How To Clay Bar Your Subaru Forester?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: August 2, 2023

Ever paused to admire your Subaru Forester's sleek and glossy finish? If so, you'll likely take an interest in mastering the craft of clay bar detailing.

The procedure is pretty straightforward: you grab a piece of clay bar and utilize it to gather dust and tiny particles off the body of your Subaru Forester. This technique is typically performed prior to any polishing or ceramic coating application, ensuring the Forester's body is spotless and devoid of contaminants.

As you navigate the roads, your Forester collects an array of pollutants such as dust, debris, and road grime. These unwanted hitchhikers cling to your vehicle's paintwork, dulling its shine as though you've just completed a thrilling off-road adventure. This is where a clay bar shines, serving as an effective and handy solution for keeping your Forester's body spick and span.

When Is It Suitable to Use a Clay Bar for Subaru Forester?

The clay bar is a highly potent and convenient tool for detailing a Subaru Forester, yet it's use should be considered only occasionally during your car wash routine. A clay bar is recommended in a few specific circumstances, which we'll outline below.

• Rough or uneven surface. If you slide your hand over your Forester’s body and sense any roughness or tiny bumps, that's an indication of surface dirt. This can include tree sap, embedded dust or dirt, or roadway debris. A clay bar comes in handy here, lifting off these stubborn particles and restoring a smooth body surface.
• Obvious loss of shine. If you observe that your paintwork has lost its typical luster, various pollutants are likely at fault. A clay bar not only eliminates all the grime but also revitalizes the shine and gloss to your Subaru Forester's body paint.
• Preparation for waxing and polishing. Before you apply wax or polish to your Forester, ensure that there's no dirt or other impurities on the surface. Using a clay bar first eradicates all the dirt, allowing wax or polish to adhere more effectively to the vehicle's body surface.

What Items Do You Need to Clay Bar Your Subaru Forester?

Before you dive into the clay bar project for your Subaru Forester, it's crucial to make sure you have all the necessary equipment at hand. Your checklist should include:

• Water (either in buckets or via a water hose);
• Car shampoo;
• Microfiber towels;
• Soft brush;
• Clay bar;
• Clay bar lubricant

How to Select an Appropriate Clay Bar for Your Subaru Forester?

The right clay bar choice ensures that all potential pollutants are eliminated, and no harm is inflicted upon your Subaru's paint during detailing.

Here are some considerations for selecting a clay bar:

• Softness and aggressiveness. Clay bars can vary in softness and levels of aggressiveness. Generally, there are three types: mild, medium, and aggressive. The level of softness signifies how gently the clay bar will interact with your Subaru Forester's paint.

NOTE: If you're applying a clay bar to your Subaru Forester for the first time, it's advisable to start with the mild and medium levels. An aggressive type of clay bar is utilized when there's heavy dirt or contaminants, but caution is needed to avoid damaging the body paint.

• Size and shape. Clay bars come in various sizes and shapes, like larger or smaller pieces. Larger bars are convenient for even surfaces, while smaller ones are well-suited for tight and hard-to-reach areas.
• Clay bar lubricant. Lubricant is a crucial and inevitable component of clay barring. It prevents the clay from sticking to the Forester's body or mixing with the paint. When you purchase a clay bar, it may come with additional lubricant. However, sometimes you need to purchase the lubricant separately.
• Brand and reviews. A reputable product is a testament to its reliability and effectiveness. Look for a well-known brand in the detailing industry while reviewing customer feedback about the product.
• Price. Clay bars vary in price depending on the brand, size, and quality. Search for an option that suits your budget. Remember, a higher price doesn't always equate to superior performance.

How to Clay Bar Your Subaru Forester?

Clay barring the body of a Subaru Forester is not difficult, meaning any car enthusiast can do it. Nevertheless, it's important to adhere to some guidelines to ensure the process goes smoothly and yields outstanding results.

Wash Your Vehicle First

It's always recommended to clay bar a clean vehicle. So, prior to initiating the process, it's best to wash off all exterior contaminants and, if possible, carry out a full detailing.

If you need a comprehensive guide on washing your Subaru Forester correctly, we've prepared an entire article on this topic, which you can read here.

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Prepare a Clay Bar for Work

Knead a piece of clay in your hands until it becomes soft, and then shape it into a disc for polishing.

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Begin with a Compact Section

Start with a small area of your Subaru Forester (2 ft x 2 ft). Apply lubricant to it, and begin to rub it using a piece of clay in vertical and horizontal strokes. You might encounter some resistance - the clay will collect dirt from your Forester’s body.

Carry on with the body cleaning process. If needed, add more lubricant if you find the clay starting to stick to your car's surface.

Regularly Inspect Your Subaru Forester Clay Bar

Every so often, inspect the clay you're using to wipe down the vehicle. If it starts to accumulate dirt and debris, knead it to expose a clean surface and continue the process.

Remove the Lubricant from the Subaru Forester with a Clean Microfiber Towel

Wipe away any leftover lubricant using a microfiber cloth. Now, examine the surface you've worked on. It should have a clear, shiny finish.

For confirmation, run your finger across it - it should be smooth to the touch, akin to glass. If the desired result hasn't been reached, repeat the previous steps.

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Proceed to the Next Section

Once you're satisfied with the result in one section, move on to the next. Choose another 2 ft x 2 ft area and repeat the aforementioned steps. Remember, it's not advisable to try to treat the entire surface of your Subaru Forester all at once - instead, progress in small sections until you've covered the whole vehicle.

Applying the Final Touch

Conclude the process by polishing or waxing the body of your Subaru Forester - this will add a certain finesse to its appearance and make it more shiny. Plus, it helps to fill in tiny holes on the vehicle's body that were previously occupied by dirt particles.

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Where Can You Use a Clay Bar, and Where Shouldn't You?

A clay bar isn't a universal tool for every surface or part of your Subaru Forester. To avoid damage, it's crucial to understand where exactly you can safely use a clay bar for cleaning dirt, and where it's a no-go.

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 SHOULD NOT be applied to:

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

Wrapping It All Up

Clay barring your Subaru Forester is not a complex task. However, it does require a keen eye and care to avoid causing any damage to your vehicle's paintwork.

When selecting a clay bar, consider its type, size, and brand, and don't forget to have additional lubricant on hand.

If you conduct the process correctly, you'll achieve the desired outcome, keeping your beautiful Subaru Forester looking glossy and immaculate for a good while.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Reuse a Piece of Clay Bar After Dropping It?

Unfortunately, you can't. A clay bar is sticky, so if it falls, it will pick up all the contaminants and grime from that area. Don't use such clay to clean your Subaru Forester's body - you'll only cause damage.

Tiny particles of dirt, sand, and debris will act like sandpaper, potentially scratching your Forester's paint. So if you happen to drop a piece of clay bar, it's best to discard it immediately.

What Should I Do After Clay Barring is Complete?

Upon completion of the process, it's vital to protect your Subaru Forester's body. In this situation, we recommend opting for a good waxing or polishing session.

Not only will this leave your Subaru Forester gleaming and rejuvenated, but it will also safeguard the paintwork's pores against any form of contamination.