Wash after clay

[ACE]

Do most of you wash the car again after you clay, or do you just start your polish routine? It would seem to me that it would probably be a good idea to rewash just to get any crud off, as well as all that lubricant, which could cause bonding problems with certain products used after. BTW- I was practicing with some clay on my black 1989 Mazda and it made an amazing difference. The finish felt like it was compounded. Probably not a bad idea to practice on a station car before you try it on your new ride anyway!

[02 LTZ]

Hey there ACE,

I usually don`t wash after I clay...

I use a solution of car wash soap & water so that way, all I have to do is rinse the soap off after I am finished with each panel.

This saves alot of time...I don`t believe there is a reason to wash after claying, IMO.

[ACE]

An interesting thought- after you wash your car, do you think it would work if you just resoaped a panel and clayed, rather than dry and then use clay with a QD spray? That would seem to save quite a bit of time and wash off any clay residue as well.

[wayne]

I used to wash after claying, but I have the same routine as 02 LTZ, almost...,
I clay, using Zaino Z-7 as a base for the clay lube. after claying, I use Meguiars final inspection to wipe the car down to remove any traces of clay.
I then go to buffing or whatever the "next step" needs
At one time I would rather buff or wax the car than wash it..., don`t ask why, I have no Idea, I have always hated washing the cars...,
don`t mind it near as nuch now that I have found an easier and faster way to wash and dry

[EBPcivicsi]

Originally posted by ACE
An interesting thought- after you wash your car, do you think it would work if you just resoaped a panel and clayed, rather than dry and then use clay with a QD spray? That would seem to save quite a bit of time and wash off any clay residue as well.

That`s what I do! Saves a lot of time! Be careful though, mix another bucket of suds for this and go HEAVY on the soap. This will help lubricate the clay.

[Don]

Typically a polishing follows claying, so a wash isn`t really required. Too if you happen to have clay resudue on the paint, a wash generally won`t easily remove it, but polishing will.

I think it ends up beng a choice of personal preference.

[ashsarna]

I usually do not have to wash after I clay (I do what ACE suggests with a qd). In case you want to be sure the surface is clean, I use Poorboy s&w (it is faster than washing and leaves the car clean in minutes).

[MattS]

I wash after clay. I clay with QD or other spray for lube and let it dry on the car (rather not stop the flow.) Then I wash again quickly . Advantage for me is it gets the car real clean before any other steps and makes sure I do not miss a spot. The second wash never takes very long as the car is pretty clean by then.

-Matt

[Tassadar]

I wash again after I clay as well. I have found that this is usually best, especially if the car was very dirty, because the ammount of residue can be ungodly.