Claying PPF OK?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Do you need to clay it? Can you feel embedded contaminants in it with your hand? If so, you can definitely use clay. Just remember that clay is an abrasive. It scratches paint, so it can scratch PPF. I would use a fine grade clay with a lot of lubricant to avoid marring.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 554
From: Scottsdale AZ
Do you need to clay it? Can you feel embedded contaminants in it with your hand? If so, you can definitely use clay. Just remember that clay is an abrasive. It scratches paint, so it can scratch PPF. I would use a fine grade clay with a lot of lubricant to avoid marring.
Probably not. Getting ready to detail the car again and thought about it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 906
From: Tulum, MX
As Fyr stated, it can be both clayed and polished. If you clay, besides well lubricated fine clay, use very little pressure. As with the paint, you want to have the clay glide over it. I would first recommend a chemical decontamination before going to mechanical means to see if that does not suffice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Then definitely skip it. Much like not needing to polish the paint if there are no surface defects. Don't abrade the surface unless it is necessary. One of my cars is parked at home and at work outside all year round in Midwest weather. I still only clay the paint maybe once per year if chemical decontamination doesn't work first.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Melbourne, FL
Turtle Wax has a similar wheel cleaner that's paint safe and ph neutral.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2023
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Yes you can clay PPF but using a decontamination towel is not only easier but safer to use. Something like this: https://diydetail.com/products/fine-grade-clay-towel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
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From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Have clayed ceramic on PPF, didn’t really have a choice as chemical decon was ineffective. Lotsa lube, very fine bar of clay. Synthetic clay mitt/towel/disc in my hands marks up surface more than clay. Black car, moved slowly and lightly, turned out OK but would avoid if at all possible.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing ‘something’ but hadda give it a shot in this case.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing ‘something’ but hadda give it a shot in this case.