Clay Bar vs Compound - Meguiar's Cuts Through the Confusion Between Each Step

Have you ever been confused about when to use a clay bar and when to use a compound? Have you wondered what each step does and what the difference is between the two?

First, wash and dry with a premium car wash, like Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax, to remove any loose dust, grime and debris from the paint. Be sure to use premium microfiber accessories to get the best swirl-free results. Next, evaluate the paint.

CLAY BAR

Run your clean, dry fingertips over the paint. If it feels rough, this indicates that you have bonded contaminants on top of the paint that need to be removed. These are things like rail dust, tree sap mist, industrial fallout, and paint overspray. If your paint feels completely smooth, you can skip this step and move on to compounding.

Meguiar’s has two clay bar kits, Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Quik Clay Kit and Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit. Both quickly remove above surface bonded contaminants without swirling or scratching, make the paint feel as smooth as glass, and allow for the next steps to work quicker and better.

The Hybrid Ceramic Clay Kit has a Synthetic Clay Pad and Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Detailer as lubricant. Glide the lubricated pad back and forth until the paint is smooth and wipe off the excess with the Supreme Shine Microfiber. Work in sections.

With the Smooth Surface Clay Kit, you spray a section of the paint liberally with Meguiar’s Quik Detailer. Flatten the clay like a patty, spray once with the detailer and work it back and forth until the paint is smooth. Wipe off the excess with the Supreme Shine Microfiber.

Also new is Meguiar’s Iron Removing Spray “Clay”. After washing, spray the product on the paint and gently agitate the surface with a wash mitt. Rinse & dry. Note, however, that tree sap mist & paint overspray must be removed with a clay bar or pad, instead of the wash mitt.

COMPOUND

Visually inspect the paint for below surface defects like swirls, scratches, oxidation, and stains. Different types of lighting can reveal different defects. So, consider looking at the paint from several different angles and in different types of lighting so we can see all potential defects that may be present.

If you have light to moderate below surface defects, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is a paint cleaner that’s the perfect way to remove defects in the paint without hazing or marring the surface like a traditional compound.

Apply a small amount of Ultimate Compound with a soft foam applicator by hand, or with a foam cutting disc by Dual Action Variable Speed Polisher. Work in a 1-2 square foot area with overlapping passes using light to moderate pressure. Wipe off the residue with a premium microfiber towel before it dries. Inspect your work and re-apply as needed to remove any remaining stubborn paint defects. Work in sections.

Once done, apply Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish for maximum shine, followed by your favorite Meguiar’s wax to ensure you have plenty of protection.

So, the next time you notice your paint doesn’t feel completely smooth… or if you notice swirls, scratches, or stains, you’ll now know the difference between a clay bar and a compound… And, you’ll know exactly which product to go to get the best results.

Products Featured:
Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax – G17748
Meguiar’s Yellow Wash Bucket – VBUCKET3.5GAL
Meguiar’s Microfiber Wash Mitt – X3002
Meguiar’s Microfiber Water Magnet Drying Towel – X2000
Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Quik Clay Kit – G200200
Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit – G191700
Meguiar’s Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel – X2020
Meguiar’s Iron Removing Spray Clay – DRTU200232
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound – G17216
Meguiar’s Paint Inspection Light Sunlight 3+ - MT103
Meguiar’s Foam Applicator Pad – W0004
Meguiar’s MT300 Dual Action Polisher – MT300
Meguiar’s 5” DA Foam Cutting Disc – DFC5
Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish – G19216
Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax – G18216
Meguiar’s Ultimate Paste Wax – G18211

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[armaansingh]

I have powder coating black rims that are about 2 months old they have a bunch of micro scratches on them like swirl marks I was wondering if I could use ultimate compound and polish to fix those

[justkickinit]

I love Meguiars ultimate compound, and ultimate polish on my corvette. It works great on all of my cars, but it stands the test of time on fiberglass/plastic. I also use the ultimate paste wax and quick detailer. Simply the best imho.

[pikavargas]

Is it necessary to polish after compound? I thought compounding is an aggressive buff which can lead to lighter swirl marks which can then be polished out?

[MyGuyKirby]

​I like the slide on the contaminates and that iron remover will have no impact on the tree sap and similar

[jatindersinghsamra]

What should i use for removef vinyal ghosting for fix

[jackdale]

HI
best ever is to use Bilt Hamber clay fr UK they have their own clay mine ! avail in S, M, H grades it is so pure they say and it is TRUE ! you can use just plain water for lube ! ! try it let me know what you think ? and update your video w/an addendum ? thx Jack

[nicorallysport]

👍. The smell of meguiar's "removing spray clay", looks like "all wheel cleaner" where has "iron decon"?. Removing spray clay can be used as a lubricant for synthetic clay bars and C2000, C2100. Is it the same for iron decon? Thank you

[gdude]

My 2016 truck was repainted three years ago and the paint is in great shape with no swirls but just a couple of moderate scratches and no dents (knock wood). If I use compound to buff out those scratches, do I need to compound the entire vehicle before polishing and waxing? My challenge is the small time windows provided by Colorado's hot summer weather (with unforecasted light rain bursts in the afternoon), and the fact that my truck doesn't fit in my garage. Would greatly appreciate your advice!

[Leonsanti]

When it was time to wipe off the residue from the compound, it was a bit tough to get off. Did I wait too long or did I not work it hard enough?

[nicksdragon]

Can you use hybrid Ceramic clay kit on coated cars? Will it make the finish?

[craigk]

If you use body filler, when do you use clay bar and compounding ?

I assume its :

Body filler
Sand
Wash &dry
Base coat
Light sand
wash & dry
Base coat
Wash & dry
Clear coat
Wash &dry
Clay bar
Compound
Polish

Correct ?

[devoid]

Do you have to apply Ultimate Liquid Wax before applying the Hybrid Ceramic Wax or does applying the Ceramic Wax after compounding and polishing work fine?

[yatablah]

Car magnet decal seemed to have done something to clearcoat or the plasticizer from the magnet is in the paint, what should I use?

[MsOmarOfficial]

would the clay kit help to fix up paint fading on hood?

[lucap]

What happens if after all products I wash the car and then I use ceramic wax?

[thevacdude]

Meguiar's no longer sells the Hybrid Ceramic Quik Clay kit.

[nigellewis]

amazing video great stuff made my skirts feel like glass

[motorolaslvr]

What’s better the bar or the hybrid one ?
For a black car ?

[faysansari]

If I don’t have the ultimate wax, can I use the Meguiars ceramic wax?

[PhyteByte]

I got oxidation everywhere lol waxed over it now what..