525iSE

I had my car clayed and waxed with a finishing coat today. I'm wondering wat does it mean to clay your car? Any bad effects? Abrasive if done often? Please let me know.

wannatesdr

clay your car is this mushi puddle of clay which helps remove any over spray or any debri in your paint. Claying should be done at least every six months or once a yr. Correct me if im wrong.

525iSE

My car's detailer, said that he'll clay my car everyweek for debri, because in thailand there's so much debri. After claying, he waxes my car with Mirror Glaze from meguiar, then he puts a finishing coat on it. It seems to be ok.

TexaZ3

Keep in mind that clay could be very abrasive, and claying every week is an overkill, and could damage your paint! Debris won't embed in your paint on a weekly basis. Once or twice a year is more than enough.

znod

Good combo.

525iSE

I'm perceiving it many different ways... can everyone agree that claying is abrasive?

Westcoast M5

Everything is abraisive... more or less. When you remove swirl marks with polish/compound you are essentially taking a micro thin layer of paint off the car. I agree with TexaZ3, one or twice a year for the clay.

PoleApart

Run your hand over the car when it's clean. If you feel little ingrained spots then that's what they clay is supposed to take out. My car is 1 year old, has been through an east european winter with salt and grit on the road and I don't think it needs a claying yet. A lot depends on how tough the acrylic lacquer top coat and on the E60 it seems very tough. On my Miata which is Classic Red and has no clear coat on top of the paint the grit really gets into the paint and that's when using a clay bar makes sense.

Once every 2 weeks is total overkill.

--

Przemek

exceldetail

Claying should be performed as part of your detailing routine, but shouldnt really be needed more then twice a yr. It is an abrasive, designed to remove contaminants from the cars painted surface. It can also be used on glass and wheels! I usually clay after summer, and after winter.