Help before claying!

[jumpmanmb87]

OK, so im finally going to clay my car, but ive come across another question. When your claying, you pick up all the bonded surface dirt. So for example, once im done with the hood, the clay will become dirty most likely. Then i wanna go to the fender, so i roll the clay up and then reform into a pancake again.. Now what happens when i make my way around to the other side of the car. The clay will be full of dirt. Now wont this sctrach my paint? because im rubbing the dirty clay back on my paint???

[Murr1525]

Well.. For one, be sure to use lots of QD. You might cut the bar into 3 pieces so it lasts longer, but still use a whole bottle of QD.

And dont think of it as rolling the clay back up. Make your first pancake, then just fold it in on itself once, to expoese clean clay, but keep the dirt on the inside. When it gets dirty after anothr panel or so, fold again. Then, when the dirt works it way through after however many folds, you can change pieces.

It all depends on the car how far you get before folding. If it is new/clean, maybe the whole roof and trunk, then fold. If it is in bad shape, might only be 1/2 the roof.

And dont press down with the clay. Just wipe it back and forth gently, like you would a drying towel. You'll feel when it is grabbing, and when it stops grabbing.

Just dont drop it on the ground....

[TKDDAD]

Completely agree....get the BIG bottle of QD...more detailer solution makes the job that much easier...and it's like a physics magic trick with the clay...you keep folding it into itself and clean clay appears ..I've done two cars with one piece of clay and would probably be able to do another one...now they weren't that bad to begin with but still, there was a bunch of gunk that came off each time....

[jumpmanmb87]

ok sounds good, ill try that

[Skuz]

Watch out, you could be impressed.

I sure was when I first tried claying my clean white car. The clay turned brown after doing just the roof. That car was supposed to be clean !

[Detalnewb]

I just used clay for the first time this past weekend. It's incredibly easy. Much easier than I thought it would be!

I can't emphasize enough - FOLD the clay in HALF and squish it out a bit. Don't roll it back up and try to make another pancake. Most of the time mine was a odd shaped thing that was about 2" in one direction - maybe enough to cover the area under my index, middle and ring finger. Take off your rings (if you wear them) and watches/bracelets so you don't inadvertently scratch your paint.

You'll be amazed at how great the paint looks and feels when you get done!