To clay or not to clay

[cjeter]

I have an 08 black Vette that has been garaged and covered since new. I've washed regularly (Gold Class shampoo) and used (Water Magnet) MF towels to dry. When I run my hand across the paint it feels smooth, and to my untrained eye I don't see swirl marks or paint imperfections. Wanting to get the most out of the cars appearance I am wondering if I should clay before going to (Deep Crystal) polish and then (NXT Tech Wax 2.0) wax?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: To clay or not to clay

Since this is your first post to our forum,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

I have an 08 black Vette that has been garaged and covered since new. I've washed regularly (Gold Class shampoo) and used (Water Magnet) MF towels to dry. When I run my hand across the paint it feels smooth, and to my untrained eye I don't see swirl marks or paint imperfections. Wanting to get the most out of the cars appearance I am wondering if I should clay before going to (Deep Crystal) polish and then (NXT Tech Wax 2.0) wax?

From your description it doesn't sound like you need to clay your car's paint.

Interestingly enough, sometimes claying will reveal bonded contaminants that your sense of touch could not detect and your eyes could not see. You really won't know unless you clay a section and then turn the clay over and inspect the clay.

The clay in our Smooth Surface Clay Kit is white and it works really well to show contaminants, (if any), to your eyes after you clay a section.

So it doesn't sound like you need to clay but when done correctly, it won't hurt the paint so you have nothing to loose except for a little time and the cost of a quality detailing clay kit.




Smooth Surface Clay Kit

[phobs]

Re: To clay or not to clay

Try using the plastic bag trick. Run your fingers with a plastic bag on the paint. It will enhance your sense of touch and you'll be able to feel any contaminants.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: To clay or not to clay

Wanting to get the most out of the cars appearance I am wondering if I should clay before going to (Deep Crystal) polish and then (NXT Tech Wax 2.0) wax?

Be sure to have plenty of quality microfiber polishing cloths on hand for removing polish and wax as well as applicator pads like these,

X3070 Soft Foam Applicator Pads



Here's a thread a lot of people find intersting...

Which products need to dry before removing?

[mb911]

Re: To clay or not to clay

A few years ago, before I ever clayed, I was unable to detect above surface contaminants on my paint. I just didn't know what I was trying to feel.

Once I tried claying a piece of a car, I then saw the difference. However, nevertheless, it is possible you don't need claying from your description.

[zoomzoom mazda5]

Re: To clay or not to clay

When in doubt , I would clay the Corvette.

[Murr1525]

Re: To clay or not to clay

Yeah, I certainly thought I knew what a smooth car was, then I clayed and found out.

[cjeter]

Re: To clay or not to clay

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the information/experience.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: To clay or not to clay

You will not damage the paint. I would say go ahead and clay the Vette.

[ShinyMopar]

Re: To clay or not to clay

When we bought our last new car in 07 I really didn't know much about what detailing was nor did I know how to do it. So when we bought our car I let the dealership "detail" it. Needless to say they actually did a good job and the car looked amazing and believe it or not there weren't any swirls.

A day or two later this brand new car was just sitting in our garage and I wanted to toy around a little and detail it myself. I checked around and picked up the clay bar kit from Meguiars and a bottle of wax. To make a long story short you would not believe what this picked up from a BRAND NEW car that to me felt perfectly smooth. There were little black specs all over the clay. You surely couldn't feel it nor could you see it. So now I always clay before I do any polishing or waxing.