Claying for first time

M

Malachi71

New member
After washing, is it recommended to dry the vehicle first before claying or can I begin claying with a wet vehicle using the left over water as well as the spray lube as the lubricant for the clay?
 
Plenty of people clay without first drying the vehicle, it's a minor variation on the clay-as-you-wash technique. Should work fine as long as you don't let the water dry, which would result in spotting. So you might want to spray the vehicle down from time to time to keep it wet.
 
I suggest after washing not drying. I use soap with clay lube. Clay lube is to harsh for the paint. claying is abrasive. The soap dilliutes the lube so it's not as harsh on your clear coat. You can just use soapy water for lubricate instead of clay lube. After that then wash again then dry.
 
much like everyone else here, i clay after i wash with little or no drying. be ready to have your paint feeling baby butt smooth!

:D
 
I wash, rinse, and then clay with the car still wet, using a mix of car soap and water as clay lube. Then rinse again and dry here.
 
audipower said:
Clay lube is to harsh for the paint. claying is abrasive. The soap dilliutes the lube so it's not as harsh on your clear coat. You can just use soapy water for lubricate instead of clay lube...
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Probably depends on the clay and lube, but I get *much* better results using Glyde lubricant with my Sonus clay as opposed to shampoo/QDs/etc. I was pretty convinced that this would *not* be the case, but seeing is believing. No need to dilute it, in fact I wouldn't want to for fear of lessening its lubricity.



The Glyde lube isn't gonna hurt any paint either, so you don't need to worry about that if you use that brand. From old-school lacquer to Spies-Hecker clear, it works great.



Don't mean to sound like a shill for the Sonus stuff, but after using clay since the early '90s I'm too too easily impressed; this stuff continues to impress me (and favorably ;) ).
 
Richt said:
I wash, rinse, and then clay with the car still wet, using a mix of car soap and water as clay lube. Then rinse again and dry here.
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So after claying an area, say the hood, you rinse it down and dry? Is it necessary to wash again after claying?



Check this procedure and tell me if this is looks alright:



1. Wash vehicle

2. Clay

3. Rinse and dry vehicle

4. Prewax Cleaner

5. Polish (if needed)

6. Wax (I currently use Collinite)



Please keep in mind I am not a detailer or a car show enthusiast. I have a vehicle that I use for work and travel and I want to keep in good shape for years to come.
 
I would switch steps 4+5. Polish first and then use the cleaner product to remove any leftover oils from the polish and leave behind a good base for your wax.
 
Accumulator said:
Probably depends on the clay and lube, but I get *much* better results using Glyde lubricant with my Sonus clay as opposed to shampoo/QDs/etc. I was pretty convinced that this would *not* be the case, but seeing is believing. No need to dilute it, in fact I wouldn't want to for fear of lessening its lubricity.



The Glyde lube isn't gonna hurt any paint either, so you don't need to worry about that if you use that brand. From old-school lacquer to Spies-Hecker clear, it works great.



Don't mean to sound like a shill for the Sonus stuff, but after using clay since the early '90s I'm too too easily impressed; this stuff continues to impress me (and favorably ;) ).
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Agree with you. I use soap with the glyde when using the less abrasive sonus clay when not trying to remove sg from the paint. When I'm doing a full detail I use the glyde full force no soap.
 
Malachi71 said:
can I begin claying with a wet vehicle using the left over water as well as the spray lube as the lubricant for the clay?
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Whatever you do, don't use the left over wash water from washing the car - it'll be full of dirt and contaminants.



Use a clean mix of shampoo/water, either in a bucket of spray bottle. I use the latter.
 
Thanks to all for their input on claying.



Additionally, is it necessary to wash my vehicle again after claying or can I just rinse the sections down as I clay them, dry them off, then wax?
 
I've never washed after claying. I just dry the panel with a MF as I go along. I don't believe re-washing is necessary, but many on this board prefer to do it. Do whatever gives you confidence.
 
If I know that I will be claying after washing I will mix up my car wash soap in my bucket as usual, but before washing fill a spray bottle from the clean soapy water in the bucket. I'll usually have some spray leftover that I will use to clean my polishing pads as I am using them.



I'll wash, rinse, clay using the spray soapy water as a lube, and rinse as I go. After final drying and then I'm ready for my next step.
 
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