can i use m205 without claying the car?

[apollofin]

Hi i am apollofin nice to meet all car lovers below is my question

can i use m205 with rb without claying the car?

[Shawn T.]

Re: can i use m205 without claying the car?

Welcome to MOL!

Yes. But, you will achieve much better results with claying.

[STRIFE]

Re: can i use m205 without claying the car?

Claying is soooo easy, I always like working on a neglected vehicle and seeing the results.

[Nyholm]

Re: can i use m205 without claying the car?

You only need to clay if you have above surface contaminants. Feel the paint with a clean hand and listen. Should feel like glass and be quitet when you move your hand across the paint. If not -> Clay.

But in general its good to clay before proceeding. Personally, I never skip the clay-part.

[Murr1525]

Re: can i use m205 without claying the car?

The problem, like I had at first, is I thought I knew what a smooth paint was. Then I tried claying for the heck of it. And then the paint was actually smooth.

So you havent done it before, I feel it is safe to say it needs done.

As far as needing it before #205, no, you can use #205 without claying. Just a more complete detail if claying is needed and done.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: can i use m205 without claying the car?

The problem, like I had at first, is I thought I knew what a smooth paint was. Then I tried claying for the heck of it. And then the paint was actually smooth.

That is an excellent point, Mat!

So you havent done it before, I feel it is safe to say it needs done.

As far as needing it before #205, no, you can use #205 without claying. Just a more complete detail if claying is needed and done.

The reality is, you don't have to use clay before using M205 or any other cleaner, polish, etc. But doing so is a "best practices" kind of thing, so we recommend it unless you know for an absolute certainty that the paint is truly free from bonded contaminants. Mat may not have understood that fully when he first started out in this hobby (and honestly, most people don't when first starting out as evidenced by the number of people who are shocked at the result the first time they do clay), but we're willing to bet he can detect the difference in a heartbeat today!