Three Grades of Decontamination Clay

A clay bar is the step that makes paint actually feel smooth. Washing removes what sits on the surface, but bonded contamination stays put, and you can feel it as grit when you run your hand over clean paint. Stinger Chemical clay bars shear that contamination off, clearing overspray, rail dust, and brake dust that no soap will touch. They come in three color-coded grades so you can match aggressiveness to the job: mint green for Fine, purple for Medium, and blue for Universal Heavy Duty. Each bar weighs approximately 180 grams. As a top Stinger Chemical distributor, SNS Auto Supply carries all three grades. Browse our full range of clay solutions.

Using one is straightforward. Knead the bar into a flat pad, spray the panel with a water-based lubricant, and glide the clay across with minimal pressure, letting the clay do the work instead of forcing it. It picks up contamination as it goes, and you fold and reknead to expose a clean face. Beyond the feel, claying pays off at the next stage: decontaminated paint reduces buffer drag, so your pads glide instead of grabbing. Follow a heavier grade with a polish to refine the finish, and see the full Stinger Chemical lineup for the rest of your decon process.

What Makes it Great:

🎨 Three Color-Coded Grades: Mint green Fine, purple Medium, and blue Universal Heavy Duty, so you can match the clay's aggressiveness to how contaminated the paint actually is.

🚗 Removes Bonded Contamination: Clears paint overspray, rail dust, and brake dust that washing alone leaves embedded in the clear coat.

♻️ Reusable With Minimal Pressure: Fold and reknead to expose a fresh face, and let the clay glide rather than pressing. One 180 gram bar covers multiple jobs when stored properly.

✨ Reduces Buffer Drag: Decontaminated paint lets polishing pads glide instead of grabbing, which makes the correction stage smoother and more predictable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which clay grade should I use?

Start with the least aggressive grade that will do the job. Fine (mint green) suits light contamination and maintenance work on well-kept paint. Medium (purple) handles moderate contamination and covers most general detailing. Universal Heavy Duty (blue) is for severe contamination like heavy overspray or bad rail dust. More aggressive clay is more likely to leave light marring, so plan to polish after using it.

How do you use a clay bar?

Knead the bar into a flat pad, spray the area with a water-based lubricant, and glide the clay across the paint using minimal pressure. Fold and reknead as the face picks up contamination, and keep the surface lubricated the entire time.

What lubricant should I use?

A water-based lubricant. Do not use soap, as it degrades the clay. Never work a dry panel, since clay without lubrication will mar the paint.

What if I drop the clay on the ground?

Throw it away. A dropped bar picks up grit that you cannot fully see or remove, and dragging that across paint will put scratches in the clear coat. A replacement bar is far cheaper than a correction.

How should I store it between uses?

Seal it in a clean container after each use so it stays pliable and stays free of debris. Stored properly, a 180 gram bar is good for multiple jobs.