Not sure about CLAY use

V

Viggen312

New member
I am not sure whether or not i need to use clay prior to polishing/waxing. I have heard the only cars that dont are either new or pampered. I know i dont have swirl marks and when i run my fingers over the paint after a wash it is smooth with a few VERY small imperfections. I tried using the Zaino bar and it just seemed to glide over the surface. There was no friction and it didnt seem to pick up anything. I am wondering, now, if that there is nothing for it to pick up? I really take good care of my paint so is this possible?

Also... what should i be using as a lubricant? I tried 1/2 cap of Zaino car wash with water in a spray bottle and it seemed to work adaquatley. Should i be using somethign else? Thanks in advance!
 
Take a plastic bagy ..(ziplock,gladd) put you hand in and go across your paint. If you feel bumbs, you should clay...
Use alot of lubrcant, I use my quick detailer...some use soapy water..
jeff
 
I guess that if you really take care of the paint, it is certainly possible that clay may have nothing to remove, although it seems unlikely that the bumpers or the lower panels behind the wheels could be that clean. The problem is, you don't actually know that the clay has nothing to remove until you use it and if you are going to try for a perfect finish you should clay before polishing just to make sure. If the clay comes out perfectly clean, spray it with some QD, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it away for the next time. I usually use Eagle One QD with the clay because it's relatively cheap and available locally, but I have tried it with soapy water and it worked fine. I didn't use a spray bottle though. After I washed my car, I got a fresh bucket of car wash, soaped the panel, clayed and rinsed off. I can't imagine just using a spray bottle of soapy water without hosing because it would leave dried soap on the car. While the plastic bag technique would certainly detect any significant contamination, I want my paint totally clean prior to spending all that time cleaning, polishing and waxing so I use the clay regardless. I don't like to be 99% sure when I can be 100% sure, at least on my personal cars. If I were working on someone else's car and it passed the plastic bag test, I would probably advise them that the car did not need to be clayed and leave the final choice to them.
 
I clayed my show truck last year for the first time... This was factory paint, '95 GMC 8624 white bc/cc. This truck is always inside, and it gets polished before every show. I could not believe the difference a good claying made on the paint. It was nite and day! You could see the difference from one panel to the next. IMO, I don't think it matters how old your car is... claying will clean the paint and really set it up for a good polishing and waxing...
 
I highly recommend claying, use the baggy test before and after on just one panel and you will completely understand. As far as worrying about the soap residue, if you are going to use a paint cleaner or polish it will remove what little is left.
 
Use the clay you will find that it is one of the best paint care products available. Use plenty of QD or soapy water and rub lighty
 
Can anyone tell me what the ratio of soap to water for use with the clay bar. I'm using QD spary at the moment , but this could save me some cash.
 
I put a couple capfuls of "CAR WASH liquid" in a gallon of warm water and usually fill up a spray bottle (empty QD bottle) a couple of times while doing a car. Works just fine...
Mark
 
Dave,

I typically use about 1/2 - 3/4 an ounce of soap in a bucket with approximately 2-3 gallons of water. Once you start claying you will be able to tell if you need to adjust the amount of soap. Of course the amount of soap will depend on the type of soap you're using as some create a higher concentration of suds than others.

I start using soap instead of QD because it's more efficient, works just well and it's MUCH cheaper.

Ringo
 
Like Ringo Said you could use a bucket of soapy water . Wash car with soap and water rinse off make up new bucket of soapy water (no grit) go over car with clay dunked in soapy water use a lot of suds rinse and wipe dry
 
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