Clay vs. cleaning

[DJQ]

What is the difference between clay and cleaner (say DC#1) and when should I use each? My gut tells me to clay every time I wax and DC#1 if the paint is really bad or for badly stained areas.

For 15 years my routine was Gold Class wash followed by #7 then by #26. I recently added DC #1 followed by #7 and then #26. All I can say is wow, the surface was so smooth after the DC#1 and the paint never looked so good and products never went on an off so easliy. I recently replaced #26 with NXT and love the ease of removal and think it leaves a wetter, shinier look even on our silver Volvo S40 and silver 4-Runner. I use a cheapo B&D random orbital polisher (a G100a is in my near future) for the cleaner and larger flat surfaces (i.e., roof of the 4-Runner).

I am new to this site but a longtime Meguiars fan and thanks to Meguiars I have always gotten comments on my cars from strangers.

Just received a package of $100 of products from Meguiars today. Can't wait until next weekend to play.

PS - This site is helping me convince my wife I am not obsessed. The stories I tell her of what you crazies do helps my sanity plea. Thanks for your help.

[Hannibal]

In my opinion, clay and cleaner go hand in hand. The clay lifts out the embedded materials safely, where as you may be prone to just relocating the embedded material by polishing/cleaning and creating more scratches

I am now using this system:
Clay
Wash with GC
paint cleaner
paint polish
wax

see my results here:
5 step paint cycle results

Good luck and have fun with your new items.
BTW, there are many worse things you could be wrapped up in, besides car care.

[Jeff Smith]

Re: Clay vs. cleaning

Originally posted by DJQ
What is the difference between clay and cleaner (say DC#1) and when should I use each? My gut tells me to clay every time I wax and DC#1 if the paint is really bad or for badly stained areas.

For 15 years my routine was Gold Class wash followed by #7 then by #26. I recently added DC #1 followed by #7 and then #26. All I can say is wow, the surface was so smooth after the DC#1 and the paint never looked so good and products never went on an off so easliy. I recently replaced #26 with NXT and love the ease of removal and think it leaves a wetter, shinier look even on our silver Volvo S40 and silver 4-Runner. I use a cheapo B&D random orbital polisher (a G100a is in my near future) for the cleaner and larger flat surfaces (i.e., roof of the 4-Runner).

I am new to this site but a longtime Meguiars fan and thanks to Meguiars I have always gotten comments on my cars from strangers.

Just received a package of $100 of products from Meguiars today. Can't wait until next weekend to play.

PS - This site is helping me convince my wife I am not obsessed. The stories I tell her of what you crazies do helps my sanity plea. Thanks for your help.

First off to Meguiar's Online!

The Clay will remove above surface contaminates and the Cleaner will remove the below surface contaminates. The following thread may help out by filling in the blanks for you.:


The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

[gb387]

As you have discovered different product combos can give you different results. About every 2-3 months I will go with cleaner/polish/wax then add clay 1-2 times a year. The better you prep the surface of your vehicle the better your end result will be.

You mentioned DC#1, nice thing about that product is its very gentle yet works very well leaving the paint ready for a polish or straight to wax.

Welcome to MOL!

[mpmiller37]

I'm not following the usage of DC#1. This is a non-abrasive paint cleaner which you say prepares the surface for polish. If I were going to use an abrasive polish like #80, why would I use something less abrasive before it, seems like a waste of time. Please explain.

[Murr1525]

You are quite about not needing to mix DC#1 and #80.

DC#1 is only a cleaner. It should be followed by a polish (maybe DC#2), and then a wax of your choice. ScratchX is another example of only a cleaner.

#80 is a cleaner/polish, from the professional line. Because it covers both steps, it only needs to be followed by a wax. If you wish, you may use a pure polish, or a milder cleaner/polish after it. That is up to you.

Then, for instance, ColorX, A-12, #66, etc are cleaner/waxes. They cover all 3 steps, so nothing 'needs' to be done after them, though some of us still like to add a wax.