Should you always clay?

[Brouse]

Im gearing up for a post-winter spruce up and whilst washing the car earlier I was thinking "hey this paint looks pretty decent know I think about it"

I ran my hand in a nitrile glove over a few places and it was still super smooth, that said it is a tiny bit grabby' when drying using a top up wax/detailer spray.

Last detail was June last year, so my question is should you always clay regardless or use your judgement? Just curious.

 

[SiJar]

I normally clay about every 6 months.

 

[BTM1988]

Use judgement. Clay is a harsh abbrasive in that what you're removing from the paint still ever so slightly gets driven back into the paint again. So should mean machine polishing afterwards If you feel that the paint is rough, then use it. If still smooth then don't. Try and remove tar spots with tar and glue remover before going at it with clay.

 

[Confused®]

I use these a couple of times a year, does a great job and much faster than a clay bar.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clay-Mit...4416bb7254053b108077|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

 

[Brouse]

Cheers for the advice folks

 

[enuff_zed]

If you always clay, then you will have to always apply all the polishes and waxes again.
I have found that I can feel small areas that may need an interim clay. Mostly this seems to be behind the wheels, which I guess is due to small particles of brake pad residue?
So I just address those small areas: using a clay mitt which is much easier I find; then give it a really thorough going over once a year or so.

 

[ph001]

On my monaco blue, I've always found that claying leaves horrendous marks that must be polished out afterwards. This was never the case on my silver grey M3 so the colour of your car must play a big part. Maybe I just need to use a softer compound but I've always found that something like panel wipe does just a good a job at removing contaminants and you don't need a 4hr polishing session afterwards!

 

[inkey$]

On my monaco blue, I've always found that claying leaves horrendous marks that must be polished out afterwards. This was never the case on my silver grey M3 so the colour of your car must play a big part. Maybe I just need to use a softer compound but I've always found that something like panel wipe does just a good a job at removing contaminants and you don't need a 4hr polishing session afterwards!

Glad I read this as I was planning a clay session on my Monaco Blue coupe soon! Which panel wipes would you recommend?

 

[ph001]

I use the gtechniq stuff but other brands probably just as good.... https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/products/gtechniq-pw-panel-wipe

Of course it will take all your waxes and sealants off too so important to reprotect afterwards.

I’m trying not to be too negative about claying as there are many advocates of it in here. Just that for me it’s always been more hassle than it’s worth on my colour car. I was actually quite a fan of it on my M3.

 

[enuff_zed]

I use the gtechniq stuff but other brands probably just as good.... https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/products/gtechniq-pw-panel-wipe

Of course it will take all your waxes and sealants off too so important to reprotect afterwards.

I’m trying not to be too negative about claying as there are many advocates of it in here. Just that for me it’s always been more hassle than it’s worth on my colour car. I was actually quite a fan of it on my M3.

For the record, clay mitts work perfectly well on Sterling Grey, Valencia Orange, Melbourne Red (335d) and Misano Blue (120d), so far............

.............apart from the day I tripped over the bucket, put my hand out to steady myself and had to spend 20 minutes removing the streak of clay from the wing of the 335d. :roll: