Clay as a wax remover

nailzer

nailzer

New member
I know clay removes wax, but is it as good as wax removers or dish washing soaps? I'm working in spot areas of my car that has AIO and P21S applied and want to remove it to work on swirls and scratches without affecting other waxed areas.
 
Whatever you use to polish will remove the wax, don't worry. And then when you reapply AIO it will remove what's left over from that giving you a perfectly prepped surface.
 
In my experience, detailing clay, *used correctly* does not remove wax or other LSPs. I've been spot-claying my vehicles with detailing clay ever since it first came on the market (that's literally almost every wash for many years) and it doesn't remove an appreciable amount of LSP unless I deliberately clay so aggressively that I feel I'm doing it "wrong".



But yeah, you can usually just let the polish cut through everything or else use something like PrepSol on the spots you're gonna work.
 
Hmm I always thought that clay was a product that removed wax.



Also how do you clay "wrong" Accumulator? I never really thought there was a wrong way besides not using a lubricant.
 
I don't even use lubricant with clay....well, not *clay* lubricant. I actually just use soapy water and it does just as well.
 
CutNAction said:
Also how do you clay "wrong" Accumulator? I never really thought there was a wrong way besides not using a lubricant.
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Applying too much pressure while claying.
 
Claying will not be enough to remove all of the waxed residue. You really need a good paint cleaner formulated for either a one stage or two stage paint surface depending on your paint.



This is an essential first step before polishing and waxing.
 
Yea I never use "actual" clay lubricant either.. what a waste of money to me.



I also put some of whatever soap I use to wash my car in a spray bottle with water.
 
CutNAction said:


I also put some of whatever soap I use to wash my car in a spray bottle with water.
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Yup me too.





If you want to remove the wax on one door/panel only, you could just apply a polish by hand to that door/panel. Then you wouldn't affect the LSP on the other areas.
 
Been using Clay for years but never felt it was good as a wax remover. I have always used some kind of polish to do that but the last year I have been using P21S Total Auto wash mixed with some water in a spray bottle. It does an excellent job of removing waxes and you can save the polishes for other tasks. Plus the Total Auto wash is great for wheelwells, engine cleaning, undercarraige and interior. Its an all in one degreaser safe for any part of the vehicle.



Later, 04MysticCobra.



2004 Mystichrome Cobra coupe

2004 Majestic Blue Maxima SE
 
Accumulator said:
In my experience, detailing clay, *used correctly* does not remove wax or other LSPs. I've been spot-claying my vehicles with detailing clay ever since it first came on the market (that's literally almost every wash for many years) and it doesn't remove an appreciable amount of LSP unless I deliberately clay so aggressively that I feel I'm doing it "wrong".



But yeah, you can usually just let the polish cut through everything or else use something like PrepSol on the spots you're gonna work.
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:xyxthumbs
 
I've mentioned this in the past here on Autopia and in my use of clay I found that clay does not remove my sealant. At least not much of it. I observe the clay to glide (hydroplane) across the paint finish picking up bonded contaminants along the way. The abrasive properties of the clay hardly comes into play as it glides over the surface on a film of lubricant. Where it does pick up the bits of bonded contaminant there will be no wax but those are small spots at best. Never-the-less I polish and wax after claying anyway. Even though my finish still beads water profusely after claying.



Forrest from Mother's stated their findings were that clay removed the LSP but when I asked about how they determined the protectant was gone after claying he went mute.



My experience with clay after about 20 years it that it is not effective at removing an LSP. If you want to remove the LSP use a paint cleaner designed for the purpose.
 
Well, I clayed my 1996 Corvette and the wax did not get removed as far as I can tell. This was the first clay treatment on the car and it look awesome.
 
jfelbab said:


Forrest from Mother's stated their findings were that clay removed the LSP but when I asked about how they determined the protectant was gone after claying he went mute.
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Hmmmm, I don't remember ever going mute - I must not have seen/responded to the post.



Our testing showed the LSP was removed based on the surface feel (squeak) after using clay, then washing and drying.



Conversely, how do you know a product was still on the paint surface after claying?
 
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