Do you wash the car after clay bar before polishing?

When you're finished claying your car, you may need to wash it to remove any lubricant film. If you plan to use a pre-wax cleaner polish, it will remove clay residue so there's no need to wash. Last but not least, after using clay, seal your freshly cleaned paint with your choice of wax or sealant.

Should I polish my car after Claying?

You don't have to polish afterwards but clay bars will mar the surface. You may not see or notice it but it is there. Depending on how fine a grade the clay is, you may have to do an intensive polish or just a one-step wax.

Do you clay bar before or after wash?

Claying should always come after a good wash. You want to get as much of the dirt out as possible, by scrubbing and brushing and scrubbing some more. Your choice of cleaning agent will also ensure that your vehicle is ready for the use of a clay bar.

Do you wax after clay bar?

The Short Answer. A wax or sealant should always be applied to the car after using a clay bar. The clay bar will remove any old protection so a wax or sealant needs to be applied to ensure the paintwork is protected to help keep it clean and free from contaminants and UV rays.

Can you use soapy water with clay bar?

I have used Mother`s and Clay Magic with soapy water as a lube without any problems. These two clays, IMO, are more of the "plastic-y" type of clays whereas the Griot`s clay is a bit more "doughy" if you will and have broken down even with their Speedshine quick detailer as their recommended lube.

POLISHING FOR BEGINNERS: Step 1- HOW TO PREP FOR POLISH - Chemical Guys

Is it necessary to clay bar before polishing?

tl dr: It isn't necessary, but it improves the quality of the polish/wax job. "Claying" (otherwise known as using a clay bar or detailing clay), is a means by which to remove contaminates from the finish of your vehicle which washing alone will not remove.

Do you dry car before clay bar?

Clay Bar Prep (Return to Top)

Before using a clay bar, your car should be washed and dried to remove a majority of contamination on your vehicle. The more contaminated the paint is the more likely imperfections can be added during the clay bar process.

Does clay bar damage clear coat?

A clay bar is an engineered, clay-like product that pulls contaminants like water spots, brake dust, metal dust, industrial pollution and road grit from your clear coat. When used with a clay lubricant, these contaminants come loose from your car and get stuck safely in the clay so they don't damage your clear coat.

How do you clean a car after a clay bar?

The most common process is to wash and dry the car, then after drying the car, clay the car section-by-section and after claying a section, while the surface is still wet with your clay lubricant, use a microfiber polishing cloth to wipe that section dry.

When can I wash my car after detailing?

First off, you want to make sure that you wipe down and vacuum the interior. This helps to keep dust from accumulating and keeps your car interior feeling clean and fresh. Secondly, wash the exterior every 2 weeks as well, so that your paint job and any alloys like your wheels are also shiny, clean, and looking good.

Will a clay bar remove water spots?

Typically a washing, white vinegar and water solution, or a clay bar will not remove the water marks, they only work when it's a light residue on the surface. Unfortunately many water marks actually lightly etch in to the surface and in these instances you'll need a stronger option.

What should I do after clay bar?

When Should You Use The Clay Bar? The detailer's rule of thumb is to always decontaminate the surface with a clay bar before putting on a new coat of wax, or polishing any exterior paintwork. Those foreign particles block wax from sticking to the paint, making it last for a shorter time and not shine as bright.

Do I need to polish after clay Mitt?

It's important to note that depending on how contaminated the surface was, polishing may be required after claying to help correct any micro-marring that may have occurred. If no micro-marring is present, then we suggest to add protection (wax and/or sealant) immediately after claying.

Can you clay bar glass?

It's perfectly safe to use a clay bar on your windshield. Clay bars are intended to be safely used on paint and glass is a surface that's much harder to scratch. There are times when a regular wash won't remove contaminants like bugs, overspray, and fallout. This is when a clay bar should be used.

Can you clay bar while washing car?

Yes, it saves a lot of time. Make sure you wash and rinse each panel first though so it's clean. Saves on clay lube too!

Can you clay bar in the sun?

Claying is sunlight isn't a problem. Just rinse more frequently. Better to remove contaminants before polishing.

How many times can you use a clay bar?

You can, therefore, clay bar it at least 2 to 3 times a year. But say you drive your car daily, maybe to work, or do groceries, then you can clay bar it as often as possible. Even if you do it at least thrice every six months, there's no problem.

Do I need to wash my car before polishing?

A car should be prepared before polishing or paint correction by washing thoroughly and removing any old waxes, sealants or coatings. The paint should then be decontaminated chemically, followed by claying, and finally rinsing and drying.

Do you compound after clay bar?

Yes, you will want to clay and perhaps decontaminate the paint with something like Car Pro Iron X before compounding. Main reason is you want to compound and polish paint that's free of any contaminants for obvious reasons.

In what order do you detail a car?

What lubricant can I use with a clay bar?

Most quick detailer products can provide enough lubrication for use with a clay bar. This is the most common type of lubrication method I see in the industry as most people already have a quick detailer handy in their supply.

Will a clay bar remove scratches?

A clay bar does NOT remove any scratches from the surface of the paint because it contains no abrasives. A clay bar is useful for when a car's paint feels rough and is no longer smooth to the touch as it can help restore that nice smooth feeling you once knew and loved.