Clay then Compound? Which step is to be done first?

[rclab1]

Hello, just wanted to know which will be the proper way of doing these steps first? I'm getting my car "compounded"(aka Polish using ie #80 and #83) at a detail shop, and they also will clay the car.

I wanted to know which is the proper order, should they clay the car first then compound it to remove swirls/holograms? or viceVersa? (the car is black)

thanks

[HagFan]

Re: Clay then Compound? Which step is to be done first?

I've got no experience but have read it here at least a dozen times...

Clay is surface level cleaning--removing embedded particles-- and is done before other cleaning (#83 ) or polishing... wax. I guess the idea is you don't want those particles becoming abrasives as you do the additional clean/polish steps.

Hope you get a great job. What wax or sealant are you using?

[Chex]

Re: Clay then Compound? Which step is to be done first?

you answered your own question:

claying is the first step. then compounding is the second, BUT, I'd like to make this concept a little bit clearer:

compounding is a more aggressive step than the one you're going to have been done in your car. compounding requieres cleaners like compound power cleaner, heavy cut cleaner, or diamond cut compound.

IMO, Light compounding could be a more accurate word.

and in this case, claying is the first step because you will remove bonded contaminants that take sometimes more time to remove with machine cleaning procedures. however, when you clay, you don't remove paint, but when you machine clean it, you will.

And a good reason why not to clay after all the cleaning and polishing steps is because you might instill scratches again and undo all the work done....or if the person who details your car is inexperienced, he'll end up doing more harm than good

Hope This Helps

[TrufflePig]

Re: Clay then Compound? Which step is to be done first?

The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

have a read.