Should we skip the claying process ?

[DarkBlue]

Hi Guys

I am wondering 2 months after we wax our car, can we top up an additional layer since the dirt has not got on to the clearcoat yet ?

If we keep topping up wax, every 2 months, can we skip the claying process ?

Just wondering.....

[MarkH]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

When was the last time it was clayed? If you just clayed it 2 months ago, then you don't need to clay. If the last time you clayed it was last year (or never clayed?) then you probably want to get it done. It makes a huge difference.

[Mister B]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

There really is no defined time period for when you should or should not clay.The key to determining when you need to clay is checking the surface of the paint for contaminanst after you wash and dry the vehicle.

So after you wash and dry the car take your clean hand and feel the paint. If the paint is still smooth like glass and you do not feel any contaminants stuck to the paint you should be fine applying another layer of wax without needing to clay again.

Example:
In Early Spring I clayed, polished and waxed my truck. The very next week I washed my truck and as I was drying it off, I noticed that the paint felt like sand paper. Sometime during that week overspray got onto my paint. I don't know where I got it from, but regardless I had to re-clay my truck again just after having done it the week prior. So check your paint.

[Mister B]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Here is a good thread that you can read through.

How often do I need to clay my car's finish?

[DarkBlue]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Thanks

As I was wondering whether claying is a must have or "nice to have" process

Seem like its best to evaluate the paint before claying

[Andrew C.]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Yep, just feel your paint with your hand. If you have clayed before you know what a clean surface will feel like. If you feel grittyness then go ahead and clay, it really doesn't take too much time.

[Bounty]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Yep, just feel your paint with your hand. If you have clayed before you know what a clean surface will feel like. If you feel grittyness then go ahead and clay, it really doesn't take too much time.

.....perform a "plastic bag test" on the surface. Place your hand inside a ziploc bag and lightly run it over the surface of the paint after washing. If it feels rough, has bumps that can be felt, snags or catches the bag, or makes a dry rubbing noise it needs to be clayed. Regardless of whether it's been a month or a year. The level of contamination is dependent on atmospheric and environmental conditions, where it is stored, amount of miles driven, etc not on time alone.

[DarkBlue]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

I have learned alot in the last 2 days, merely by visiting this forum...

Thanks guys !!

[Zeta Detail]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

As I was wondering whether claying is a must have or "nice to have" process

I wonder the same for a different reason: claying is a relatively recent addition to the detailing processes. Here at MOL I've read that Meguiar's started selling clay bars in the early '90s. Then, why has claying suddenly become so important? Cars were polished without being clayed before for many decades, and I assume that results were good.

Another reason: Joe Fernandez of Superior Shine, one of the best detailers around whose work serves me as an inspiration, has polished a B-17 airplane without claying it beforehand (which would've been obviously impossible due to the huge size of the airplane). And I didn't read any of the old-hands look down on Joe's work because he skipped the claying step.

Although I clay my cars regularly, and I love the smooth feeling to the touch that clay leaves, I wonder if it really is so important.

Another question: can a paint cleaner do the clay bar's work?

[DarkBlue]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Another question: can a paint cleaner do the clay bar's work?

Thats what I am thinking too... such as DC Step 1 Cleaner ?

[CieraSL]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Another reason: Joe Fernandez of Superior Shine, one of the best detailers around whose work serves me as an inspiration, has polished a B-17 airplane without claying it beforehand (which would've been obviously impossible due to the huge size of the airplane). And I didn't read any of the old-hands look down on Joe's work because he skipped the claying step.

That plane was made of aluminum, though, not paint. Different process for a different material. See thread here. And no, a paint cleaner cannot do the job of a clay bar. Clay bars remove bonded contaminants, paint cleaners remove scratches and swirl marks. 2 different products for 2 different purposes.

[Mister B]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

Can a paint cleaner do the clay bar's work?

I'm sure someone will come along with a more in depth answer, but here is my brief answer to your question.

A paint cleaner can do the work of a clay bar, but a clay bar is just a more gentle means of getting the job done. A clay bar will remove the above surface bonded contaminants while not removing any of your clear coat. Depending on the paint cleaner (or polishing compound) that you use, The polishing compound will remove the above surface bonded contaminants, but it will also remove a little or a lot of your clearcoat in the process depending on the products that you are using.

Clay is just another tool selection and goes along the lines of Meguiar's teaching to use the least aggressive product to get the job done.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

We always want to use the least aggressive method when detailing. That is another reason why you would want to use a clay bar which removes 0 clear as compared to a cleaner which does remove some clear as well as the contaminants.

Another bit on using a paint cleaner to remove contaminants and defects is that it hinders the defect removing capability. It is better to work on a surface with a paint cleaner where you are able to cut straight into the swirls rather than having to do a combination of removing contaminants and swirls. Having to remove both results in not as effective correction work.


Also the plane was aluminum, so it did not really need to be clayed, even though they technically could have clayed it. In a situation such as detailing a B-17 bomber, you have to put things into perspective. It took them basically a week to do the whole thing, imagine how long it would take if they clayed first. They were using rotaries with wool pads, so it was a pretty heavy cut to remove contaminants and oxidation. You can't really use that as a comparison, its like comparing apples to oranges. One is a gigantic metal plane and basically all of us drive a car/truck with either a single stage or clear coat paint.

Hope that helps!

[Zeta Detail]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

a clay bar is just a more gentle means of getting the job done. A clay bar will remove the above surface bonded contaminants while not removing any of your clear coat. Depending on the paint cleaner (or polishing compound) that you use, The polishing compound will remove the above surface bonded contaminants, but it will also remove a little or a lot of your clearcoat in the process depending on the products that you are using.

Come on, don't tell me that Deep Crystal Cleaner is an abrasive polish that will remove a noticeable part of the clearcoat. If I wanted to polish the paint, I'd go straight to ScratchX. If I want to clean it, I'd use DC Cleaner. What's the difference if both products are abrasives? What tells a paint cleaner from a polish?

Besides, there are non-abrasive paint cleaners out there, pure chemical cleaners. Dodo Lime Prime Lite comes to my mind, or Sonax Premium Class Paint Cleaner. In these cases, since there are no abrasives, what's the function of the paint cleaner? When should I use a cleaner instead of clay? I'm not sure if Meguiar's manufactures similar products.

We always want to use the least aggressive method when detailing. That is another reason why you would want to use a clay bar which removes 0 clear as compared to a cleaner which does remove some clear as well as the contaminants.

Andrew, same answer as before.

Another bit on using a paint cleaner to remove contaminants and defects is that it hinders the defect removing capability.

Really? So the whole detailing and paint-correction industry has been wrong for 90 years until clay was introduced 15 years ago?

What I'd like to know is why the claying step is so fundamental. If it wasn't 15 years ago, what makes it indispensable today?

I love the soft feel of car paint after being clayed, but I wonder if the same could be achieved simply by polishing it. Could we simply skip the clay and go straight to polishing without fear of inflicting any harm to paint or to the buffing pads?

Do all pros clay before polishing? Do they take the time to do it or instead go straight to paint polishing?

I'm just a novice amateur detailer that maybe only needs some education. Thanks all for your answers.

[Alex C.]

Re: Should we skip the claying process ?

I'm no pro but IMHO, claying is a process that can't be replaced. I've done a detail or two without claying and i was not happy with the results.