From this new functional definition on how clay works means that this step can actually be eliminated by just adding a polishing step with a very mild paint cleanser?
I have always believed that claying had a "wet sanding" effect as one of its functions, but I also thought that clay also "extracted" embedded contaminates from the surface - reason for stickiness of clay. This new definition completely goes against my idea of how clay functions and the change in color hue improvement produced by claying. This is especially apparent when detailing light colors, especially white, and the hue difference after claying. Ever notice that most white vehicles have a silvery-grey tint to them. This the macro-visual presence of dark colored micro-contaminated that are almost impossible to remove by just washing and in most cases chemical cleansing and polishing.
Claying has been my answer for this problem with clearcoated paints.
By grinding down and not removing these embedded contaminates one would still have the visual impact of these contaminate presents "unless" the contaminated is completely ground away. What is the difference between claying and polishing if both result in the "same" amount of clearcoat removal for complete removal of contaminates? There must be an extraction component to claying.
I understand the need for different grades of clays, most professional paint shops carry such a selection, and the new ultra-fine just adds to this selection possibilities.
My questions are:
Why clay if polishing accomplishes the same end-point as conventional polishing (grinding way contaminates) and clearcoat loss?
If there is no extraction component, how does clay reach into the micro-valleys of a painted surface and polish / eliminate these embedded / hidden contaminates?
When should one clay if claying with a ultra-fine bar? Before or after a non-filling
final polish (blemishes and swirls have been eliminated by prior more aggressive polishes)?
If so, after final polished surface feels smooth (baggie test) is claying now an option only if smoothness is not produced by conventional final polishing?
Last point of discussion. If claying abrase away contaminates embedded in the CC, how is it possible to preserve the LSP even with a LSP preserving lube?
Old dog finding it difficult to grasp clay not
"extracting" particulates from the paint.
Thank you for producing another elite detailing tool to aid us in creating and preserving that "perfect shine".
