claying questions

WRXINXS

WRXINXS

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Hello,

Should I clay my car after I have dried it or after I have washed it while it is still wet? Also, I was looking at some of Mike Phillips claying videos and he says something about usually only the horizontal surfaces get the buildup and need to be clayed? Does this mean I do not need to do the sides?

Thanks,
Drew
 
All surfaces can get surface bound containment's but the horizontals usually get more. The baggie test is the best way to find out how bad each panel is. You don't have to dry after wash to clay since it is going to get wet anyway just be sure to use plenty of clay lube either way.
 
I would say, if your car NEVER EVER left the garage, then you wouldn't need to clay the car. If you're going to want nice uniformed car, you should clay the entire vehicle. If you're going to start on something...see it through. You'll be surprised at how much contaminants you pull of the car.

Also...with it just being "wet," this isn't sufficient for the lubricity of the paint. You'll need a QD or some other form of clay lube. I used ONR the last time I clayed a vehicle and it worked great.

Keep in mind the you may get slight marring when claying your car so you should definitely polish the car when you're done with claying.
 
Dry your car then clay. I wouldn't want any water or soap drying on my car. My horizontal panels ie. Roof, trunk lid, tops of fenders, hood get way worse then the vertical panels. My routine is to clay my entire car vertical panels included about every 6 months. And I clay the horizontal panels about every other month. When you clay your front bumper you'll be amazed how much stuff comes off and really brings back the shine. My car is never garaged and I drive about 5000 miles a month so contaminates tend to build up fairly quirky. So I usually don't have to do the biggie test because I can feel it pretty easily. But if your ever unsure is your need to clay or not, just stick your hand in a baggie and feel the paint. You will easily be able to feel if you need to or not.

Sent from my DROID Pro using Tapatalk
 
So, really, I guess you can't clay it while it is still wet from the car wash? (It would be cool if you could, because this would allow you to rinse the whole thing off again when you were done claying).
 
By the time you were done, most of the water would have dried anyway leaving water spots. My biggest concern would be the water diluting the viscosity of the clay lube. Water does NOT work as a lube. And what your using as a clay lube is one of the major factors that effects if the clay will marr you finish IMO
 
shoeless89 said:
By the time you were done, most of the water would have dried anyway leaving water spots. My biggest concern would be the water diluting the viscosity of the clay lube. Water does NOT work as a lube. And what your using as a clay lube is one of the major factors that effects if the clay will marr you finish IMO
Click to expand...

Not to be contrary, as I agree that for most clays a lube is recommended, but there are some clays that need only water as a lube - the best known one is Bilt Hamber clay, which is what I use. Not really too relevant, as you can't get this type of clay in the US, but just thought I'd throw that out, particularly for other international forum members :)
 
Il be honest, if The car is not in the sun, and it is cool out I do not dry the car before I clay. Still use lube. Just not nearly as much.
 
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