Time to clay?

[audiboy]

Originally Posted by PEI Detail

I just don't see the need to wash again.

Neither do I. As long as you wipe up the majority of the excess spray the polishing will take care of the rest.

[HondaMan]

Originally Posted by Elmacho

I have never used a clay bar on my current car or any previous cars, only because I never knew about it. Anyway, I just bought a brand new car and have had it for a week. I just washed it, polished it, then waxed it today. My question is, since it's a new car is it necessary to use a clay bar on it yet? And if not, how long would you wait until you clayed a new car?

You COULD clay the car -- but yeah, if time and effort are important, then you could get away with it. If you've been driving it only a few weeks, very little grime/particles should be in the paint and clearcoat.

But seal it up right away. The longer you go, the more you want to clay the car.

Remember: claying a new car is pretty easy. You're not gonna pick up lots of dirt and tar. When I clayed my car when it was new, took like 30 minutes, tops. Today, it takes me well over an hour.

In short, it's not NECESSARY but it won't hurt. But the important thing is to get some sealant layers on the car.

Also, if you use KLASSE AIO that would do alot of the cleaning action that claying would do. So use AIO if you don't clay.

[budman3]

Originally Posted by HondaMan

In short, it's not NECESSARY but it won't hurt. But the important thing is to get some sealant layers on the car.

Also, if you use KLASSE AIO that would do alot of the cleaning action that claying would do. So use AIO if you don't clay.

I disagree with these 2 statements. Claying a new car is very important so the 'stuff' on the paint from rail dust and etc. needs to come off before it causes damage to the paint.

I don't think that any product, other than clay, does the same cleaning action of it. AIO won't pick up the contaniments that will damage the paint in the future. I clay everything that I work on, regardless if they want me to because it leaves the paint smooth and clean.

[JaredPointer]

Originally Posted by budman3

I clay everything that I work on, regardless if they want me to because it leaves the paint smooth and clean.

Agreed. For the short time it takes and the minimal amount of effort involved, I wouldn't skip it.

[FreeBIZZ]

Originally Posted by JaredPointer

Agreed. For the short time it takes and the minimal amount of effort involved, I wouldn't skip it.

I'll be doing my first clay job on my 5 week old VW GTI-Red-----it's sounds like it's well worth it, even though the paint "looks" pristine. I'm not gonna skimp to save an hour. I haven't decided if I'm going to use Klasse AIO after the clay, or PB PWC Blue. Same for the sealant----can't decide if I'll use Klasse sealant or PB EX.

[budman3]

Originally Posted by FreeBIZZ

I'll be doing my first clay job on my 5 week old VW GTI-Red-----it's sounds like it's well worth it, even though the paint "looks" pristine. I'm not gonna skimp to save an hour. I haven't decided if I'm going to use Klasse AIO after the clay, or PB PWC Blue. Same for the sealant----can't decide if I'll use Klasse sealant or PB EX.

I think a misconception with clay is that you probably won't SEE a difference. Sure there are some small black marks on the paint that will be removed but claying makes the paint surface smooth and it is hard to SEE smooth paint . Run the back of your hand on the paint before you clay and then do it after, the results will be very noticable.

[JaredPointer]

Originally Posted by budman3

I think a misconception with clay is that you probably won't SEE a difference. Sure there are some small black marks on the paint that will be removed but claying makes the paint surface smooth and it is hard to SEE smooth paint . Run the back of your hand on the paint before you clay and then do it after, the results will be very noticable.

He done broke out the smart on us.


Seriously budman, good post.

[HondaMan]

Originally Posted by budman3

I think a misconception with clay is that you probably won't SEE a difference. Sure there are some small black marks on the paint that will be removed but claying makes the paint surface smooth and it is hard to SEE smooth paint . Run the back of your hand on the paint before you clay and then do it after, the results will be very noticable.

That's true, but again, I'm assuming time was precious and he asked if he could get away with it. I said YES, but didn't say there were no lost benefits.

[hook]

Run the back of your hand on the paint before you clay and then do it after, the results will be very noticable.

And if you *really* want to feel a difference, put your fingers in a plastic baggie. It makes it easier to feel the small bumps or grit in the paint - feels kind of like grains of sand stuck to the paint. Once you've clayed a small section, do it again and you'll feel it's completely smooth.

I use the baggie on my fingers to spot check my car after I've washed/dried it to see if I need to clay following the next wash....

Andrew