To clay or not

[cyber3fan]

Okay, if I plan on using a mild cleaner polish such as SwirlX before waxing, do I really need to clay? Wouldn't the SwirlX take care of the claying process?

Cyber3fan

[Murr1525]

Re: To clay or not

No, two different steps. Definitely clay.

[Grand Am GT]

Re: To clay or not

Claying makes a big difference. You'll be happy you did.

[akimel]

Re: To clay or not

One reason to clay is to remove contaminants that might break off during the polishing process, get trapped in the pad, and end up scratching the paint surface.

[cyber3fan]

Re: To clay or not

Thanks for the info

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: To clay or not

I clay my care more than I wash it.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: To clay or not

They are 2 different steps. All part of the "system" to get the maximum clarity out of your paint.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: To clay or not

Just to expand a bit on what has been said here already:

Claying is designed to do one thing, and do it very easily - remove above surface bonded contaminants. This is stuff like tree sap mist, pollen, industrial fallout, paint overspray, etc. It's all the junk that accumulates over time that sticks to the paint and is not removed with routine washing. If your paint feels rough to the touch, or you feel little bumps on the surface when the paint is clean and dry, then claying is by far the best way to eliminate the problem.

Paint cleaning is the process of removing below surface defects such as swirls, stains, etching, oxidation, etc. It is generally an abrasive process (in widely varying degrees, of course) that effectively levels the paint to give a smooth, flat surface.

While it would seem logical that a leveling of the paint would also remove anything stuck to the surface, it isn't really that simple. A high concentration of bonded contaminants will act almost like a barrier when using a paint cleaner, and the paint cleaner won't be anywhere near as effective. Sometimes that "bond" can be surprisingly strong, but even if you were successful in removing the contaminants, where would they go? Right into your applicator and back against your paint. Clay is designed in such a way that it slowly abrades these fine contaminants and essentially collects them in the clay - you can clearly see this in the discoloration of the clay as you work, and it's why you should knead the clay regularly to expose fresh material as you go.

Ultimately though, whether you need to clay or not is a determination that only you can make, based on what you feel on the surface and what your ultimate expectations and goals are.