Question about clay

[Krzdimond]

Do I have to use clay if I'm going to polish anyway? Doesn't the polish do the same thing? I've always thought that clay was used to clean the pores of the paint when you aren't going to polish.

 

My wife's car is shot and I'm going to detail it today, just need to know if I need to clay before polishing.....

[Nitelord]

Clay removes the impurities or contamination that is adhered to your paint. It (smooths) the paint so when you do use the polish, you have a clean hopefully debris free surface to start with.

 

I suppose that polish would eventually do the same thing with a lot more work & time involved. I think of clay as a "pre-cleaner"

[jjwvette]

I agree,use the clay:cheers:

[Velociabstract]

I used to get the contaminates off with lots of sweat and polish. It can be done. But think of what that hardened stuff does when it lets go of the paint. You risk grinding it in if it doesn't dissolve. I would rather do a quick clay first. It makes the polish faster and easier on just about any condition vehicle.

 

Les

[Adam]

Hi Robert, clay is worth the time and effort, 90% of the time. It also makes polishing, and especially removing polish residue much easier, reducing the drag.

 

If ever in doubt, put your fingers in a ziploc bag, and rub gently over the surface. Do it before and after polishing your test area, and you will be able to determine if the process is worth doing, or not. (Bumpy, clay, smooth, skip it!)

 

My $.02:2thumbs:

[Krzdimond]

Thanks for the info guys. Will clay regardless. Good info! I learned something new today:rockon:

[Chris@Adams]

:glasses:Some of the time when I clay I do it after washing , with the soap still on the car ,the soap acts as a good lube, I rub my hand over each panel to check for grit. This is done in my garage not in the sun. Works great ! p.s Use your judgement if the car is real dirty ,you must rinse first ,then you can spray detail spray on wet car then clay !

Edited January 11, 2009 by Chris05GTO

[SVT01LIGHTNING]

i believe in clay....makes polishing and waxing alot easier and better end results:thumbsup:

[eleven357]

I will be using clay on both of my vehicles.

[Chewy]

CLAY rocks! I've been using it for probably 10 or more years and LOVE it. Helps remove "rail dust" and other contaminates that stick to the car and let me tell you... The Midwest has A LOT of those this time of year. It feels like sand behind my wheel wells. Clay removes it pretty fast.

 

 

Chris

[Velociabstract]

When I think back to the things I used trying to get the grit off the car. I tried cleaners, bug and tar remover, WD40, Coca Cola, finger nails, polish and more polish and a few things I've forgotten. Clay is natures gift to safe, clean, paint fanatics.

 

Les

[Krzdimond]

Not that it matters, and this probably not the place for it, but I used clay on the wifeys car before polish.......

 

 

here are the results:

 

#1. Trunk clayed, bumper not

 

#2. before clay

 

#3. JUST the drivers door:jawdrop:

#4. after clay

 

#5. After polish and wax (done)

[Team Adam's]

Clay is AWESOME on white vehicles, the difference is incredible!

[Chewy]

My truck is white and my G/F's car is white which means rust spots after a long winter. Clay does a great job removing them.

[Nitelord]

When your clay starts showing the contaminates (pic #3), knead it over and over to keep fresh clay in use.

You probably already knew that, just a reminder..