The Clay Process

D

dcswd

New member
I have tried searching, but I havent found any good answers. I am wondering about the process of claying. After washing the car, and then using the clay on a section, I was wondering if I have to wipe that section down, or can I just clay the entire car (without wiping each section down) and then re-wash the car?



How does everyone here use clay?
 
DC, you need to make sure you wipe the section down after your finished claying, or keep it wet until youve finished the entire section...i.e (hood, upper doors, roof, deck)..Its a very simple process once your acustomed to it....

Theres really no need imo, to use a lub other than water, or you can simply do it during the wash process....(Wet car, cleanse with sheepkin and soap in one hand, clay with the other)....



Where in Ca are you ??
 
DC,



Here is my own claying technique that I posted on another board. Hope you find it helpful.

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How to: Properly Clay your Car



Make sure you have thoroughly washed and dried your car prior to claying.



My clays of choice are the ones made by 3M or Mothers. They give you a very generous amount. Cut the bar in half. Take the half and cut it into 15 equal pieces:



2 for the hood

2 for the roof

1 for the trunk lid

1 for the trunk rear and rear bumper

2 for the rear quarter panels (1 per side)

4 for the doors (1 per door)(if you have a sedan)

2 for the front fenders (1 per side)

1 for the front of the car



Take the piece and roll it in to a sphere. Take the sphere and flatten it out into a circle so that it covers the top third of your first two fingers. Spray the first section of the roof with quick detailer. Glide the clay across the area in a front to back motion applying some pressure. Work in 2x2 areas. If you feel your fingers going through the clay, then you are pushing too hard. If the clay is streaking on the paint, then you need more QD. While gliding, you should hear a slight noise and feel some resistance. This is the grit being lifted from the paint. When the resistance and noise stops, dry the QD off with a quality towel. Move onto the next 2x2 section and do the same thing. Once half the section is done, flip the clay over and do the other half of the section. Once the section has been completed throw the piece of clay away. It is too contaminated to use on another section. If you do use it, you will most likely put micro scratches in your clear.



Keep working your way down using each dedicated piece for its area. Flip the clay over when you have completed half a section. Throw the clay away when the section is done.



When complete your car should be as smooth as glass. The next steps should be to remove the swirls (if necessary), clean the paint, and seal in the rejuvenated finish with a wax or sealant.

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Bill :up
 
Patrick said:
Where in Ca are you ??
Click to expand...

Oceanside





Thank you for the replies. I suppose the only way that I will really have my questions answered is to actually USE the clay. Im not too concerned about using the clay, but what to do after ive used it.



I have seen some list the start of their process as being "Wash, Clay, Wash......" While other instructions I see list "wash, clay, buff each section (with a microfiber)...." Im wondering if I need to buf any residue from the QD or whatever off with a microfiber, or will just leaving any QD on the car untill im done and then just wash everything off.



I hope this makes sense.
 
dc,



Your question is one of personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer. I've found it to be easier to buff off my QD as I finish claying each section, while others will clay their entire car first and then re-wash it to remove the dried QD residue.



FWIW, I've tried both methods, and as mentioned I find that buffing the QD from each section is easier and takes less time.



YMMV.



Bill :up
 
You dont even need to rewash. If your using a quality clay that doesnt leave residue, just wipe the area clean while still wet, with a MF....Any polish will remove anyting the clay may leave behind as long as its lite. Its a no brainer....It will be necessary to polish and seal when your done claying, i hope thats part of your game plan.......
 
Wash with car wash soap & mitt, rinse soap away but keep car wet, clay entire car also using spray bottle water, rinse entire car down, DRY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO REWASH after CLAY. :)



Erik
 
dcswd- Doing one section at a time (from first claying to wiped off) lets you guage your progress/results. If you're doing something wrong, you want to know about it (so you can adjust your technique) ASAP. It's easier to see what's going on after you wipe the clayed panel clean and buff off any QD/clay residue/etc.



It seems the people who have trouble with their claying tend to do the whole car WITHOUT wiping it off and then they find the residue is troublesome, or they marred their paint. By the time they notice, they've done [whatever] to the whole car.
 
Thanks for the replies, the comment on being able to see my progress as I go along is very true. So ill be buffing with a MF.



I'll be using Mothers Clay, followed by probably... Swirl Mark Remover 2.0, and then NXT



Learning to use clay is my next step on the road to perfect car care :) ... after that comes the PC!
 
Thanks BillNorth. :bow Those are excellent instructions! Thanks for taking time to write them up.



dcswd, I do like BillNorth & Accumulator. The one difference is that after I clay, then wipe off with a MF, I give that section another spritz of my QD and buff it off. And, like they said, I have never needed to wash the car after claying. In fact, often, folks think I've already waxed when I've only finished claying. The shine is that good!



Mothers was my first clay too, and it was great. And I love the QD that comes in the kit. My own first, highly exuberant clay testimonial was here and -- as someone wisely noted there -- don't forget to clay the glass too.
 
yeah, I thought I should just get a kit for my first time. Once I have some experience, ill mix things up.
 
I use Spray and Wipe as the lub and when done with a section I give it another spritz of S&W and wipe it off with a ww mf. Perfectly clean to move on to SSR or polish.
 
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