[benz rider]

Originally Posted by Nutdotnet

A couple things to Benz Rider-

One, please don't take what I say as offensive, as this is not my intent.

1. Why do you think claying before washing is ok? You want as clean of a surface as possible to limit the amount of contaminants that get transferred to the clay. One little pebble that gets into the clay can put some very nasty clearcoat scratches into the paintwork. I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't simply wash and then clay to better prevent swirls in the paint.

You will pick up contaminents whether you wash, rinse or not prior to using the clay bar. the clay id designed to "pick up" contaminents with it's sticky characteristics used in conjunction with the spray liquid that comes with the clay bar. that's why they tell you to continue to fold it over and "kneed" the clay to continue to have a fresh side of clay to work with. I'm not against washing or rinsing first before claying at all, I rinse off first regardless, but if the car is pretty clean to begin with I don't see the need for an all out washing. claying to me is for "spot duty". get the bug juice, tar, brake dust on lower panels, and other obvious things hanging off the paint. I don't use my clay bar like a towel and wipe down the whole car. that's petty because every inch of the car is not covered with 'sticky' contaminents. you mainly find these particles on the front end of the car, hood, front fenders, etc... that get the most wind and bugs.

2. You state that it is a waste to Polish and Wax everytime you wash, or detail, a car. Yes, I would agree with you. However, when you clay a car you remove the wax that may be on the paintwork. Hence, it needs to have a coat of wax put on again.

It doesn't need it, but people prefer it for a little more shine. a
super-shine on a car is great when you need it(out on the town, car show, blind date, parked and never driven, etc...), but not for everyday driving. unless you got the $$ to throw away on your ride every week. go for it. no argument there.

This is what I believe others are having a problem with. You keep saying that you don't Wax every time because it doesn't need it, and if you didn't clay the wax off then you'd be right, but you have, so it needs to be waxed.

I guess I'm a little confused. You say you've been detailing cars for a long time but you're make some very novice missteps.

Good luck to ya. I hope you take this advice, I think you'll be impressed about your increased quality of work.

I see. then I ask you to understand this, car polishes and wax have little to no UV protection. Any detailer worth his salt can tell you this. cars on average get washed at least once a week. washing off the acid rain particles alone "protects" your paint and the clearcoat. claying takes out the extra sticky dirt. I do everything other detailers do, I just don't do "as much" as they do, because my main objective is to get the paint clean, not shiny. although I will slather on the polish and wax IF the paint/clearcoat is just horrible. some prefer the polish everytime and I do those too. but I only polish/wax 4 times a year on my C280 and I make mine look as shiny if not shinier than the guys on here who polish/wax 10 times a month.

oh and you advice is good. I always liked learning. I hope you do too.