How To Clay Bar Your Ford Fusion?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: August 2, 2023

Ever given your Ford Fusion a good long look, admired its sleekness, and wondered about the magic behind its gleaming charm? Well, it's all about mastering a technique known as clay bar detailing.

The concept is pretty straightforward: you use a clay bar brick to pick up tiny bits of dust and grime from your Fusion's body. You'd typically do this before polishing or applying ceramic coating to ensure the Fusion's body is perfectly clean and rid of any particles.

As you cruise the streets, your Fusion picks up a myriad of contaminants like dirt, dust, random debris, and that relentless road grime. All these unwanted guests cling to your Fusion's paintwork, making it seem like you've been on a dusty, wild adventure. That's where the trusty clay bar steps in, being your go-to solution for giving your Fusion that much-needed, thorough clean.

When Is It Best to Use a Clay Bar for Your Ford Fusion?

While the clay bar is an excellent tool for detailing your Ford Fusion, it's not something you'd use every time you wash your ride. There are specific scenarios where the clay bar shines, which we'll dive into below.

• Rough to the touch. If you run your hand over your Fusion's body and it feels more like sandpaper than silk, you're dealing with surface dirt. It could be tree sap, trapped dust, or road debris. That's where the clay bar comes to the rescue, eliminating those rough particles and reviving the smooth feel of your Fusion's body.
• Lackluster look. If you notice that your paintwork has lost its glossy allure, the culprits are likely various contaminants. Using a clay bar will not only purge the grime but will also return the glitz and glamour to your Ford Fusion's paintwork.
• Waxing and polishing prep. Before you even think about waxing or polishing your Ford Fusion, it's crucial to make sure there's no dust or grime on the surface. A clay bar will ensure a pristine canvas, helping the wax or polish adhere better to your vehicle's body.

What Do You Need to Clay Bar Your Ford Fusion?

Before you embark on your clay bar mission with your Ford Fusion, make sure you're well-equipped. You're going to need:

• Water (buckets or a water hose will do);
• Car shampoo;
• Microfiber towels;
• A soft brush;
• A clay bar;
• Clay bar lube

Picking the Right Clay Bar for Your Ford Fusion

Choosing the correct clay bar makes a world of difference to ensure all potential contaminants are effectively removed, and your Fusion's paint is protected during the detailing process.

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

• Softness and aggressiveness. Clay bars come in different levels of softness and aggressiveness. Generally, you'll find three categories: mild, medium, and aggressive. The softness level indicates how gently the clay bar will treat your Ford Fusion's paintwork.

NOTE: If you're applying a clay bar to your Ford Fusion for the first time, it's advised to start with the mild and medium options. The aggressive type is reserved for extreme cases of dirt and contaminants, and should be used with caution to avoid damaging the paintwork.

• Size and shape. Clay bars come in various sizes and shapes, like larger or smaller pieces. Larger bars are perfect for wide surfaces, while smaller ones are excellent for those narrow and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
• Clay bar lubricant. The lubricant is an essential part of the clay barring process. It prevents the clay from adhering to the Fusion's body or marring the paint. When you buy a clay bar, it might come with additional lubricant. However, you might sometimes need to purchase the lubricant separately.
• Brand and reviews. Sticking with a reputable brand can be a good indicator of the product's reliability and effectiveness. While doing your research, make sure to check out the reviews as well.
• Price. The cost of clay bars can vary based on brand, size, and quality. Seek out the option that works best for you. But remember, a higher price doesn't always guarantee better performance.

How to Clay Bar Your Ford Fusion?

Clay barring your Ford Fusion isn't a complicated task and can be done by any car enthusiast. However, there are a few rules to follow to ensure a smooth process and flawless results.

Start by Washing Your Vehicle

It's always best to start the clay barring process with a clean vehicle. Therefore, before jumping into the task, wash off all the exterior contaminants and, if possible, complete a thorough detailing.

If you're looking for a detailed guide on washing your Ford Fusion properly, we've prepared a comprehensive article on this topic, which you can check out here.

Shop From Amazon

Getting Your Clay Bar Ready

Take a piece of clay and knead it in your hands until it becomes soft. Once it's ready, mold it into a disc that will be used for polishing.

Shop From Amazon

Begin with a Small Area

Pick a small section of your Ford Fusion (2 ft x 2 ft) to start. Apply the lubricant to this section and start rubbing it with a piece of clay using vertical and horizontal strokes. You might feel some friction - that's the clay picking up the grime from your Fusion's body.

Keep going with the cleaning process. If necessary, apply more lubricant if you notice the clay starts sticking to the body of the car.

Regularly Check Your Ford Fusion Clay Bar

Every so often, take a peek at the piece of clay you're using to clean your ride. If it's filled with dirt and debris, knead it until you've got a clean piece of clay in your hands and keep going with that.

Remove the Lubricant from the Ford Fusion with a Clean Microfiber Towel

Wipe away the leftover lubricant with a microfiber towel. Check out the finished surface - it should be gleaming and spotless.

Want to make sure? Run your fingers over it - it should feel as smooth as glass. If you haven't reached that point yet, go ahead and repeat the previous steps.

Shop From Amazon

Proceed to the Next Section

Once you're happy with the results on one section, move onto the next one. Pick another 2 ft x 2 ft area and repeat the steps on it. Don't try to tackle the entire surface of the Ford Fusion all at once - work in small sections until you're finished.

Applying the Final Touch

The process should be completed by polishing or waxing the body of your Ford Fusion - this will give your car a sleek, shiny finish. Waxing also helps to fill the tiny holes on the Fusion's body where small particles of dirt used to be.

Shop From Amazon

Where Can You Use a Clay Bar, and Where Not?

Clay bars aren't a one-size-fits-all tool for every surface or part of the Ford Fusion. To prevent any potential damage, it's crucial to know where you can safely use a clay bar for dirt removal and where you can't.

You CAN use a clay bar on:

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

However, you CAN'T use a clay bar on:

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

Wrapping It All Up

Clay barring your Ford Fusion isn't a tough task, but you've got to stay alert and meticulous to prevent any inadvertent harm to your car's paint job.

When picking out a clay bar, consider its type, size, and brand, and remember to snag some additional lubricant too.

If you do it all just right, you'll end up with a superb result, keeping your fantastic Ford Fusion looking glossy and in tip-top shape for a good long while.

 

FAQs

Can I Reuse a Clay Bar Piece If I Drop It?

Sorry, no can do. A clay bar is sticky stuff, so if you drop it, it's going to pick up all sorts of debris from wherever it lands. You definitely don't want to use that clay on your Ford Fusion's body - it'll do more harm than good.

Tiny particles of dirt, sand, and debris will act like sandpaper, potentially scratching up your Fusion's paintwork. If you happen to drop a piece of clay bar, your best bet is to toss it right away.

What Should I Do Once I'm Done Clay Barring?

Once you've finished the clay barring process, you'll want to safeguard your Ford Fusion's body. This is where a good waxing or polishing job comes in handy.

Not only will it leave your Fusion sparkling and looking like new, it'll also seal off the pores in your car's body, protecting against all kinds of contamination.