How To Clay Bar Your Ford Mustang?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: August 2, 2023

Ever caught yourself daydreaming about your Ford Mustang and its dazzling, mirror-like finish? Then you might be curious to delve into the artful practice of clay bar detailing.

The procedure is pretty straightforward: grab a brick of detailing clay, and use it to pick up dust and tiny dirt particles from the surface of your Mustang. This method is typically used prior to polishing or applying a ceramic coating, to ensure that the Mustang's body is clean and devoid of impurities.

Let's face it, as you cruise down the road, your Mustang can't help but pick up some unwelcome passengers like dust, dirt, debris, and road grime. Over time, this stuff adheres to your Mustang's paintwork, making it look as if you've just finished a dirty, exhilarating rally race.

That's when the clay bar makes its entrance, serving as an effective and convenient solution to help your Mustang's body get back to its sparkling best.

When Should You Use a Clay Bar for Your Ford Mustang?

Though the clay bar is a potent tool for detailing your Mustang, it's not something you'll use every time you give your car a wash. There are specific situations where a clay bar comes in handy, and we'll run through them below.

• Rough texture. If you glide your hand across your Mustang’s body and notice a gritty feel or tiny bumps, it's a sure sign of surface dirt. This could be tree sap, embedded dust or dirt, or road debris. A clay bar is just the ticket for getting rid of these stubborn particles and restoring a smooth body surface.
• Diminished glossiness. If your paintwork seems dull and lacking its usual luster, chances are some contaminants are to blame. A clay bar doesn’t just eliminate the dirt, but it also revives the shine and reflection in your Mustang's paintwork.
• Prepping for waxing and polishing. Prior to slapping on some wax or polish on your Mustang, you'll want to make sure there's no dirt or contaminants lying around. Using a clay bar first clears off all dirt, making the wax or polish adhere better to the vehicle's surface.

What Do You Need to Clay Bar Your Ford Mustang?

Before you dive into the clay bar process on your Mustang, it's essential to ensure you have all the necessary items at hand. They include:

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

How to Choose the Right Clay Bar for Your Ford Mustang?

Picking the right clay bar ensures that all potential contaminants are eliminated, and your Mustang's paint remains unscathed during the detailing process.

Here are some factors to weigh up when choosing a clay bar:

• Softness and aggressiveness. Clay bars come with varying degrees of softness and aggressiveness. You'll typically find three types: mild, medium, and aggressive. The softness level gives you an idea of how delicately the clay bar will interact with your Mustang's paint.

NOTE: If you're giving your Mustang the clay bar treatment for the first time, it's best to stick with the mild and medium levels. An aggressive clay bar is used when there's a hefty amount of dirt or contaminants, so tread carefully to avoid damaging the paintwork.

• Size and shape. Clay bars come in all shapes and sizes, including larger or smaller pieces. Larger bars work well on even surfaces, while smaller ones are great for those pesky, hard-to-reach areas.
• Clay bar lubricant. Lubricant is a crucial component of the clay barring process. It stops the clay from adhering to your Mustang's body or marring the paint. Some clay bars come packaged with additional lubricant, but occasionally you may need to purchase lubricant separately.
• Brand and reviews. Opting for a reputable product ensures reliability and effectiveness. Do your research and look for a popular brand in the detailing industry while also checking product reviews.
• Price. Clay bars can vary in price depending on the brand, size, and quality. Hunt for the best option for your needs. Also, bear in mind that a higher price tag doesn't always equate to better performance.

How to Clay Bar Your Ford Mustang?

Clay barring your Mustang's body isn't a complex task, and any car enthusiast can take it on. However, there are a few key steps to adhere to so the process runs smoothly and yields a spotless result.

Wash Your Vehicle First

It's strongly advised to clay bar a clean vehicle. So, before you dive into the clay barring process, make sure to wash away all external contaminants and, ideally, complete a full detailing job.

For a detailed guide on washing your Mustang properly, we've put together a comprehensive article on this topic, which you can read here.

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Get Your Clay Bar Ready for Action

Knead a piece of clay in your hands until it softens, then mold it into a disc, ready to be used for polishing.

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Start with a small section

Find a small patch on your Ford Mustang (say, 2 ft x 2 ft). Slather some lubricant on it and get to work with your piece of clay, moving in vertical and horizontal strokes. You might feel some resistance - that's just the clay picking up all that stubborn dirt off your Mustang's body.

Keep at it, adding more lubricant if you feel the clay is starting to stick to your car's body.

Give your Mustang clay bar a check

Every once in a while, take a look at the piece of clay you're using. If it's starting to look like a dirt magnet, mash it around till you've got a clean surface to work with.

Wipe the lubricant off your Mustang with a clean microfiber towel

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off any leftover lubricant. Then, admire your handiwork. The surface should be gleaming, spotless. For the real test, run your finger over it - it should be as smooth as glass. If you're not there yet, give it another round.

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Move on to the next section

Once you've got that showroom shine in one section, it's time to move to the next. Find another 2 ft x 2 ft spot and repeat the process. Don't rush and try to do the whole car in one go - work in small sections until the whole Mustang is done.

The Final Shine

Finish up the process with some polish or wax on your Mustang's body. It's the cherry on top that'll give your car that extra gleam and shine. Plus, it helps to fill in any tiny pores on your car's body that might have been home to dirt particles.

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Where can you use a clay bar, and where should you avoid?

A clay bar isn't a one-size-fits-all tool for every surface or part of your Ford Mustang. To prevent any harm, it's important to know exactly where a clay bar can be safely used, and where it's a no-go.

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

You SHOULDN'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 Mustang is no Herculean task. That said, it's crucial to be on point and cautious throughout the process to avoid any unnecessary damage to your ride's pristine paint job.

When picking out a clay bar, keep a keen eye on its type, size, and brand. Oh, and don't forget to snag some additional lubricant.

If you keep everything in check, you'll nail that perfect finish, giving your Mustang that shiny, showroom-fresh look for the long haul.

 

FAQs

Can I Reuse a Clay Bar After Dropping It?

Short answer, nope. A clay bar's a sticky fella, so dropping it means it's going to pick up all sorts of contaminants and grime from wherever it lands. Don't think about using that clay on your Mustang's body - you'll only end up causing damage.

Tiny specks of dirt, sand, and debris become abrasives, potentially scratching your Mustang's paint job. So, if you happen to drop a piece of clay bar, ditch it immediately.

What's Next After Clay Barring?

Once you're done with the clay barring, it's important to protect your Mustang's body. This is when waxing or polishing comes into play.

Not only will it give your Mustang a glimmering, fresh-off-the-lot look, but it also safeguards the pores of your car's body from any kind of contamination.