\">Supplies Needed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Process\" title=\"Process\">Process<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#How_often_should_you_clay_a_vehicle\" title=\"How often should you clay a vehicle?\">How often should you clay a vehicle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Can_you_clay_paint_without_lubricant\" title=\"Can you clay paint without lubricant?\">Can you clay paint without lubricant?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Do_you_need_to_polish_after_claying\" title=\"Do you need to polish after claying?\">Do you need to polish after claying?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#What_happens_if_you_drop_the_clay_towelbar\" title=\"What happens if you drop the clay towel\/bar?\">What happens if you drop the clay towel\/bar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Can_you_use_clay_on_matte_or_satin_paint\" title=\"Can you use clay on matte or satin paint?\">Can you use clay on matte or satin paint?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/clay-towel-vs-clay-bar\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Clay_Bar\"><\/span>What is a Clay Bar?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A clay bar is a detailing product made of soft, malleable clay that is used to remove contaminants from automotive paint. <strong>Clay bars are a traditional detailing tool that have been used for many years.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Clay bars are made from natural or synthetic modeling clay.<\/strong> They come in a bar form that you knead in your hands to warm up and soften before use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The clay material is sticky, which allows it to grab onto and pull out contaminants like tree sap, bug guts, rail dust, and industrial fallout that are stuck to the vehicle&#8217;s clear coat.<\/strong> Using a clay bar restores a glass-like smoothness to the paint by getting rid of embedded particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To use a clay bar, you rub it back and forth over the painted surface of the vehicle using a lubricant like detail spray or clay lube.<\/strong> The lubricant allows the clay bar to glide smoothly across the paint without causing scratches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As you rub the clay bar over the paint, it picks up contaminants and they become trapped in the clay.<\/strong> You then knead and fold the clay to bring fresh material to the surface so it can continue cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the clay becomes saturated with contaminants, it will lose its effectiveness and need to be discarded. <strong>Most clay bars are good for 1-2 uses on an average sized vehicle before needing to be replaced.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advantages of clay bars:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Very effective at removing bonded contaminants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaves paint incredibly smooth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disadvantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Labor intensive process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requires kneading and reworking clay frequently<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easily dropped and ruined if not careful<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short lifespan &#8211; 1-2 uses typically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Clay_Towel\"><\/span>What is a Clay Towel?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/how-to-use-a-clay-towel\/\">clay towel<\/a> is a newer style of clay detailing product.<\/strong> Instead of a bar form, <strong>clay towel is an actual <a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/bath-towel-vs-beach-towel\/\">microfiber towel<\/a> infused with synthetic clay material.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Clay towels provide the contaminant-removal abilities of traditional clay bars in a more convenient and user-friendly format.<\/strong> They were designed to solve some of the frustrations that can come with using old school clay bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>With a clay towel, there is no kneading required.<\/strong> You simply wipe it across the painted surface to pick up contaminants. <strong>The towel can be rinsed clean of debris under running water and reused multiple times before needing to be replaced.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Clay towels are flexible and can easily be molded to fit curved or angled surfaces.<\/strong> This makes them great for cleaning intricate or tight areas that would be difficult to reach with a clay bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Using a clay towel involves a similar process to using a clay bar:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Wash and dry the vehicle first<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mist painted surface with lubricant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wipe clay towel across area using light pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rinse towel frequently to remove contaminants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dry paint and feel for smoothness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advantages of clay towels:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>More convenient and user friendly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No kneading required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easier to use on curved\/angled surfaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can be rinsed and reused multiple times<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disadvantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>May not remove bonded contaminants as thoroughly as clay bar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Still requires lubricant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clay_Towel_vs_Clay_Bar_Key_Differences\"><\/span>Clay Towel vs Clay Bar: Key Differences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you understand what clay bars and clay towels are separately, let&#8217;s compare the two side-by-side:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Clay Bar<\/th><th>Clay Towel<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Kneading required<\/td><td>No kneading<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Short 1-2 use lifespan<\/td><td>Reusable many times<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Easily dropped and ruined<\/td><td>Dropping not an issue<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Natural or synthetic clay<\/td><td>Synthetic clay only<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Difficult on curved panels<\/td><td>Easily forms to curves<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, <strong>clay towels solve a lot of the frustrations that can come with traditional clay bars.<\/strong> However, experienced detailers will tell you that clay bars remain unrivaled in their ability to deliver that glass-like automotive paint perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So which is better? <strong>There is no definitive &#8220;better&#8221; option.<\/strong> It comes down to personal preference and your specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Key Takeaway:<\/strong> Clay towels offer greater convenience and ease of use compared to traditional clay bars. But clay bars may provide superior contaminant removal for neglected paint.