How long should the clay bar and scratchx process take to do?

[ShininKandy]

When I am claying my hood, at the end of the process, should my whole car be wet w/detail spray, and how long should that take, like slowest time to fastest. Also I see that it says to use the scratchx on small parts of the car at a time? So it is not a good ideal to do the whole hood in less than 5 min? Do i have to do a little part by little part? If so, whats the slowest/fastest time it should take to do my hood?

THANKS
SK

[Murr1525]

When I clay, I make sure it is a nice cool day.

After washing, I hose the car off good. Then, I will start claying one area. My car is in good shape, so it doesnt take too long. Once I finish the section, I will hose off the QD, and we the rest of the car. Then clay another section. Then hose off, etc. Then I dry at the end.

Might take half hour or so... but again, it is in good shape.

With ScratchX, the hood will definately take longer than 5 minutes. Read the post about the Viper Car Club from last weekend. There is a nice ScratchX bit in there.

[ShininKandy]

so i shouldnt shammy after washing, just go into claying?

[Murr1525]

Well, there are a few ways you can do it. Thats just my way. Keep in mind I have no water restrictions and cooler weather than Texas, and am working at home. I just dont feel like drying twice, and it doesnt dry too fast.

Another way is to dry everything off, or mostly at least... and then clay. In this case, after each panel, you would use a MF towel, like a Supreme Shine, to buff off the QD, sort of as if you had just heavily QD'd the car. Then either rinse again, or go straight to the cleaning step. This way would minimize water use.

You can even clay as you wash, or sort of 'wash twice', once with the soap and sponge, the second time with soap and clay.

I'll say this, if its your first time, just pick a way and go for it. You'll get a feel for it pretty quickly, and what approach you want next time. All you need is plenty of QD.