claying on wet vs. dry car

[OBSSEST]

I've noticed that some say they wash AND dry before they start to clay with a detail spray. I'm always going to rinse with water and dry after claying, so is there any reason to dry before claying?

Also, I am going to give the Last Touch a try with the clay. If the surface is already wet, can't I just spray some undiluted Last Touch on there and essentially be mixing it 50/50 on the surface on the car?

[HighLine]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

Go 50/50 on the last touch, as far as drying the car first, I would but i assume that could be preference. I would definitely dry the car first if you working with some hard water. Some people do clay the car while the car is soaped, but that can also diminish the clay bar quicker.

[Murr1525]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

Doesnt really matter as far as claying performance, but if you are in a warm area, the water could be drying on your car causing water spots.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

i think i can understand what your saying..you want a faster and easier way to clay the car..claying is actually the one thing in detailing i dont like to do..i dont know why. takes too long ? not really sure. but i honestly have to say, its absolutely best to just wash the car, dry it "completely" and then just use your detail spray and clay the car..the detail spray will dry almost instantly after one pass with a microfiber. specially with Last Touch, its a great product. and do dilute it 50/50..using it straight for claying is too slick and could possibly cause you to not pick up bonded contaminents. also, using it straight for claying is just waisting product. hope this helps

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

I have read that water + clay bar = shorter life span for the clay bar. I always dry the car completely before claying. Then spray with a proper lubricant and clay.

[BobbyG]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

I've washed a car then got into claying without drying many times and don't see the advantage of drying. Without some sort of "lubricant" the clay bar will stick to the paint. Whether you use detail spray or a mixture of car wash and water both work the same.

[HCAD]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

I too like claying while the car is still in the wash bay, cleaned, but wet. I use my Last Touch diluted 50/50 (to save on product), and then thoroughly rinse it with water. Then dry. I don't use my clay bar while there is another type of soap on the car though.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

Washing and drying first simply prevents the formation of water spots, which may or may not be an issue depending on how hard your water is. Also, since you're claying anyway you may not see very fresh water spots as being an issue, again, depending on your water.

As a "best practices" case, however, a clean and dry car is recommended.

Speed3, you really don't like claying? It shouldn't take you long at all on your car - it's not that big, you maintain it very well. 20 minutes is all it should take under "normal" circumstances to fully clay a 3, or similar sized car.

[OBSSEST]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

good tips.

I got an electric leaf blower now so I think I'll wash, blow dry to get the majority of water off, then use the QD spray to clay. I should be getting my "sample" 32 oz. Last Touch tomorrow. we'll see how it works.

[cd36]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

When I did my 300C I did it wet, but I used ONR to wash the car, which can also be used as clay bar lube, so I didn't see the harm in leaving it. If water spots were starting to form they would be taken away by the clay bar.

20 Minutes to clay a car? I think I took probably 2 hours to clay my car, it was by far the most time consuming part of the process, it was horrible. I clayed the entire thing, do you guys only selectively clay bad parts to get down to 20 minutes? My car was already pretty clean, I didn't have to clean away much.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

When I did my 300C I did it wet, but I used ONR to wash the car, which can also be used as clay bar lube, so I didn't see the harm in leaving it. If water spots were starting to form they would be taken away by the clay bar.

20 Minutes to clay a car? I think I took probably 2 hours to clay my car, it was by far the most time consuming part of the process, it was horrible. I clayed the entire thing, do you guys only selectively clay bad parts to get down to 20 minutes? My car was already pretty clean, I didn't have to clean away much.

How badly contaminated was your car? For routine claying you shouldn't be struggling to get the job done or find it either tedious or difficult. But if you've got a lot of contamination (the whole car feels like 80 grit sandpaper) then it can take longer when using a consumer grade clay. We've seen cases where a really rough job is made much easier with our C2000 Mild Blue Professional Detailing Clay, but those cases are fairly extreme. But we once had a person tell us it took 3 hours to clay the trunk of his Miata - something is just plain wrong there!

[Murr1525]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

You just need to clay until the surface isnt grabbing the clay, which for a car in good condition, is just a light pass or two, kind of like waxing by hand. Just slide around the car. Obviously in worse condition it takes longer.

Without enough lubrication, the clay will stick to the surface, so you have to kind of learn the difference between the two, so you dont clay and clay because the clay is sticking.

[cd36]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

How badly contaminated was your car? For routine claying you shouldn't be struggling to get the job done or find it either tedious or difficult. But if you've got a lot of contamination (the whole car feels like 80 grit sandpaper) then it can take longer when using a consumer grade clay. We've seen cases where a really rough job is made much easier with our C2000 Mild Blue Professional Detailing Clay, but those cases are fairly extreme. But we once had a person tell us it took 3 hours to clay the trunk of his Miata - something is just plain wrong there!

The car was quite clean, so it was probably overkill. It was my first time doing it, so I was probably doing it overkill. If all it takes is a pass or two over a mostly clean surface then I could probably cut down alot of time. Next time I'm sure I can cut it down by quite a bit, especially once I get more used to it.

[mcsniper703]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

I am wondering how many time doe the G1001 clay bar last on how many time on the car such as mid sized sedan is 2009 Nissan Altima and would it move water spot or do I have to get blue clay bar? Also wondering what remove hard tree sap is pretty mild, would this Gold Class Bug N' Tar Remover help to remove it? I had finished doing G1001 clay bar on a friend's car, it was a intresting product, my first time, the result is amazing but I find it cleaner wax on hand is tough and longer, I dont have a buffering machine. Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: claying on wet vs. dry car

I am wondering how many time doe the G1001 clay bar last on how many time on the car such as mid sized sedan is 2009 Nissan Altima and would it move water spot or do I have to get blue clay bar?

It'll last a good while.... Depends on your area, how often you need to use it, but with 'average' use, could get a couple years. Of course break the clay into smaller pieces to use.

Depends on the type of spots... if it is residue on the surface, then yes. If it is etched in, like a swirl/scratch, then no.

Also wondering what remove hard tree sap is pretty mild, would this Gold Class Bug N' Tar Remover help to remove it?

Yeah, I would use the Bug N'Tar, let it soak on the spot a bit before washing. Then wash the car, do a second application if needed. Then clay. Should be gone, can use glass cleaner if not.

I had finished doing G1001 clay bar on a friend's car, it was a intresting product, my first time, the result is amazing but I find it cleaner wax on hand is tough and longer, I dont have a buffering machine. Thanks.

Not sure what you mean about the cleaner/wax?