Clay or Skip?

[Todd@RUPES]

So first a little background.
I bought Corvette new last May, ordered it, picked it up the day it arrived so it never sat outside. 2700 miles to date, 99% backroads and mountain passes, never driven to work, never seen rain, stored all winter. Washed every 3 drives, 2 bucket system, quality microfiber used, NXT 2.0 the day it came home, with spray wax after washing.

So I left work at lunch today to start on my detailing of my Vette, "Wet Ice over Fire" kit. Washed with Dawn and then used Griots wax and sealant remover to get started.

So the paint is squeak clean at this point and I was going to start to clay. Paint feels smooth, so it struck me that I should do a test spot, did one on the front quarter panel, Griots speed shine and clayed it. Wiped it off. Clay was clean and car didnt really feel any different than the paint next to it that I sprayed with just the speed shine. So tried the area where my DD gets the clay really dirty, behind the front wheels where my Vette kicks up tons of brake dust. Same thing, nothing on the clay.

So Im starting to think I really dont have a problem with anything bonded to the paint and maybe I should skip it. On my DD it made a profound difference in how the paint felt, and there was always stuff on the clay, especially down low behind the wheels.

So, any opinion? Im thinking skip it, save the clay for the DD in a couple weeks. But I could be convinced to do it anyway.

Also, as a positive note, after I stripped the wax and NxT, I was worried I would uncover a bunch of swirls, but under direct sun the paint looks perfect, not a swirl in sight. I guess the careful washing paid off.

Put your hands in a plastic baggy and feel the surface. If it feels completely smooth then there is no need to clay.

To be honest I would probably clay anyways just to be safe, given that what ever little you may pick up isn`t going to effect the clay bar and it will still be fine for the daily driver.

[bmw5541]

Put your hands in a plastic baggy and feel the surface. If it feels completely smooth then there is no need to clay.

To be honest I would probably clay anyways just to be safe, given that what ever little you may pick up isn`t going to effect the clay bar and it will still be fine for the daily driver.

Best advise you are going to get.

btw, welcome to TID. Now lets see some pics of that Vette.

[Nth Degree]

Best advise you are going to get.

:iagree:I always clay a car before sealing. Once I clay enough surface area, there is always something removed, even if it is just a trace. That trace would have been sealed in.

[imported_Stokdgs]

Yes, I too would use the claybar carefully, with lots of lube, not in the sun, and just gently sand the whole car.
I cant remember ever seeing a vehicle that didnt need a claybar treatment - even new ones like yours.
I also never put my hands in a plastic bag to test the paintwork. Just a clean, dry hand, over clean, just washed paint does just fine. I think my fingertips are more sensitive to anything not smooth, etc., without the use of a plastic bag.
But then again, that`s how I learned to do this, a million moons ago..

Sounds like a beautiful car you have there. Congratulations on having such a nice vehicle!

Welcome to the Forum - hope you enjoy your stay!
Dan F

[Old Pirate]

The plastic baggy test is the way to go, I always recommend to clay.

[imported_Larry A]

Do the plastic bag test. Maybe at least do the hood roof and trunk.

[KneeDragr]

Do the plastic bag test. Maybe at least do the hood roof and trunk.

Actually the hood and trunk had nothing on the clay, but the lower areas near the wheels/ground had a little bit of stuff on them.

[imported_detailchick]

Personally on the rocker panels I break offf a very small peice and if the clay picks up any tar or anything nasty I trash the clay .

You want to keep your clay bar pretty pristine especially for a garage queen .

I clay 99 percent of the cars I detail .

[DJBAILEY]

Hard to believe that the tailgate and rear bumper have no contmination. Those 2 areas especially the top of the rear bumper is always the grittiest. Use a fine clay like Sonus green so there is less chance of marring the paint. Try to do a few panels before kneading the clay again. I bet the clay surface will accumulate dirt for you see that there is contamination. It`s just not alot. Good job keep it clean and out of the elements.