Can Clay-bar do damage?

[CamV6]

Is it possible to mark or scratch paintwork with a clay bar in any way?



reason i ask is that I plan to use one for the first time in my life on a new car soon and I wany to avoid marking as much as possible.



Thanks in advance guys.:xyxthumbs

 

[Black240SX]

Yes, if you don't use enough lubricant you can do some damage. It's quite safe if you follow the directions.

 

[LouisanaJeeper]

just keep the area wet with lube and you should be fine



even if you do produce light scratches they would be easily repaired

 

[Mochamanz1]

What does the damage, the clay or the contaminates it picks up. I have heard it stated that the clay can marr a surface. Today, I have heard some new info on clay in other posts. I am glad that I now have something else to be confused about...:nixweiss

 

[foxtrapper]

Lube it, kneed it, fold it as you use it. You'll be fine.



Drop it on the driveway, pick it up and start rubbing the paint, and you'll get nice scratches from the grit stuck to it.



That's why you need to kneed it and fold it, to keep contaminates moving into it away from the paint. The skankier the paint, the more you'll have to kneed and fold.



It really takes some work to screw up paint with clay, but it can be done.

 

[JustinR32]

Cut it into quarters. Flatten it like a pancake. Check it every 2'x2' section you do. If it's showing dirt, fold the flat side in on itself, and reflatten it. Some people like to knead it up and reflatten it, but that actually increases the chance of bringing dirt to the surface. By folding the dirt in on itself, you can theoretically fold and flatten 25 times before you bring particles to the surface again.