When is the best time to use clay?

[97Boxsterian]

Should I use clay and lub after I washing my car but before drying it? OR I should use clay after washing and drying it, and then wash and dry it again? Please advice. Sorry for my stupid question! This is my first time detailing my car.

[Way2SSlow]

You`ll get many different answers on this question. I like to wash, dry, then clay. It just feels right to me to do it that way....PLUS, I do the clay in the garage, and I dont want to pull a soaking wet ride in my garage. After I clay, I use a waterless wash (in my case Poorboys Spray and wipe) to get the car ready to polish.

[Mikeyc]

I use QD to lube the clay. So, I dry the car off first. Then after I clay a panel I wipe the QD off with a MF. However, different people use clay in different ways.



Some people use wash water to lube the clay. So, they wash, clay, then dry.

[White95Max]

I also prefer to wash/dry the car and then clay. I prefer to do it that way because I don`t want any water spotting. Although any spots would be removed with a polish/cleaner on the next step. In the spring, I plan to try claying after the washing step of QEW, but before the drying step.

[imported_Neothin]

I actually like to wash the car and then with it still wet, spray QD onto the surface and then clay. Afterwards, I`ll dry. It saves me QDing the car after claying.

[97Boxsterian]

Thank you all for your responses :) By the way, what is QEW?

[imported_Neothin]

Quick and Easy Wash. Is a wash concentrate that only requires 1 ounce of product for 1 gallon of water. That one gallon can wash an entire car. A hose for rinsing is not necessary. Pretty nifty stuff for the people that deal with winters. They can wash their cars in the garage.

[3Dog]

I clay as I wash....example, I wash my hood, rinse, apply soap again and clay, then rinse.

[White95Max]

QEW = http://www.protectall.com/qelg.htm

[97Boxsterian]

Thanks for the QEW info :) I can wash my car more often with QEW. Definately will give it a try.