wash again after clay bar?

[Mr.Jenkins]

I have tried to search for my answer with no luck but do I need to wash the car again after using a clay bar (with detailing spray as my lubricant) before waxing? Thanks.

[glen e]

I never have, as I`m always going to polish....too many people think it`s CLAY AND WAX.....and they are missing the most important step of all: Creation of the reflective surface with polish....

[Mr.Jenkins]

Thanks,Its pretty much a new car so I was just gona do a good wash,clay bar and waxing.

[Stokdgs]

Here`s an option - how about washing the car, rinsing it, then claybar it, then rinse it one more time completely, dry, and it`s ready for whatever next step you want to do...
Dan F

[Custom Care]

Thanks,Its pretty much a new car so I was just gona do a good wash,clay bar and waxing.

It seems like you have run into one of the major issues discussed on here... The condition of a "new" car. Often times the word new can lead you to a false sense of security. As stated before even a light polish is highly reccomended to bring out optical clarity and depth of your paint. Which in turn will yield even greater benefits from a wax or LSP application. Check out some of the threads on here and you will be surprised with the actual paint condition of most "new" cars.

[wdmaccord]

I like to wash after I clay, but as others have said it probably isn`t necessary if you are going to polish, which I agree, you should. Just my personal preference to re-wash. I also don`t wipe up each section as I clay either, so it goes faster, so probably more reason to re-wash if you do it that way.

[Mr. Gloss]

I seldom need to clay, but when I do, it`s during the wash, using the soap as the lubricant. One rinse and done.

Yes, many professionals do that too.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional, but I listen to professionals.

[Mr.Jenkins]

Thank you all very much...I realize a good pollishing would make a difference even on a new car but I just dont have the experience yet and Im afraid to try it on my parents new Cadillac

[glen e]

I just dont have the experience yet and Im afraid to try it on my parents new Cadillac

sorry, bad excuse - you can wipe on and wax off blackfire total polish and seal - by hand- and then wax on and buff off blackfire wet diamond and have a shine that is substantially stronger than "clay and wax" and will last a few months longer.

[Reddwarf]

I like to wash after clay.

[wdmaccord]

Thank you all very much...I realize a good pollishing would make a difference even on a new car but I just dont have the experience yet and Im afraid to try it on my parents new Cadillac

I feel your pain as I just learned to use a random orbital myself. Fortunately, I had 2 older cars to "practice" on before I did my new car. However, Glen is right, you can do it by hand if you are afraid to go at a new car with no experience with a random orbital. I actually do the more intricate areas of my cars by hand when I use TPnS and WDAFPP. I use the white Lake Country CCS hand applicator for TPnS and red Lake Country CCS hand applicator for WD. Then just Crystal Seal or wax (or both if you really want a deep wet shine...Crystal Seal first, then wax 12 hours after the 2nd Crystal Seal application).

[wdmaccord]

I seldom need to clay, but when I do, it`s during the wash, using the soap as the lubricant. One rinse and done.

Yes, many professionals do that too.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional, but I listen to professionals.

Kind of what I do also. I wash, rinse, then use the remaining wash solution as my clay lube. Then wash again. Would be more efficient to do it your way. I`d probably kick the clay onto the concrete. Do you just keep your clay in the wash bucket as you go to keep it "safe"? When I get my Nanoskin sponges, it won`t be as big of a concern and I`ll probably do the scrubber as I wash.

[Nth Degree]

I usually do an ONR quick wash after claying. Just a final rinse is usually enough, though.

[tropicsteve]

i usually use a no rinse as my clay lube, then give it a quick no rinse wipe down when i`m through. dp rinseless wash and gloss works very well.

[Mr. Gloss]

Do you just keep your clay in the wash bucket as you go to keep it "safe"?

Yes.

As for the ONR or other rinseless washes, that`s cool if you`re going to polish. If not, the polymers interfere with the bonding of my personal favorites, the Prima line of HydroMax, Hydro, etc.