Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

[hgangesh]

About 3 Months back I completed the whole 5 step process by Hand. Car surface was smooth and looking great. However, given the Hot and Sandy conditions in the UAE, I can feel the grit even after a good wash.

Keen to know if I need to Clay the car before I apply polish and wax. Or will Meguiars Deep Crystal Pain Cleaner do after a wash to strip the old polish and wax before a new coat.

[Sleper]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

I would use the baggie test. place a plastic bag over your hand and swipe across clean car. If you feel bumpy you need to clay. if smooth you are good to go. Good luck

[DasBurninator]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

After a wash do the baggie test. If you can feel bumps or imperfections then clay the car.

I would clay before using something like Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

[davey g-force]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

I would use the baggie test. place a plastic bag over your hand and swipe across clean car. If you feel bumpy you need to clay. if smooth you are good to go. Good luck

Don't 'swipe across' - that could cause scratching. Move your hand within the bag.

[thedoc46]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

The best way to avoid needing to clay (after the initial clay) is just give your car a 10mins waterless wash every few days. Nothing has a chance to bond to the surface, and take consideration of where you're parking..

You really should only need to clay once or twice a yr, so perhaps you're parking in places where there's high contaminates in the air, or under a tree. I do it every 3months regardless, which is overkill yes, but i do like a nice smooth surface for my MF to slide across every time i do a waterless wash. (D115 being my recommendation)

[rookie1]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

Is it OK to clay paint that is only 3 month.

[The Guz]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

Is it OK to clay paint that is only 3 month.

Yes. See the above posts as they covered a way to determine when to clay.

[sunday joe]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

Don't 'swipe across' - that could cause scratching. Move your hand within the bag.

Don't 'swipe across' - that could cause scratching. Move your hand within the bag.

First time I've heard that about the Baggie Test.

Good to Know. Thanks Dave G - Force.

[hgangesh]

Re: Do I need to clay before I apply polish and wax

Thank you all for the information and support. I did do the baggie test, and could feel the grit on the tips of my fingers. Hence I guess its time for me to clay. As for parking, in the UAE, it really doesn't make a difference. You can wash you car at night, park it in the basement of a building and come back the next morning, and you will see a layer of fine sand on it. Drive on the roads akin the a good sand blasting session. There is sand everywhere, we are in the middle of the desert. I am thinking of Washing, Claying, Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, Compound, Polish and do a coat of ceramic sealant. Hopefully this will at least help keep the paint good for a while.