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Choose_Clay_Towel_vs_Clay_Bar\"><\/span>How to Choose: Clay Towel vs Clay Bar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When deciding between using a clay towel or clay bar on your vehicle, here are some factors to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Level_of_Paint_Contamination\"><\/span>Level of Paint Contamination<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>For lightly contaminated paint or regular maintenance, a&nbsp;<strong>clay towel<\/strong>&nbsp;will sufficiently remove bonded contaminants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For heavily contaminated or neglected paint, a&nbsp;<strong>clay bar<\/strong>&nbsp;will likely be required to deep clean effectively<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Type_of_Vehicle\"><\/span>Type of Vehicle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>For vehicles with lots of curved panels and intricate design, a&nbsp;<strong>clay towel<\/strong>&nbsp;will be easier to maneuver<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For vehicles with large flat panels, a&nbsp;<strong>clay bar<\/strong>&nbsp;may work fine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"User_Skill_Level\"><\/span>User Skill Level<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>For beginners, a&nbsp;<strong>clay towel<\/strong>&nbsp;is more forgiving and easier to use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experienced detailers may prefer the contaminant removal power of a&nbsp;<strong>clay bar<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Budget\"><\/span>Budget<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clay towels<\/strong>&nbsp;can be used many times, providing more value over time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clay bars<\/strong>&nbsp;have a shorter 1-2 use lifespan before needing to be replaced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time_Investment\"><\/span>Time Investment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clay towels<\/strong>&nbsp;allow you to decontaminate paint faster<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clay bars<\/strong>&nbsp;require more time due to kneading and working in small sections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, there are some tradeoffs to consider when choosing between clay towels and clay bars. Think about your specific vehicle, detailing needs and preferences to decide which option may be right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Key Takeaway<\/strong>: Consider paint condition, vehicle type, skill level, cost, and time when deciding between clay towels vs clay bars.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Use_a_Clay_Towel\"><\/span>How to Use a Clay Towel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since clay towels offer quick contaminant removal for many detailers, here is a step-by-step guide on how to use one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supplies_Needed\"><\/span>Supplies Needed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Clay towel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lubricant (detail spray, clay lube, soap solution)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean <a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/beach-towel-vs-bath-sheet\/\">microfiber towels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bucket of water for rinsing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Process\"><\/span>Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Wash and dry the vehicle<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; decontamination works best on a squeaky clean surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mist a small section of paint with lubricant<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; this allows the clay towel to glide smoothly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wipe the clay towel across the paint<\/strong>&nbsp;using light pressure and frequent overlaps. Move it back and forth to remove bonded contaminants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rinse the clay towel<\/strong>&nbsp;often in the bucket of water to prevent scratched from embedded particles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Feel for smoothness<\/strong>&nbsp;and repeat steps 2-4 until section no longer feels gritty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wipe area with a clean, dry towel<\/strong>&nbsp;to remove lubricant residue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move to adjacent sections<\/strong>&nbsp;of the vehicle until all painted surfaces have been clayed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When finished, hand wash the clay towel using a gentle cleaner and let air dry before storage. It can now be reused.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Key Takeaway:<\/strong> Proper clay towel use involves washing the car first, lubricating paint, wiping with light pressure, rinsing often, and repeating until smooth.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_often_should_you_clay_a_vehicle\"><\/span>How often should you clay a vehicle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For most vehicles, claying every 6 months is ideal to keep paint free of bonded contaminants. More frequent claying may be needed for cars in harsh environments or that are driven daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_clay_paint_without_lubricant\"><\/span>Can you clay paint without lubricant?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Never clay paint without a lubricant &#8211; this will certainly cause scratches and swirls. Detail spray, clay lube and soapy water all work to lubricate the clay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_you_need_to_polish_after_claying\"><\/span>Do you need to polish after claying?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on the condition of the paint. If no marring occurs, you may not need to polish. However, inspect closely under lighting and polish if you see any minor scratches from the claying process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_you_drop_the_clay_towelbar\"><\/span>What happens if you drop the clay towel\/bar?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With a clay towel, just rinse it thoroughly before continuing to pick up any debris that transferred. For clay bars, discard it and use a new bar so embedded grit doesn&#8217;t scratch your paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_use_clay_on_matte_or_satin_paint\"><\/span>Can you use clay on matte or satin paint?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, avoid claying matte or satin finishes as it will affect the specialized paint texture. Use a paint cleaner instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you choose a <strong>clay bar or clay towel<\/strong>, claying is an essential process to decontaminate automobile paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While less popular, traditional <strong>clay bars<\/strong> still deliver unrivaled contaminant bonding and removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Clay towels<\/strong> offer quick cleaning thanks to their reusable microfiber fabric design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re an auto detailing enthusiast, you&#8217;ve likely heard about clay bars and clay towels. But what exactly are they, and what&#8217;s the difference between the two? What is a Clay Bar? A clay bar is a detailing product made of soft, malleable clay that is used to remove contaminants from automotive paint. Clay bars [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,39],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg",1200,630,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg",1200,630,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar-768x403.jpeg",768,403,true],"large":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg",1200,630,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg",1200,630,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Clay-Towel-vs.-Clay-Bar.jpeg",1200,630,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>If you&#8217;re an auto detailing enthusiast, you&#8217;ve likely heard about clay bars and clay towels. But what exactly are they, and what&#8217;s the difference between the two? Table of Contents Toggle What is a Clay Bar?What is a Clay Towel?Clay Towel vs Clay Bar: Key DifferencesHow to Choose: Clay Towel vs Clay BarLevel of Paint ContaminationType of VehicleUser Skill LevelBudgetTime InvestmentHow to Use a Clay TowelSupplies NeededProcessFAQsHow often should you clay a vehicle?Can you clay paint without lubricant?Do you need to polish after claying?What happens if you drop the clay towel\/bar?Can you use clay on matte or satin paint?Conclusion What&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/category\/clay-towels\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Clay Towels<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/category\/comparisons\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Comparisons<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Emma Kellam","url":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/author\/towelsemma\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2202"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2253,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2202\/revisions\/2253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/towelsedition.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}