Clay bars

Left Coast Bill, Turtle wax makes a good product also. Try Walmart for the other manufacturers. As for the material, I have never taken the time to research it, but I will and I will get back to you.

Dragon

Aurizon, Good Answer. I had not had any reason to research before this.

Dragon

Is there really clay in the clay bars? Some places describe the same product as 'putty'. It starts off as a fairly hard block which you have to knead before use to make it softer, thereafter it resembles a stiff putty. It is mildly abrasive & smoothes out the minor imperfections in the paint surface whilst also lifting off contaminants, it has to be used in conjunction with a suitable cleaning fluid. the finished surface is much smoother, almost glassy & gives a much deeper shine.

It looks like they may take the dry clay and add an oil to make a heavy paste.

The paste acts as a pad and delivers submicron scratches = polishing. Any hard bits work into the clay.

Has anyone tried to see if they are oil or water based?

I have some at home, I could see if it mixes with water.

OK, I can now report that the clay does not mix with water, it seems to have no effect. It will mix with a light oil, this makes the clay a little softer. The clay will dissolve in thinners. Does this help?

Yes, It must be oil based. So dried clay is mixed into oil until you get the right consistency. They use roller mills for this task. Raw material cost is low. All the cost is in the milling and sieveing the clay to be fine enough to not scratch.

Agreed, I should have mentioned that the clay bar I have is made by Meguiars, other brands may be different. I noticed that, when dissolving, the clay still feels smooth- not at all gritty.

Might be a synthetic clay product as it is used with water based cleaners that would render "clay" into soup.