Claying for the very first time...

[dude]

I'm planning to clay my car for the very first time later, so I'd like to ask if there is anything I need to pay attention to while doing it.

Also, after washing the car, but before rinsing the car, is it possible to make use of the car wash as a lubricant?

If not, then can I start claying after rinsing off the wash, but before drying, so that I can use the wet car surface as a lubricant?

Thanks for time.

[farmboy]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

Dude.. don't set the clay bar anywhere but in a clean plastic baggie.
You can use the wash a lube, but I never have dude. I clay the car wet dude, but dude I use a QD for the lube also. Dude, you'll love the results.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

just make sure you have lots of lubricant between the clay bar and car's finish.

you can use water, although its recommended you use Quik Detailer.

you might find that after wards your clay bar may fall apart easier as some guys have reported this when using water. why it happens i'm not sure.

if the clay bar hits the ground i'd say good bye to that. throw it out. don't rish the change. If you drop your bar of clay on the ground, it's history. Toss it out. Don't take any chances, discard the clay bar if it becomes impregnated with grit.

take the clay bar out of the box and cut it in half.
make into a pancake size.
spray an area say 12 x 12 with QD and spray the back of the clay bar. rub the clay back and forth with light to medium pressure. If the lubricant begins to dry, you'll need to spray more. Clay is fairly sticky and cannot be used dry. Try using clay dry and you'll make a big mess and scuff your paint so DO NOT DO IT!!!

After a few passes with the clay, rub your hand over the area you cleaned to check for areas missed. You should feel a distinct difference between the areas you have clayed and the areas you have not clayed. Keep rubbing until all contamination bumps are gone. Finally, wipe the clay residue off with a soft microfiber towel, and buff to a nice luster. Just like waxing, work in small areas.

check the bar frequently for anything that is has picked up from your car. if you see large chunks of dirt etc... pick it up and then knead your clay into a ball and then flatten it into a pancake size again always exposing a clean clay bar.

when you're finished, just rinse the car to get rid of any lubricant film and then move on to the next stage which would be paint cleaning.

cheers

if you have any more questions here is a good link.

How To Clay Paint

[dude]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

Thanks all for the helpful info.

When kneading the clay, I should use QD as well, to keep the clay soft, correct?

And how should I store the clay after use? I plan to use a ziploc bag to keep it air-tight

[TrufflePig]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

just knead the clay in your hands. then make into a pancake shape and then apply QD.

to store. you canuse a ziploc bag, just spray some QD in the bag and on the clay prior to sealing it up.

or a better idea. what i use. SOAP BAR holder. little plastic container. spray QD in holder and on clay, close lid.

[Murr1525]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

I tend to clay after washing and before drying, as long as it isnt too hot. Then I just give a final rinse and dry the car.

[jarred767]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

How important is it to rinse the car off again after claying?

I usually wash, dry, clay with FI, and then wipe off with a MF. (then obviously move on to paint cleaning and polishing...

So is wiping it off with a MF ok, or should I be rinsing the car off?

[TrufflePig]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

you rinse the car after you clay to get rid of the lubricant film from the QD and clay bar.

it's like a white milky substance. i don't want that drying on my finish and leaving water spots so i just rinse it nice and then dry properly.

i'd rinse.

[jarred767]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

cool, thanks for the response, i've always just wiped the substance off with a MF towel, but i guess rinsing is probably to proper way to make sure to get rid of it.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

Jarred, you're just be safe that's all by giving it a quick rinse. you can see the white milkly film when you're doing it so its best to just rinse that off.

[Murr1525]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

If you clay after drying, and get all the QD with your cloth you wouldnt need to rinse. Remember, you'll be using a paint cleaner right after, so one dry spot wont be a big deal.

I rinse because i havent even dried yet, so that is why I do a second good rinse, try and flow the water off, etc, then dry off all the water and any left over QD at once.

It should be noted that this method will use more water, since you will also probably want to hose down the vehicle once or twice while claying if it is a warm day, so everything doesnt dry completely. Again, I use a paint cleaner right after, so one dry spot isnt a big deal, but I dont like to let everything go completly dry.

[dude]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

Quick question:

I've noticed many 'micro' scratches in the bodywork of the car that I am detailing, so do I still use Scratch X after claying, or will claying take care of it, since claying will remove the top-most layer of contaminants?

Thanks in advance.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

I think washing or rinsing after claying is personal preference, I usually go to a polish of some sort after claying, so I just dry it off and then polish.

Tom

[Murr1525]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

Quick question:

I've noticed many 'micro' scratches in the bodywork of the car that I am detailing, so do I still use Scratch X after claying, or will claying take care of it, since claying will remove the top-most layer of contaminants?

Thanks in advance.

Clay only removes above surface contaminants, so a paint cleaner that can remove scratches/swirls would be needed next. The swirls are in the paint, not on top of it like sap/tar would be.

ScratchX by hand, or #80/#83 by machine, etc.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Claying for the very first time...

if you're finding micro scratches and they're no swirls all over the car, then you can use scratch-x on those spots.

but if you're finding swirls you might as well do a pass or two of M80 and if that doesn't cut it, jump to M83 as Murr stated.