Cleaner then clay or clay then cleaner???

[michal101]

Hi All,

I have a 2000 Acura with decent white paint and I used a clay bar 2 months ago and really liked how it cleaned the painted surface and made the white really pop. Now my question; if I want to really clean my paint job do I use a cleaner like Meguiar's #1 and then use the clay bar or vice versa? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

[DARK HORSE]

Wash, then clay, then paint cleaner,

[dublifecrisis]

clay then cleaner. The idea here is to use the clay to lift embedded contaminents and grime off the paint before you apply a chemical/abrasive cleaner. The clay will remove things from the paint surface that could otherwise further damage the paint as you go buffing away with the paint cleaner/polish.

[Mike Phillips]

Ditto

First you remove the contaminants off the top of the surface and then you go for the below surface defects.

[michal101]

Ditto

First you remove the contaminants off the top of the surface and then you go for the below surface defects.

Thanks everybody for your answers!!! This is my first post and I accidentally came across this website about a week ago and it has been a great resource.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays, Mike

[HighEndDetail]

Wash, then clay, then paint cleaner,

Will you be machine polishing also.

[michal101]

Will you be machine polishing also.

Not right now...do not own any machine polishers yet. I am somewhat new to this and am not really sure what machine polishing can bring to the table without incurring a decent amount of money for the machine, pads different polishes etc!

Thanks though and why do you ask?

[Mike Phillips]

Remember, claying removes anything on the surface, this includes wax so after claying, at a minimum you have to apply a wax or paint sealant.

Same for any kind of compound, paint cleaner or polish....

[Lowprofile]

clay then cleaner. The idea here is to use the clay to lift embedded contaminents and grime off the paint before you apply a chemical/abrasive cleaner. The clay will remove things from the paint surface that could otherwise further damage the paint as you go buffing away with the paint cleaner/polish.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Clay is for surface contaminates, Pre-cleaner gets down into the micro-pores. If you reverse this your just gonna spread the surface contaminates all over the paint. OUCH

[sullysdetailing]

Clay first. The Clay will remove any thing that is contaminating your paint, like tree sap or fallout.

Where you looking to finish with Megs #1? Because Megs #1 is not a Paint Cleaner you can finish with. Most Paint Cleaners polish the vehicle remove minor imperfections and wax they vehicle at the same time.

Megs #1 is not a paint cleaner but a compound that finishes like a polish. So it is a 1-Step product that you will have to finish with an LSP.