Clay bar
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 19
From: Mad. Heights Michigan
My order of operations is this:
Wash
Clay
Wash
Polish - depending on swirls might need 2 different polishes
Then either finish with a wax or do a sealant
If you did a sealant then finish that with a wax.
Wash
Clay
Wash
Polish - depending on swirls might need 2 different polishes
Then either finish with a wax or do a sealant
If you did a sealant then finish that with a wax.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 369
Likes: 185
From: Live Free or Die
Apparently an incredibly controversial opinion (which is hilarious to me) but I only clay areas which require it. Great to remove surface contaminates like tar, not something I would ever do blindly to the whole car. Polishing is better and safer and far, far more worth your time.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 5
Apparently an incredibly controversial opinion (which is hilarious to me) but I only clay areas which require it. Great to remove surface contaminates like tar, not something I would ever do blindly to the whole car. Polishing is better and safer and far, far more worth your time.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Apparently an incredibly controversial opinion (which is hilarious to me) but I only clay areas which require it. Great to remove surface contaminates like tar, not something I would ever do blindly to the whole car. Polishing is better and safer and far, far more worth your time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Sometimes, just iron/tar remover is all that you need, not the clay. Feel the paint.
Now to prep for a coating and the correct prep for a full detail, only the last step changes. Wash, clay, iron/tar removal sprays, machine polish with Jescar Compound and/or Finishing Polish, then you can either wax, seal, or ceramic coat.
Wax every 2-3 months and you may not need the clay done in a year's time. Ceramics last years so I'll go years before I'll do this process over again.