Claying Your Car

[Lakersguy]

I decided to spend the time and clay and wax one of my cars yesterday. The car is white. I clayed the hood with a detailer spray and clay. It didn't seem to remove all of the contaminants after I was done so I decided to do it again. Still not completely smooth. So, I went ahead with a cleaner wax then a final coat of wax. Turned out nice but I was wondering why the claying process didn't remove everything.

 

[Torino]

Don't use detailer spray. Use distilled water with a drop or two of liquid soap. John--Las Vegas.

 

[dparm]

Agreed, the detailer spray is a waste. Soapy water is good enough.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Lakersguy
I decided to spend the time and clay and wax one of my cars yesterday. The car is white. I clayed the hood with a detailer spray and clay. It didn't seem to remove all of the contaminants after I was done so I decided to do it again. Still not completely smooth. So, I went ahead with a cleaner wax then a final coat of wax. Turned out nice but I was wondering why the claying process didn't remove everything.


If the contaminants weren't removed, you weren't done. Claying isn't something you do for a fixed number of strokes or time, you do it until the contaminants are gone. The first time you clay a car can be alot of work if you want to do it right, or the same thing if it's been along time since the car was clayed.

Put a thin plastic bag over one hand. You will be able to feel any contamination if you rub it over the lubed paint right after you clay it.

+1 on using car wash detergent in water as a lube.

 

[190E26FTW]

Too much detailer spray makes it to slick for the clay bar to grip on the contaminants. Like others say...wash car with soap and leave soap on...just rub with the clay bar. You will feel it get progressively smoother. Dont rub until it is dry though as that will scratch your paint job. No body told me that part when i first started using the bar. So it got me some streaks.

Since you are in the OC. Go to Meguiar's free detail days in Irvine,CA. They have free classes on how to work on your car at their headquarters.

 

[Lakersguy]

Originally Posted By: Torino
Don't use detailer spray. Use distilled water with a drop or two of liquid soap. John--Las Vegas.


Thanks, I'll try that next time.

 

[sleddriver]

+2 on using soapy water. I haven't used the 'spray' in years after I realized you just need something slick and since I had a bucket of suds nearby . . . .

I use a piece about 2" in diameter that's nearly flat and move it around with the tips of my fingers , with my palm gliding over the surface. I periodically use a sponge of suds to keep the surface wet & slippery. After working on a section, wet it down again and glide your fingers across it, feeling for nibs, & bumps. With experience, you'll learn how much pressure you need to effectively clean your paint.

I never clay without washing first. Too easy to scratch your paint. Good luck!

 

[EricF]

you might need a more aggressive clay. Catch is.. you can't see the contamints.

 

[daves66nova]

I've heard that washing your car first with dish washing detergent will strip off all that wax and other stuff,that way you can clay it then wax it.