Yes, claying is good - but what is the next best thing to do to decontaminate the paint/clear coat before polishing your car, or do you think something is even better than claying? It could be a technique or a product.

Do you sometimes, often or always use this/do this instead of claying, and if yes - why?

What is your opinion on this?

Edited 1 June, 201313 yr by Kent (DK)

Megs do a paint cleaner as part of their 3 step products. I used this before I discovered claying and it seemed to do a good job. That said I'm thoroughly sold on the clay. Just seems better somehow. Maybe it's just that you can see all the dirt and grime coming off on the clay.

Okay. The thing is - my car is new and the clear coat is still fine, very few scratches, but it is quite contaminated. I want to clean the surface without making more scratches, and I have heard from both amateur- and proff. detailers, that claying is likely to make small scratches. That is okay if you want to do a full polish afterwards, but in this case my plan is to only use an AIO product with only very mild abrasives. So in other words - I don't want to introduce new scratches to the surface that my AIO product can't remove.

The AIO is Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant - and after that I'll top up with wax.

Edited 2 June, 201313 yr by Kent (DK)

Yes...AIO or a dedicated paint cleanser..... Dodo Juice Lime Prime is one

Yes...AIO or a dedicated paint cleanser..... Dodo Juice Lime Prime is one

I assume Bilt Hamber Cleaner fluid takes every thing off down to the top coat.

bilthamber.com

i think theres a product by car pro that is a iron contaminant remover and a tar remover in one product that might be something for you to have a look at.

i think theres a product by car pro that is a iron contaminant remover and a tar remover in one product that might be something for you to have a look at.

Is it Iron X?

Edited 3 June, 201313 yr by Kent (DK)

i think theres a product by car pro that is a iron contaminant remover and a tar remover in one product that might be something for you to have a look at.

CarPro Trix..

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/carpro-trix-iron-and-tar-remover/prod_1033.html

This a combined iron and tar remover but this is not a replacement for claying..just part of the decontamination process

You will still need to condition the paintwork with a paint cleanser and alcohol (IPA) to remove all traces of any product.

This will give you the best base for sealer and/or wax

I recently prepared my wifes new car, I used a very mild clay, wasnt too aggresive, and that was after a proper decon, wash, tar, iron etc then a quick wipe over with the clay revealed a few odds and sods that came off but not much at all, just used with a very silky shampoo/water solution to minimize any marring, upon checking afterwards the clay had done its job and left the car around 98% free from clay marks, a quick once over afterwards with a light polish and all was good, sealed up afterwards job was a good un.

Autosmart Tardis for tar, and Iron-X for metal contaminants. I used both for the first time tonight and hardly needed any effort / energy for claying afterwards. All contaminants appeared to just "run off"

Autosmart Tardis for tar, and Iron-X for metal contaminants. I used both for the first time tonight and hardly needed any effort / energy for claying afterwards. All contaminants appeared to just "run off"

So you sprayed Iron X over the entire car? So you didn't clay or..?

Zymol or Zaino paint cleaners are very good.

Agree with Zymol.HD Cleanser is very good as a base for wax.

I havent used Zaino

Im Hooked On Zaino! But Always use Tardis Then Fallout Remover First Then just a light Clay is needed!

Thank you all for the suggestions . It's good reading!

Edited 14 June, 201312 yr by Kent (DK)

And the Zymol cleaner smells like chocolate pudding!!

So you sprayed Iron X over the entire car? So you didn't clay or..?

 

Bit late, but yes.  And when you wash off it foams up like a soap so adds a bit more cleaning power.  I still clay after, but it perhaps takes 20% of the time it would do before - simply because the ironX and tardis have already removed most of the contaminants in advance.  Claying merely becomes a check, rather than a necessity.

Bit late, but yes.  And when you wash off it foams up like a soap so adds a bit more cleaning power.  I still clay after, but it perhaps takes 20% of the time it would do before - simply because the ironX and tardis have already removed most of the contaminants in advance.  Claying merely becomes a check, rather than a necessity.

Late but not too late . Thanks.