Clay Detailing Steps

[tom_kauf]

Hi everyone,
I’ve just bought some Meg Quick Clay. I also still have Soft Wash Gel, Meg 3 Step but Gold Class Wax instead of Step3 Carnauba Wax.
If I want to do the best job I can on the paint, with the products I have (once or twice a year), would I use these steps?:

Soft Wash
Clay
Paint Cleaner (Step #1)
Polish (Step #2)
Gold Class Wax

OR

Paint Cleaner (Step #1)
then Clay

Or would I leave out the Paint Cleaner when I use Clay, and use Paint Cleaner when I don’t have time to clay?

Thanks for your help everyone.

P.S. I have a 2003 Lexus IS200 in Dark Metallic Grey with fairly good paint condition. Although, the time between cleaning is 2-3 months (but when I finally do it, it’s the whole wash/polish/wax treatment).

[Satin Finish]

Re: Clay Detailing Steps

Hey Tom,

You had it right the first time.
I always clay before a cleaner or polish.
Even when I'm just waxing my car I usually clay it first no matter what. Sometimes you'll be surprised at what you find on the clay afterwards.
Good Luck with your detail.

[hammer55]

Re: Clay Detailing Steps

hey with all you guys who do this for a living, does the clay take off the old wax

[matt colvin]

Re: Clay Detailing Steps

Yes, it should remove most anything on the surface you're working on. Clay is one of the more underrated processes in the scheme of things, imo.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Clay Detailing Steps

yes clay is one of the most under rated steps. i learnt this first hand.

if done right your car's finish should feel smooth like glass and water should pretty much just run off.

[tom_kauf]

Re: Clay Detailing Steps

Hey Tom,

You had it right the first time.
I always clay before a cleaner or polish.
Even when I'm just waxing my car I usually clay it first no matter what. Sometimes you'll be surprised at what you find on the clay afterwards.
Good Luck with your detail.

Thanks Satin Finish,
Good to know.