Can i clay while i wash parts of my car? soap i think is a good enough lub for the clay right? will clay take off the clear coat?

 

You can clay with the soap you're using, just make sure that you do a rinse before claying. Rinsing off all the dirt that you were washing with. Claying will remove the wax but will not harm the clear coat. Make sure you wax after claying

 

 

That's what I do. I wash the car like I normally would, but instead of drying the car, I used the same bucket with the soapy water and use that as the lubricant for the clay.

 

do i need to polish my new TL if there isn't that many marks on it after claying?

 

sorry im a little confuse on when to polish the car?

or do i even need to polish if the car is pretty new?

thanks all

 

You don't NEED to polish it. You can use some type of paint cleaner, nothing too abrasive as the car is still fairly new.

 

Keep in perspective.....Clay is an abrasive...I always recommend polishing after claying, as clay will micro mar the surface. Clay is a very productive product when used as directed. I dont fall prey to "having" to use a dedicated lube though. Like others, I simply use the clay with water while rinsing. Its not as slippery, but my belief is theres a fine lube when using a lube. If the surface is too slick, the clay isnt grabbing pollutants. Is the surface isnt slick enough, you stand the chance of leaving clay residue. Sometimes while claying, if I feel the surface is real dirty, and the clay is real grabby, I'll grab a handful of soapy water and toss it on the surface.

 

Claying is very important to your car's finish. It removes surface contaminants that if ignored, will cause irreparable damage. You CAN clay while you wash your car, but remember clay is an abrasive. It's safe on your finish, and an abrasive to the harmful particles in your paint. The whole reason for using a dedicated lubricant when you clay is to provide a super slick, slippery layer between the clay and your car's paint, to protect against minor sufrace marring. I love the Meguiar's Quik Clay system . Oh man, is this stuff good. the smell is AWESOME. I feel like a professional detailer every time I use it. The clay is very effective, and the results are incredible. This is definitely my favorite clay system. If you are going to clay while using soap, you still need a slippery layer in between the paint and the clay...you had better use a quality car wash . The synthetic lubricating oils are perfect for claying while washing. If I want to save time, I clay while washing. If I want to do a perfect job, I clay while using a dedicated clay lubricant. If you have more questions, check out how to clean with clay . Remember to use microfiber towels!!

 

A little soapy water will provide the exact benefit at better savings....Correct me if Im wrong, but Meguiars "dedicated" detail spray is actually there instant detailer also ??

 

Yep, Meg's "Quik Detailer" is also the lube for the one of the clay kits they sell. Same bottle, same label, they don't even hide that fact.

 

That's all any clay lube is....it's a quick detailer. There is no such thing as dedicated clay lube..it's a quick detailer in one form or another. With some quick detailers, (mainly Mothers) I find that it smears the clay. I have never had that problem with the Meguiar's stuff.

 

Thats what I was strying to figure out. Hence, dont fall for the marketing jargon, its only a detail spray anyway, which are great for quick cleanups....
Water or, water with a little soap will do the same thing....

 

Not really. A dedicated quick detailer/detailer spray will provide superior lubrication and surface slickness than a soap will. I would only use soap and water if I wanted to do my car quickly. Like I said before. If you want to take time and do it right, use a detailing spray. If you want to do it quickly and risk micro marring, then use car wash soap. It's all up to you.

 

If the lubricants in soap are made to suspend dirt particles, why would you think their not adequate for claying?