How often do I need to clay my car?

[DiModaCorse]

Thank you. The results were there so why mess with a good thing.

[Murr1525]

Well, Last Touch is fine also, and meant for diluting, so can awlays switch over sometime.

[DiModaCorse]

I still have just under a gallon of Final Inspection on hand though I like the cost benefit of Last Touch for this purpose so may add that to the inventory as well.

Thanks again.

[Bill Davidson]

Can somebody explain why to clay in more detail

from a maintenance prospective:

If the above surface bonded contaminants remain stuck, wash after wash, can't they just remain? Are they damaging the paint in any way by staying?

If you don't power polish/abrasively clean your vehicle (you only wash and wax). The chances of removing those bonded contaminants and working them into the paint are pretty slim as well, yes/no?

from a visual perspective:

Are millions of tiny bonded surface contaminants actually blocking your eye from seeing the paint. You can still see the paint, just not as well. Kind of like looking through a dirty window.

Or is a case, that the contaminants are not allowing light to refract in one direction, it's bouncing light all over the place, reducing a mirror like shine?

perhaps it's both.

comments...

[FinalTouchDetail]

Visually it makes a huge difference removing the bonded contaminants even before you apply any sort of LSP.

Taking the car from washed to washed and clayed is noticeable. The paint appears richer and deeper.

I would also have to believe that any LSP has a harder time bonding to a contaminated surface rather than a clean surface.

[Murr1525]

from a maintenance prospective:

If the above surface bonded contaminants remain stuck, wash after wash, can't they just remain? Are they damaging the paint in any way by staying?

If you don't power polish/abrasively clean your vehicle (you only wash and wax). The chances of removing those bonded contaminants and working them into the paint are pretty slim as well, yes/no?

Some of it depends what the contaminant is. Something that is metallic and could rust/stain the paint, or maybe acidic that will etch the paint more deeply as time goes on would cause more of a hassle than just claying regularly.

As far as would they break loose and be dragged around... maybe, probably slim, but still a chance.

from a visual perspective:

Are millions of tiny bonded surface contaminants actually blocking your eye from seeing the paint. You can still see the paint, just not as well. Kind of like looking through a dirty window.

Or is a case, that the contaminants are not allowing light to refract in one direction, it's bouncing light all over the place, reducing a mirror like shine?

perhaps it's both.

comments...

Definitely looks and feels better....

[rocky77]

i am use the Gold Class Shampoo and water with Meguiar`s clay. i like... in Moscow the bottle of Quick Detailer coast near 400 rubles-it expensive

[ffboy]

Claying is good, even if done a bit more frequently. Depends on the environment, one may need it done more frequently if the environment is poor. It would be better for paint than allowing the contaminants to accumulate, and it does add more clarity, brightness or depth, allows for easier application and removal of cleaners, polish.glaze and wax but to me the biggest difference is in the slickness of the paint given by the extra claying step

[manroger4]

Thanks for sharing this interesting information.I paid little attention to this in everyday life.Since I had to worry for.

[dragontail]

I use to do it twice a month, it was my friend’s advice