Wifes car question

[subieoutback]

Hi all. My wifes car sits outside alot and also at the airport. It seems to get a lot of junk on the top. This spring we washed it and clayed it but there was so much stuff I went through a bar of clay just doing the hood, roof and deck lid, and this is on a 96 Saturn. My question is is there any kind of paint cleaner I could use between washing and claying that would help take some of this gunk off??

Thanks.

[akimel]

My guess is that the claybar is your best option. You may simply need to us it more frequently, given the contamination to which the vehicle is exposed. Clay the car as needed. After you wash the car, run your hand over the surface. If it feels bumpy and scratchy, then you know you should clay the car. If you catch the stuff early, it won't be such a big job each time.

You can (and perahaps should) supplement the claybar with a paint cleaner (e.g., Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+A3016)), but the two products really do accomplish different tasks. The paint cleaner will remove staining and embedded dirt; but the claybar will remove above surface bonded contaminants.

Also check out this article: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29505).