Clay Technique

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dtailthis2

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How exactly do you clay a car? I haven't done it in a good 8 years, and im nervous to try it on my car, 2001 x5. Doesnt seem too hard, but i dont wanna waste an hour and have to do it again.

I remember something like you go in the driection the wind goes over the car??? Circular motion? Up and down?


Thanks guys.
 
how I "clay" a car...

On a clean and dry car:
  1. break off a piece of clay (about a 1" ball) and flatten it out
  2. mist lubricating product* onto surface with one hand
  3. clay in front to back motions using the other hand
  4. flip the flattened piece over and continue
  5. fold it two or three times kneading it back into a working size piece and continue.
    [/list=1]

    * Megs Final Inspection, AM body shine #49, Window Cleaner, Water with a couple drops of Ivory soap, etc...
 
I'd like to add:

Use LIGHT pressure and glide it back and forth until you no longer feel resistance.
-and-
Polishing first. I use SSR2 or SSR1, clay, then Pro Polish. It makes claying easier and the clay doesn't get used up as fast. Clay is spendy and you're going to polish anyways...
 
for the extra $$ i'd save polishing first, i'd rather save myself the 45-60 minutes of polishing first, and just clay off the bat.


So is this service an add on? or is it common for a $150 detail?
 
After washing and before claying, I use Goof Off to remove tar, bugs, sap, etc... saves me alot of clay!

I'm gonna be like BigRon and his NuFinish with my Goof Off.
 
claying

dtailthis2 said:
should it be done in shade? on a cool surface?
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Shouldn't matter. You'l be more comfortable in the shade, I always think its easier to see in the sun.

This can be used in the sun or shade. I love it!
 
Being in the sun or shade doesn't really matter so much as doing it on a cool surface. That is how most products are suggested for use.
 
If you are polishing anyways, why does it matter when you do it? How does it save time doing it after claying? Also why wash after claying? Again, if you're doing a multiple step polish you just clay after first polish step then residue (there really shouldn't be any if you clay correctly) is removed in the second polishing step. Folks, clay is meant to pick up imbedded contaminants, it is not a substitute for cleaning paint.
 
rhillstr said:

Polishing first. I use SSR2 or SSR1, clay, then Pro Polish. It makes claying easier and the clay doesn't get used up as fast. Clay is spendy and you're going to polish anyways...
Click to expand...

I thought clay was supposed to be a first step if your going to clean the clearcoat/paint surface? By using the SSRs or Polish before claying your just moving the "embeded contaminants" around on the paint surface right *ACK!*???? Once you clay you have removed the majority of the embeded stuff and it wont be harmful on the surface....right?

Also, I wash before and after claying. To remove the clay and lubricant residue. I agree that the clay *should* pickup most everything but what if it doesn't?

*EDIT* Jngrbrdman - nice writeup.
 
charge

also in a $150 interior and exterior detail, do you guys include claying? or should that be an extra?
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When I detail a vehicle I dont charge extra for the clay process. That is if I'm doing a full detail or full ext. only detail. Now if you were gonna do a wash and wax you could consider claying the vehicle extra. In either case your doing the work and quoting the price so its basically up to you really.
Good Luck
 
optik said:
I thought clay was supposed to be a first step if your going to clean the clearcoat/paint surface? By using the SSRs or Polish before claying your just moving the "embeded contaminants" around on the paint surface right *ACK!*???? Once you clay you have removed the majority of the embeded stuff and it wont be harmful on the surface....right?

Also, I wash before and after claying. To remove the clay and lubricant residue. I agree that the clay *should* pickup most everything but what if it doesn't?

*EDIT* Jngrbrdman - nice writeup.
Click to expand...

Nope, by definition they are embedded and do not move around. If they did, then you wouldn't need to clay you could just polish to remove them.
 
This is interesting. I always clay then polish, I might try it the other way next time. Anyone else have a take on this? Just curious on the order that others take.
 
I would think of it like this (I read this somewhere and liked it)... If you had a sliver in your finger, would you pull the sliver out before or after you put on the rubbing alcohol? You might as well pull the particles while they are sticking up out of the paint and before you knock them all off with the polish. They will be easier to remove if you get them first and then clean up the paint with the polish after. But what do I know? I'm smooth with the ladies and don't know much about detailing. :naughty
 
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