claying a car

I was just wondering in order to clay a car do i wash it first then clay it and then wash it again or do i just wash it and then caly?

Here's a link to some instructions:http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html, but to answer your question, wash the car before and after.

I've never had to wash a car after claying. I wash the car, leave it wet, clay with rinse water, then rinse one final time after claying. You need clay that can be used with water, some can only be used with clay lube.

a substitute to clay lube is any detail spray. i usually dry my car off completely. and spray detail spray in the area, then clay it. then dry the area.

I heard that F21 wax made by turtlewax is good, any of you tried it?

I actually bought F21 wax and it works pretty good. I'd recommend it. Anybody have the same results?

Well the best way to do it is to wash your car in fallout soap, which has a slight bit of acid in it, then rrinse the vehicle off and if that doesnt get most of it then clay bar it while its wet.....If the car is dry use showroom shine to wet the area then clay away....thats the best way

You can use soapy water as a clay lubricant, just make sure you don't leave the clay bar in one place for too long otherwise you have to clay off the residual clay.

Here's a link to some instructions:http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html, but to answer your question, wash the car before and after.
that's a great link! I knew nothing about claying before reading that.
Would this be a correct order?....

1. wash
2. cleaner wax
3. lube
4. clay bar
5. rinse
6. detail spray/wax

....did I leave anything out?


I don't wash my vehicle often, because I get a lot of dust where I live. Usually I'll just keep it clean by removing any dust with a microfiber towel before waxing. Then I spray a section with water and apply wax or detail spray. Is there anything to know about claying in dusty conditions? I remove dust before waxing, but will [dust] have any detrimental effects on a freshly-clayed vehicle? Just wondering if the vehicle should be kept in a dust free area for a while after being clayed.

that's a great link! I knew nothing about claying before reading that.
Would this be a correct order?....

1. wash
2. cleaner wax
3. lube
4. clay bar
5. rinse
6. detail spray/wax

....did I leave anything out?


I don't wash my vehicle often, because I get a lot of dust where I live. Usually I'll just keep it clean by removing any dust with a microfiber towel before waxing. Then I spray a section with water and apply wax or detail spray. Is there anything to know about claying in dusty conditions? I remove dust before waxing, but will [dust] have any detrimental effects on a freshly-clayed vehicle? Just wondering if the vehicle should be kept in a dust free area for a while after being clayed.

When you wash, clay and wax, you want to be in a relatively dust-free environment or you risk marring and/or compromising your finish.

In one session, you want to:

1. wash, rinse & dry
2. detail the trim
3. clay with lube
4. wax (cleaner wax or whatever cleaner/polish/wax routine you normally use).
5. finish the detail by buffing the trim, cleaning the glass and touching-up the freshly waxed surface with a detailer.

Here's a brief video...
http://www.mothers.com/reelworld/mothersclay.html

Check out the Mothers Detail Guide for general tips (you can print it out so it's handy)...
http://www.detailguide.com

I watched a few videos to get the general idea then bought Mother's clay bar kit and tried it today for the first time. I must say that it took quite a bit longer than I had expected. I spent 2 hours washing/drying, claying, waxing, etc. However it was time well spent. I didn't have any residue that looked like what the videos showed, but I did have something on the clay after use (as seen in this photo): http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p278/georgew84/100_3923.jpg

For the record, I put a towel on the ground below the section I was claying (to keep from ruining the clay). I clayed a section, wiped it off, then waxed.

The only place on the car that pulled any noticeable debris was on the rear quarter panels behind the tires and on the rocker panels. Looks like road tar. I did also notice that the wax went on smoother after claying. Having learned how long it can take to clay and wax a car, I may not do it as often as I originally thought I would. I thought I would do it every other month, but I'll probably just do it 3 or 4 times a year. Only reason I want to do it so much is because I live in the midwest where we have a lot of balmy summers and nasty winters. Plus there is a lot road construction this summer and I live in the country in dusty conditions.

Here's a pic of the luminator after a clay and wax...
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p278/georgew84/100_3924.jpg

The more often you do it, you can get a routine down pretty easy with practice. I'll clay and wax or paint seal a car in about 40 minutes at work these days. That black stuff in your clay bar is the junk it pulled out of the paint, but you should also notice your car's paint feel much smoother. Just fold the clay bar over on itself for next time you clay or if it gets too dirty, just toss it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften it up and work it for a bit. I know what you mean though, living in Wisconsin, I clay and paint seal my car every 2-3 weeks though