Wash after claying before polishing?

[FivePoint.0]

Anyone not wash their car after claying and went straight to polishing? Is it mandatory?

[TMD]

For us it all depends on how bad the vehicle was to start. If we spend a lot of time claying a poor vehicle, we'll give it a second wash for the peace of mind of knowing we're not going to mar the paint when we get to polishing. But if it's a clean vehicle we go straight into polishing.

You just gotta make sure there isn't anything on the paint that could induce any scratches once you start polishing.

Good Luck!

[Matt S.]

I usually either clay while washing (wash a panel, rinse, get soapy, clay, wash, rinse), or do it after I wash/dry the car and just wipe each panel down as I go. Depends on a few things, like how hot it is outside, how strong the sun is at that moment, my mood, what I ate for breakfast, etc.

If you're using a good lubricant or detail spray to clay with, I don't see any harm in wiping down each section as you move along. I'd much rather do this than leave the residue on the paint and have to wash it off afterwards.

[Rsurfer]

Originally Posted by 07 z-oh-6

Anyone not wash their car after claying and went straight to polishing? Is it mandatory?

Why would you need to wash after claying...didn't you wash before claying? Like Matt said, just wipe each panel as you go.

[DLB]

Wash ---> Clay wiping each panel as I go ---> Polish.

DLB

[FivePoint.0]

Originally Posted by Rsurfer

Why would you need to wash after claying...didn't you wash before claying? Like Matt said, just wipe each panel as you go.

Yes, I washed before claying. There's people out there who wash again to remove anything that may still be on the surface. I don't see any need for that, but I wanted to ask.

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

I just go over it with an IPA wipedown after claying and then get to polishing.

[HighEndDetail]

Originally Posted by matt@autogeek.net

I usually either clay while washing (wash a panel, rinse, get soapy, clay, wash, rinse)

I do this aot to save a little time during details

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by Rsurfer

Why would you need to wash after claying...didn't you wash before claying? Like Matt said, just wipe each panel as you go.

You don't need to wash and I suppose you could dry as you go. I always clay right after my initial wash while the car is still dripping wet. I feel it would take too long to clay>dry>clay>dry over and over. Many times when claying there is dirty residue left behind that I like rinsing off before the final drying process. I guess it boils down to whatever workflow that works best for each person.

[Impressions]

I wash a panel, with soap still dripping, I clay that panel than go over with soap than rinse. Rarely do I use CL