Should I clay before I machine polish/wax?

[Comment]

Whenever I wash my car I always have those bug guts smashed on the front end, so of course I wash them off, but it leaves really stuck-on residue from whatever bug decided to hit my car and I just cant get it off with anything but a fingernail(BAD) or a claybar.

 

It seems like a waste to tear off part of some clay just to get a little bit of bug off before I wax, but of course I cant wax over that.

 

Should I just fingernail it off, or is there something else to do?

[Doug123]

You can use clay, or try a bug and tar remover.

[Comment]

You can use clay, or try a bug and tar remover.

 

In my experience bug and tar remover just flat out doesnt do anything. I used turtle waxes remover and I may as well been spritzing water on my car.

[mbreyer]

clay it will take only a few minutes vs. a few hours of paint correction:thumbsup:

[Doug123]

If bug and tar are a no go, then go after it with the clay. I have gotten off road line paint with clay, much to the amazement of my neighbor.

[Redvenm]

clay it will take only a few minutes vs. a few hours of paint correction:thumbsup:

 

:iagree:gotta go with this!!

 

But for me, I always use WCW and spray real heavy sometimes several times. This seems to work really well if I am not gonna wash it.

[Frid]

I agree with doug. I used Eagle 1 bug and tar remover once before I was into serious car care and it worked wonders. If that doesnt work like everyone else said go with clay. You will probably get a few fine scratches from this process but its nothing Adam's 4" pad kit wont take care of. Just try to maintain it after . Also, whenever I re-wax I go back with a claybar every time to prevent hazing from the wax. Just a little tip.

[Chris@Adams]

:iagree:gotta go with this!!

 

But for me, I always use WCW and spray real heavy sometimes several times. This seems to work really well if I am not gonna wash it.

I always clay with DS!

[Doug123]

And always clay (if needed - baggie test it) if you are going to put a polisher on the finish. Don't want any little embedded chunks of stuff coming off the finish and running around under the pad, creating mayhem!

[Bill-V8V]

Also, whenever I re-wax I go back with a claybar every time to prevent hazing from the wax. Just a little tip.

 

Not sure I understand this one, you go back and clay after waxing ???

[MAYBEN]

clay the questionable spots..

[Frid]

Not sure I understand this one, you go back and clay after waxing ???

 

Nah lol. I clay the truck before I wax.

[mc2hill]

Nah lol. I clay the truck before I wax.

 

That seems a little excessive to me. If your finish passes the 'baggie' test, then you shouldn't need to clay.

[Frid]

I know its not what 99% of people do but I just do it as a frequent routine. It being a daily driver on military installations it would get dirty driving 2 minutes down the road to the motorpool and I would always wax after washes knowing where I drive can have stuff damage/swirl up the paint.