Clay doesn't remove wax/sealant coats....does it?

[Klasse Act]

So I've been using ONR for quite some time now, mild winter allowed me to do so, and all along I've been feeling the paint and it has been smooth to the touch, so the combo of all the coats of Zaino, touch-free washes when it was too cold for ONR and finally the use of ONR have kept my paint in great shape. Recently I aquired Black Fire Crystal Seal and wet diamond all paint sealant and used them with much glee! Today I decided to run the car through my favorite touch-free wash and just happened to check out the paint, well, its got a little grit in it, I rubbed it and put my ear near it and could hear it, I was kinda surprised and I guess this "creeped up on me", so I decided to clay the car and afterwards applied another coat of BFCS on the paint.

So my question to you guys is this, does a regular clay of average strength remove any layers of protection? FWIW, I used a straight quick detailer as lube too, nothing watered down. I have learned to not assume the paint is always going to be clean even though I stay ontop of my car, I guess this pollen season has been pretty strong!

[brian45acp]

clay removes everything.

I also use Zaino and love the stuff so far. Dont waste the detailer for clay mix water and car a cap of car wash soap in a spray bottle.

[Mobile detail]

Ya it will remove wax., more all of it but out definitely removes some if not most.,I usually won't clay unless I'm going to polish because I've never been able to not induce marring or swirls. I use Automagic clay magic blue. Someone I'll use red and that will def remove wax and cause swirls

[01GreyStangGT]

clay removes everything.

I also use Zaino and love the stuff so far. Dont waste the detailer for clay mix water and car a cap of car wash soap in a spray bottle.

I agree about the clay removing everything.

[Capa1970]

Doesn't it depend on the clay, whether it will remove wax and sealant? Sure, a lot do, but I would assume that the more gentle and soft ones wouldn't without a lot of effort.

[ralliartjuggalo]

the clay will and most likely so will the touch free car wash with the harsh chemicals that allow it to be touch free

[Kaban]

heard this argument go both ways many times. I just wax or seal after claying anyway otherwise I don't even bother with the clay bar.Don't you want to seal your smooth paint surface after clay bar anyway?

[Klasse Act]

I just thought of something, if clay really does remove everything (not doubting any of you here) then why does a percentage of people out there insist on using Dawn to strip their cars finish down to nothing AND seemingly damage their clearcoats in the process? I know this has surely been debating to death here over the years and I for one will NEVER EVER use Dawn on anything other than dishes, that's what its made for....takes grease out of your way, strong enough for that, so I can't imagine for the life of me why anyone would use something so strong on their clearcoats. I see people post here about using Dawn every spring to strip/prep their car for a full detail after winter when there's actual products out there that not only do this but will also not harm your clearcoat, its got a hard enough job to do, why weaken it by kicking it in the nuts everytime you wash with Dawn?!

[Klasse Act]

heard this argument go both ways many times. I just wax or seal after claying anyway otherwise I don't even bother with the clay bar.Don't you want to seal your smooth paint surface after clay bar anyway?

Oh I did for sure, probably will apply another coat of BF Wet Diamond tomorrow and then re-seal it with BFCS again

[Rsurfer]

clay removes everything.

I also use Zaino and love the stuff so far. Dont waste the detailer for clay mix water and car a cap of car wash soap in a spray bottle.

Clay removes Zaino?