clay or not?

**Pete Marshe** · 04-17-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm getting ready to detail a very oxidized white van. Using a flex 3401. Is it best to wash, clay, pinnacle heavy swirl remover, seal/wax? Or should I skip the clay? Tx, Pete

**wisemonkey** · 04-17-2009, 10:33 AM

you should never skip clay unless the car has been clayed before remember clay clears all the containments from the paint if you don't you wont be doing much but adding more work and more swirl marks

**supercharged** · 04-17-2009, 10:37 AM

I don't skip claying process.

**spamlova** · 04-20-2009, 02:22 PM

I didn't clay one time before using my PC. Big mistake, got MAJOR marring from the contaminants. BIG lesson learned

**AudiTTman** · 04-20-2009, 08:55 PM

hahahhaha to be honest with ya, sometimes even the clay mares the paint up a bit, but really ,it just makes it that much more fun to remove. You get a better sense of accomplishment...i know i do hahaha.

**smokin' mark** · 04-20-2009, 09:32 PM

You can laugh at this if you want, but it works on highly contaminated finishes. Mix 2 tablespoons of Woolite per quart of distilled water. Use this as a clay lubricant. I've been chastised for suggesting such a thing and that's fine, but I've used it many times with great success. Soft enough not to ruin the clay bar, but strong enough to help emulsify the crap on the finish.

**AudiTTman** · 04-20-2009, 09:38 PM

hey im open to any tips, i like to hear stuff like that and actually, im going to try it!

**smokin' mark** · 04-20-2009, 10:06 PM

Adjust the Woolite from 1 tablespoon on up as strong as you want, 2 seems to work best for me. Like I said I've been dragged around the bend for even suggesting such a thing, but don't knock it until you've tried it. I clayed my girlfriend's 2002 Acura last weekend. Dude, you could hear the clay grind against the surface it was so bad. But after claying and some polish it looks outstanding.

**Rsurfer** · 04-20-2009, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by smokin' mark

Adjust the Woolite from 1 tablespoon on up as strong as you want, 2 seems to work best for me. Like I said I've been dragged around the bend for even suggesting such a thing, but don't knock it until you've tried it. I clayed my girlfriend's 2002 Acura last weekend. Dude, you could hear the clay grind against the surface it was so bad. But after claying and some polish it looks outstanding.

Were's the pictures. We all love pictures.