claying while wet

[frustrateddetailer]

here's my question. after washing the car, do i still need to dry it before claying or better yet clay the entire car without drying?

[matt_c]

Re: claying while wet

my guess would be that you are not going to be able to clay the entire car before it dries so you will only be making more work for yourself by allowing the water to dry before you clay it.

[Murr1525]

Re: claying while wet

You can do it either way, but as Matt says, you would have to hose the car once in a while to keep it wet.

[astaticwinter]

Re: claying while wet

I actually tried this last time I detailed...

Washed the entire car, rinsed it, and mixed up a small batch of NXT wash and water. Kept the car wet, and dipped the clay into the wash...rinsed off each section as I went along.

I finished the entire car in like...10-15 minutes. It came out great, and was sooo much easier than washing, drying, and claying section by section and drying it as you go.

[Jeepster04]

Re: claying while wet

I actually tried this last time I detailed...

Washed the entire car, rinsed it, and mixed up a small batch of NXT wash and water. Kept the car wet, and dipped the clay into the wash...rinsed off each section as I went along.

I finished the entire car in like...10-15 minutes. It came out great, and was sooo much easier than washing, drying, and claying section by section and drying it as you go.

I didnt use the soap as Ive heard it harms the clay, but I did the same thing. I kept the water hose over my back and would spray the area as I went over it to keep it good and wet. If I didnt do that the clay would stick to the paint. Like astaticwinter said, it only took me around 15min to clay the entire jeep. Works very well I think, saves QD too.

[mini44]

Re: claying while wet

wouldn't it scratch without soap or QD

[Murr1525]

Re: claying while wet

I think he used QD, it just feels like not using as much. I still try to be liberal with the QD, even if the car is wet.

[Bronco4me]

Re: claying while wet

I didnt use the soap as Ive heard it harms the clay, but ...

The clay collects all that sticky/scratchy stuff off the surface, which is why I usually replace the clay after doing my whole truck. How often are you replacing yours?

[Jeepster04]

Re: claying while wet

Hmm, Ive done the hood and roof twice I think.. I never park under trees and usually do not have very many surface contaminants.. I would say doing me doing my hood and roof=you doing your entire truck..

[kpagel]

Re: claying while wet

I typically wash a car, pull it into the garage wet, then spray QD on it as I go along and clay, pull the car back out, spray it down one more time, then dry. I've found it saves me some time and its easier than wiping down after claying a panel.

[CaddyDaddy]

Re: claying while wet

I typically wash the entire car and then go back and clay a panel at a time with new soapy water (making certain to keep the panel well lubricated with soap and water). I've never heard of the soap effecting the clay bar. As for the car drying before I can dry it....I keep it wet throughout the claying process and usually do this in the shade or on a gloomy day just to prevent spotting. Another step I have found to speed up the process is to use my blower from my shop vac to go around the car once or twice to blow off most of the water (as well as blowing it out of the jams, wiper blades, etc.).

[rascal]

Re: claying while wet

I wash, dry and then clay with QD. My car has a lot of "hidden" places where water drips I dry it. When I dry the car after washing I will start claying the hood and other vertical flat services. During that time, the car has let loose any hidden water so when I get ready to polish and wax, I won't have water coming after me. Doing this seems faster, but everybody to their own.