does claying remove existing wax

[fpalattao]

I have 2 coats of tech wax on but just wondering if I clay certain spots will that remove existing protection.

[Mosca]

Kind of yes and no. If the real question is, "Should I rewax the area after claying?" Then the answer is "Yes, you should."

Wax isn't like clear paint; it's a thin fragile film of a product whose primary characteristic is an ability to stick to things and to itself. One of the chief reasons a film sticks is precisely because it is a film. (This is actually an emerging field of molecular biology, by the way; bacterial infections are living films of bacteria, and the primary way of killing the infection is by destroying the integrity of the film. You can look it up.) Although I'm not a biologist, nor a chemist nor a chemical engineer, I think I can safely say that the "filminess" is compromised in the clayed area. Rewax to restore the integrity of the film.


Tom

[Eliot Ness]

I recently detailed a car that had two coats of wax applied about two weeks prior. There were some spots that had a little bit of overspray on the car which the clay easily removed. My only conclusion is that to do so it had to take the wax that was over it off also.

[Mike Phillips]

Yes.

Claying is an abrasive process. After you clay a car, you should always re-apply polish and wax.

Mike

[scrub]

Originally posted by Mosca


Wax isn't like clear paint; it's a thin fragile film of a product whose primary characteristic is an ability to stick to things and to itself. One of the chief reasons a film sticks is precisely because it is a film. (This is actually an emerging field of molecular biology, by the way; bacterial infections are living films of bacteria, and the primary way of killing the infection is by destroying the integrity of the film. You can look it up.) Although I'm not a biologist, nor a chemist nor a chemical engineer,

He did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night! Very nice write up.

This a good question about clay and wax. I've seen two different schools of thought. I subscribe to rewaxing after clay use.

I love to wax a car after claying. The wax spreads sooo smooth and easy.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I tend to agree. I would re-wax after claying.

Tim

[jfelbab]

My $ 0.02

If you want to remove all of your protectant (wax or polymer) clay will not do it. You would need to resort to a paint cleaner or other product made for that specific purpose. If you clay and think your coat of protection is still intact you'd be mistaken.

Clay removes some of that coating so if you clay you should reapply your choice of protectant.

Mosca's description is very close to the mark. Guess those Holiday Inn Express stays really do work.