How To Clay Bar Your Ford Explorer?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: August 2, 2023

Ever marveled at the pristine and glossy exterior of your Ford Explorer? Then you're bound to be intrigued by the process of clay bar detailing.

The procedure goes like this: you get a block of clay bar and employ it to gather minute dust particles and debris from your Ford Explorer's body. This technique is employed before polishing or ceramic coating your vehicle. It's essential for ensuring your Ford Explorer's body is spotless and free of impurities.

As you cruise the streets, your Explorer inevitably picks up a mix of contaminants like dirt, dust, debris, and road grime. All this unwanted matter sticks to your Ford Explorer's bodywork, giving it a grimy and lackluster appearance, as if it's just been through an off-road adventure. This is where a clay bar steps up, offering a convenient and effective cleaning solution for your Ford's body.

When Is It Appropriate to Use a Clay Bar for Ford Explorer?

A clay bar is a potent and useful tool for detailing your Ford Explorer, but it's not something to use every time you wash your vehicle. A clay bar should be used in certain situations, which we'll outline below.

• Rough or uneven surface. If you glide your hand across your Explorer's body and detect roughness or minor bumps, that's a surefire sign of surface dirt. It could be tree sap, trapped dust or dirt, or road debris. A clay bar will be your best ally in removing these stubborn particles and reclaiming a smooth surface.
• Notable loss of shine. If you notice that your paintwork has lost its luster and usual gleaming look, various contaminants are likely to blame. A clay bar not only eliminates all the dirt, but it also restores the shine and gloss to your Ford Explorer's body paint.
• Prepping for waxing and polishing. Before you wax or polish your Ford Explorer, make sure there's no dirt or other impurities on the surface. Using a clay bar first removes all dirt, allowing the wax or polish to adhere better to the vehicle's body.

What items do you need to clay bar Ford Explorer?

Before you start the clay bar process on your Ford Explorer, it's critical to make sure you've got all the necessary items on hand. They include:

• Water (buckets of water or a water hose);
• Car shampoo;
• Microfiber towels;
• Soft brush;
• Clay bar;
• Clay bar lube

How to choose a proper clay bar for your Ford Explorer?

Selecting the correct clay bar ensures that all possible contaminants are eliminated without causing any damage to your Ford's paint during the detailing process.

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a clay bar:

• Softness and aggressiveness. Clay bars can have different levels of softness and aggressiveness. Typically, you'll find three types: mild, medium, and aggressive. The level of softness indicates how gently the clay bar will interact with your Ford Explorer's paintwork.

NOTE: If you're applying a clay bar to your Ford Explorer for the first time, it's advisable to start with mild and medium levels. The aggressive type of clay bar is used when there's heavy dirt or contaminants, so caution is needed to avoid damaging the paintwork.

• Size and shape. Clay bars come in a variety of sizes and shapes, like larger or smaller pieces. Larger bars work well on even surfaces, while smaller ones are ideal for tiny and hard-to-reach areas.
• Clay bar lubricant. A lubricant is an essential part of clay barring. It prevents the clay from sticking to your Explorer's body or marring the paint. When you purchase a clay bar, it might come with a lubricant. However, sometimes you need to buy lubricant separately.
• Brand and reviews. Choosing a reputable product ensures its reliability and effectiveness. Look for popular brands in the detailing industry and check out product reviews.
• Price. Clay bars vary in cost depending on the brand, size, and quality. Seek the best option for your budget. And remember, a higher price tag doesn't always equate to better performance.

How to clay bar your Ford Explorer?

Clay barring the body of your Ford Explorer isn't complicated, so any enthusiast can tackle it. However, it's essential to adhere to some rules to ensure the process is smooth and delivers the best result.

Wash your vehicle first

We strongly recommend performing a clay-barring procedure on a clean vehicle. So before getting started, you'll want to wash away all exterior contaminants and ideally conduct a full detailing.

If you need a comprehensive guide on washing your Ford Explorer properly - we have prepared a complete article on this topic, which you can read here.

Shop From Amazon

Prepare a clay bar for work

Knead a piece of clay in your hands until it softens, then shape it into a disc that will be used for polishing.

Shop From Amazon

Start with a small section

Start with a small section of your Ford Explorer (2 ft x 2 ft). Apply lubricant to it, and start rubbing it with a piece of clay in both vertical and horizontal movements. You may feel some resistance - this is the clay collecting dirt from the Explorer's body.

Continue with the body cleaning process. If necessary, add more lubricant if you feel the clay starts sticking to the vehicle's body.

Periodically check your Ford Explorer bar

From time to time, examine the piece of clay you're using to wipe the car. If it's gathered dirt and debris, knead it until you have a clean surface, then continue with your work.

Wipe the lubricant off the Ford Explorer with a clean microfiber towel

Wipe off any remaining lubricant with a microfiber cloth. Then inspect the finished surface. It should be shiny and clear.

To be sure, you need to run your finger over it - it should feel as smooth as glass to the touch. If this result isn't achieved, repeat the previous actions.

Shop From Amazon

Move to another section

After achieving the desired result in one section, move on to the next. Select another 2 ft x 2 ft area and repeat the above steps. Don't attempt to treat the entire surface of the Ford Explorer at once - instead, work in small sections until the job is complete.

Adding a final touch

This process should conclude with polishing or waxing the Ford Explorer's body - this will enhance the vehicle's appearance and make it more shiny. It also helps to fill in small holes on the Explorer's body where small particles of dirt were previously lodged.

Shop From Amazon

Where can you use a clay bar, and where not?

A clay bar isn't a universal tool for every surface or part of the Ford Explorer. To avoid causing damage, it's important to know exactly where you can and can't use a clay bar for cleaning dirt.

A clay bar CAN be applied to:

• Paintwork;
• Glass;
• Clear optical plastics (headlights/tail lights);
• Polished metals (stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, etc.);
• Wheels;
• Carbon fiber;
• Exhaust tips;
• Clear bras

A clay bar CAN'T be applied to:

• Matte paintwork/vinyl wraps;
• Textured plastic trim;
• Rubber (door/window seals, tires)

To Sum Everything Up

Clay barring your Ford Explorer isn't a tricky procedure, but it requires attention and care to avoid unnecessary damage to your vehicle's paint job.

When choosing a clay bar, consider its type, size, and brand, and don't skimp on a quality lubricant.

If you handle the process correctly, you'll achieve a superior result, leaving your trusty Ford Explorer looking pristine and shiny for a good while.

 

FAQs

Can I Use A Clay Bar Piece After Dropping It?

Absolutely not. A clay bar is sticky by nature, and if dropped, it'll pick up all the dirt and contaminants from the floor. You definitely don't want to be rubbing that into your Ford Explorer's body - you'll just end up damaging it.

Little particles of dirt, sand, and debris can act like sandpaper, potentially scratching your Explorer's bodywork. So if you accidentally drop a piece of clay bar, the best thing to do is toss it straight into the bin.

What Do I Have To Do After Clay Baring Is Finished?

Once you've completed the clay barring process, it's crucial to protect your Ford Explorer's body. A follow-up with waxing or polishing is the way to go.

This not only leaves your Ford Explorer looking fresh and dazzling but also guards the bodywork's pores against any sort of contamination.