Clay bar
#2
Le Mans Master
Never. Clay bars remove contaminants but usually slightly mar the surface. I never clay unless I am planning on machine polishing afterwards.
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ZimC6 (05-19-2019)
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
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I have yes, I polish afterwards now, before waxing.
#6
Instructor
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.
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FYRARMS (05-16-2019)
#7
Racer
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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FYRARMS (05-16-2019)
#8
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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endus (05-16-2019)
#9
Le Mans Master
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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endus (05-16-2019)
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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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.