do you use detailing clay every wash? - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

M3Mikey · 04-29-2008, 08:42 PM

do you use detailing clay everytime you wash your car?

GregW / Oregon · 04-29-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Mikey

do you use detailing clay everytime you wash your car?

That's a little overkill, IMO. I use it before I wax, which is about 3X/year. The idea of clay is to remove stuff adhered to the paint like asphalt specks, etc. It's critical to get it off before waxing, but if you wash every week there is not going to be much accumulation in that amount of time.

Eclipsis · 04-29-2008, 09:50 PM

DO NOT use a clay bar each time you wash. Only do it when you need to remove wax/sealants or if there's excessive pollution on your car.

kyoshozx · 04-30-2008, 01:04 AM

I usually clay once a year, or after I wash the car I run my hand across the paint, if it's smooth as glass then it's fine. If I feel it has little grits on it, then I'll clay it. If you keep your car in a garage then definately claying every time you was is an overkill.

!Xoible · 04-30-2008, 01:18 AM

hell no...

Takumi587 · 05-05-2008, 07:17 PM

Yes, do not clay your car every wash! Bad idea. Remember that clay is an abrasive and it does leave either swirl or marring on the vehicle, especially if not done properly. I usually clay every 4 months and wax once a month. To wash the dirt off the vehicle each week I use my mineral free, de-ionized water(perfect if you have hard water in your area). And wipe off with a waffle weave MF.

Davinhci · 05-06-2008, 12:34 AM

that would be way too much work

04-29-2008, 08:42 PM	#1
M3Mikey Private First Class Drives: Jet Black E92 M3 Fox Red Inter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 116 iTrader: (0)	do you use detailing clay every wash? do you use detailing clay everytime you wash your car? __________________ Jet Black with Fox Red ext. Interior

05-06-2008, 12:34 AM	#7
Davinhci Colonel Drives: 2008 AW M3 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,373 iTrader: (0) View Davinhci's Garage	that would be way too much work __________________ 08 E92 AW M3 \| Breyton GTS Race 19's \| APE Air Filter \| Premium \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Premium Sound \| F1 Pinnacle Tint \| V1 Hardwire \| Dinan Performance Software \| Gintani Exhaust \| H&R Sports Springs \| H&R Spacers \| RPI Scoops

04-29-2008, 09:50 PM	#3
Eclipsis Colonel Drives: 2008 M5, 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA Posts: 2,000 iTrader: (6)	DO NOT use a clay bar each time you wash. Only do it when you need to remove wax/sealants or if there's excessive pollution on your car.

04-30-2008, 01:04 AM	#4
kyoshozx Private First Class Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 183 iTrader: (1)	I usually clay once a year, or after I wash the car I run my hand across the paint, if it's smooth as glass then it's fine. If I feel it has little grits on it, then I'll clay it. If you keep your car in a garage then definately claying every time you was is an overkill.

04-30-2008, 01:18 AM	#5
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	hell no...

05-05-2008, 07:17 PM	#6
Takumi587 M3 Enthusiast Drives: BMW M3, 330Ci, 528i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Irvine Posts: 506 iTrader: (0) View Takumi587's Garage	Yes, do not clay your car every wash! Bad idea. Remember that clay is an abrasive and it does leave either swirl or marring on the vehicle, especially if not done properly. I usually clay every 4 months and wax once a month. To wash the dirt off the vehicle each week I use my mineral free, de-ionized water(perfect if you have hard water in your area). And wipe off with a waffle weave MF.