Clay and cut

[phrosyn]

How i understand this process is that any cut will take off a small amount of clear coat and logic tells me that it should also remove anything above the clear coat. Is there any point claying before cutting? (unless it badly needs it and the cut will just make some massive swirl marks all over)

[rousher99]

i was once told that you clay if its needed regardless if your machine polishing. because it uses the contaminants as extra abrasives.

[charliehaley]

I would always clay. It is a quick and easy step to me sure that no contaminants can be trapped between the pad and paint and cause more marring.

[67Customs]

I would always clay. It is a quick and easy step to me sure that no contaminants can be trapped between the pad and paint and cause more marring.
This is exactly what I was going to say. If you want perfection, you just want the polish working on the paint surface with no extra contaminants to be found.