Question: Do u HAVE to clay bar before EACH polish/ wax??

D

dinesh7

New member
good day all,



The parking lot where my audi sits has lots of birds and they like to sit on the trunk i think....causing minor scratches with their claws. I would like to PC that area with a menz FP and maybe the whole car after.



I just clayed the ENTIRE car in end april, do you think i still need to do it again? car has been sitting in the garage 24/7, fully zainoed etc.



I just hate the claybar...with a passion. :grrr
 
You dont have to clay, but keep in mind that the cleaner the paint is, the easier and more effective the polishing process will be.
 
dinesh7 said:
I just clayed the ENTIRE car in end april, do you think i still need to do it again? car has been sitting in the garage 24/7
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Personally, I definitely wouldn't bother to clay again under these circumstances.
 
You can always wash it and run your fingertips over different areas and see if you feel any particles that would need to be clayed and then just do a spot claying if you felt the need.
 
dinesh7 said:
sorry what i meant was sit in the garage after i drive it everyday lol. still fine you think?
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Yes, it's still probably fine, it's only been a month, and it's been garaged most of the time. Unless you came in contact with some sort of contaminant, I'd be really surprised if it needs to be clayed.



But as was mentioned, the best test is feel. You can feel when the paint needs to be clayed.
 
dinesh7 said:
good day all,



The parking lot where my audi sits has lots of birds and they like to sit on the trunk i think....causing minor scratches with their claws. I would like to PC that area with a menz FP and maybe the whole car after.



I just clayed the ENTIRE car in end april, do you think i still need to do it again? car has been sitting in the garage 24/7, fully zainoed etc.



I just hate the claybar...with a passion. :grrr
Click to expand...



I generally will do my entire car about twice a year. The areas that tend to get more exposure to crap (front bumper, hood area) I may clay them more often. I would say if you did the car a couple of months ago, then you are probably OK.



I used to hate the claybar myself, but after realizing what a great too it really is I don't mind it so much anymore.
 
That depends on where you are I guess. My vehicles arent exposed to much, so I dont clay them very often. Maybe 3-4 times a year. I try to do a full out about 4 times a year.
 
thank you for your responses, will post some pics in about 2 weeks or so, but i first need to get 10 posts up. black 06 A8 anyone :) ?
 
dinesh7 said:
good day all,



The parking lot where my audi sits has lots of birds and they like to sit on the trunk i think....causing minor scratches with their claws. I would like to PC that area with a menz FP and maybe the whole car after.



I just clayed the ENTIRE car in end april, do you think i still need to do it again? car has been sitting in the garage 24/7, fully zainoed etc.



I just hate the claybar...with a passion. :grrr
Click to expand...
No, you don't have to clay before each polish. What dictates if you need to clay is the smoothness of the paint. After you wash it, gently slide the back of your hand across the surface and see if it feels rough, if so, clay. If not, no need.
 
usdm said:
You dont have to clay, but keep in mind that the cleaner the paint is, the easier and more effective the polishing process will be.
Click to expand...

This is my answer too. Check and feel the paint to make sure. Claying also allow the LSP to bond to the finish better too.
 
dinesh7 said:
good day all,



The parking lot where my audi sits has lots of birds and they like to sit on the trunk i think....causing minor scratches with their claws. I would like to PC that area with a menz FP and maybe the whole car after.



I just clayed the ENTIRE car in end april, do you think i still need to do it again? car has been sitting in the garage 24/7, fully zainoed etc.



I just hate the claybar...with a passion. :grrr
Click to expand...



I too clayed my Honda back in April. Right now, it's starting to feel rough all over, but overall it's still in pretty good shape. However, my car is outside 24/7. I don't know why you hate claying. I personally love it because it's so easy to do. :)
 
I have a medium to dark red car. Even though the paint, during my last detail, felt smooth, the clay bar still pulled out dirt. I was originally only going to clay one or two sections and ended up doing the enitre car. The paint felt pretty much the same but looked cleaner and less dull.
 
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