Clay Question

[gmitch23]

Once a car has been clayed cleaned and polished and waxed maint etc.. Once its time to clay again, is it even worth my time to clay the vertical panels? Hope this isnt a loaded question.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Clay Question

Once a car has been clayed cleaned and polished and waxed maint etc.. Once its time to clay again, is it even worth my time to clay the vertical panels? Hope this isnt a loaded question.

I would, particularly the lower portions of the vertical panels (road tar etc).
If there isn't much to clay it's not going to take much time and your clay isn't going to get any dirtier, so why not. You may be picking up things that you can't see or feel.

[gmitch23]

Re: Clay Question

Ok, good point, thanks.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Clay Question

I've tried to skip claying vertical panels. But after feeling how smooth the horizontal panels become after claying, I've never been able to exclude the vertical panels!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Clay Question

While it is very common for the horizontal surfaces to start showing the need for claying sooner than vertical panels will, Bill makes an excellent point about those lower areas.

But the bottom line is, evaluate the finish after every wash and make you determination from there. This goes for both claying and paint cleaning - evaluate and then do what you deem necessary.

[JoeDirt]

Re: Clay Question

Rail dust, etc. also likes to stick very well to said vertical panels.

[k3ith]

Re: Clay Question

It seems to me that if you are using Clay you are going to be applying polish / wax next. So only using clay on the horizontals could produce a different level of shine and, especially, reflection than on the verticals. In addition, in my experience people evaluate the job by looking at the side and running their palm across the side panels. Also, your verticals would be on a different cycle than your horizontals. I say clay all or none and, since clay is the miracle tool, clay all.

[dvtldav]

Re: Clay Question

This week I clayed the lower panels (from the door moldings down) and they were filthy with tar from the summer construction on the local roads. I did a couple of places on the upper panels & horizontal surfaces and could tell no difference so I let them go since I had just clayed them this past spring. I would say try the baggie on the hand wipe trick and see how it feels.

Dave

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Clay Question

I would clay the entire car. Horizontal, vertical, and the glass. It seems a lot of people overlook claying the glass.

[Tuck91]

Re: Clay Question

A daily driver parked outside 24/7 should be clayed every two months IMO.

[gmitch23]

Re: Clay Question

A daily driver parked outside 24/7 should be clayed every two months IMO.

Great point, i was asking about my daily driver.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Clay Question



How much time do you have?

Are you a true auto detailer, are you a perfectionist?

[JoeDirt]

Re: Clay Question

I would clay the entire car. Horizontal, vertical, and the glass. It seems a lot of people overlook claying the glass.

Very true- it's amazing the amount of crud that comes off seemingly clean glass...