Question about claying a brand new car

[brig2221]

I have a brand new car that I will be detailing this weekend with some cleaner, sealant, ant then wax.

I plan on claying the car before all of that. Since it is brand new, do I only need to clay the hood, roof, and trunk of the car only? Besides, I think it would be hard and most likely not necessary to clay the sides of the car right?

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

It should all go pretty fast, no real reason to skip sections.

I've put newspaper down sometimes in case I drop the clay off the sides...

[brig2221]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

How long does it typically take to clay an entire car, assuming that it isn't completely cruddy, which is what I would expect out of a brand new car?

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

Hmm.. 20 minutes maybe? I'd clay glass, trim etc as well... I mean, if there is no crud, all you have to do is wipe your hand back and forth once or twice over each spot of the car. Sounds like 20 minutes or so?

Wheels can take a little longer cause of the small spaces, weird corners, and can save exhaust tips for next time when you are ready to polish them, if applicable.

[cv_soccer]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

Hmm.. 20 minutes maybe? I'd clay glass, trim etc as well... I mean, if there is no crud, all you have to do is wipe your hand back and forth once or twice over each spot of the car. Sounds like 20 minutes or so?

Wheels can take a little longer cause of the small spaces, weird corners, and can save exhaust tips for next time when you are ready to polish them, if applicable.

My car is now 1 year old and on that first weekend my GTI got clayed. That was my first time using clay and it took me about 30 minutes but the time was woth it. Now my wheels did take longer and again it was worth th effort.

Have fun and LOVE your car and you will have a grest shine for a very long time. Also the newspaper tip is a very good one. Send pictures when your done.

[KTruck]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

Hi:

I have a brand new car that I will be detailing this weekend with some cleaner, sealant, ant then wax.

We all think of new cars as being clean but that may not be the case.

For example, many are stored outside after being built until it is shipped to a dealer. Also, while at the dealer most cars again are stored outside and are seldom washed. Never known what will be on the paint until you actually clean it.

So, claying a new car is a good idea and part of a good maintenance program.

Regards,

KTruck

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

Even if the car feels somewhat smooth to the touch, you will probably surprise yourself with how much stuff the clay will remove. Good luck.

[1fastsedan]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

You definitely should clay a new car. Most new cars are shipped to dealers by rail. The metal dust and shavings from the rail cars and tracks is murder on the paint. As others have mentioned, most cars are stored outside too. Even my new car I bought off the showroom floor in July had some sort of light blue fall-out and rail dust all over it and it was indoors for pretty much all of its stay at the dealership.

[TuffPoo]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

I have a brand new car that I will be detailing this weekend with some cleaner, sealant, ant then wax.

I plan on claying the car before all of that. Since it is brand new, do I only need to clay the hood, roof, and trunk of the car only? Besides, I think it would be hard and most likely not necessary to clay the sides of the car right?

Do the sides too because your wheels kick up dirt and other peoples cars kick up dirt on your car. I used to work at a body shop and we didn't really take time on clients cars just wash it with the same mitt we used all day then dry and clean windows of course if they payed for the detail then we took our time. I delivered the cars back to the dealership sometimes and they did the same as me so the car is probably dirty.

[Hondablue]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

I had my car for one week before I used clay on it. The paint was smooth to the touch. When I clayed it, it didn't remove too much stuff but the paint was even smoother.

I could feel little spots (raised) before the clay, none after.

I would say to clay your new car you won't be disappointed.

By the way, it took me about 20 minutes.

[brig2221]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

I clayed my car this evening in preparation of washing it again tomorrow to apply some polish/sealer.

I must say that I am very glad that I did that and am impressed. I wish I would have read more about how to do it beforehand as I spent around 2 hours doing this, pass after pass after pass, lol. I must have one clean paint surface right now, lol!

Quick question about claying going forward. How often should I look at claying my car? Also, when I clay my car, am I in effect removing my wax/sealant as well? Will I have to reseal and wax after every clay job?

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about claying a brand new car

Yeah, plan on cleaning/polishing/waxing after claying.

As far as how often, just get a feel tomorrow for how smooth your car is now, and how smooth it is after waxing. Then, after future washes, just give the paint a little feel. When it stops looking/feeling like it does now, you can decide to clay.

Sounds like you probably did a few more passes than needed, but could you see the clay picking stuff up, and the paint getting smoother? And lots of lube of course?