I will be detailing a older car (Buick) for my mom-in-law for mother's day. I was wondering if it was worth claying before using polish on the paint to clean it up. The paint is in fair condition with some oxidation. I will be using 1Z polishes. I bought all 3. I'm thinking of starting with the Ultra polish. But is there any use claying this car first or is it a waste of time on a older car that hasn't been detailed very often. Thanks for the advice, Wes.
Clay or Polish
- Thread starter FryeBaby
- Start date
2wheelsx2
New member
Claying is never a wasted step. However, if the oxidation is really really bad, then I would actually polish before claying, as you are going to polish away most of the dead paint before you can get to the fresh paint.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Unless the Buick is so old that it's single-stage, I'd clay it first. I've never had so much oxidation with b/c that I had to polish first. If it *is* ss paint, then I'd probably clay the vertical surfaces first anyhow. IMO it's usually the horizontal surfaces that get so oxidized that you're just wasting clay.
Be a *little* careful with that UP, it has a bit of cut to it. You don't want to go through on the thin spots. Maybe use PP first, then go back and hit the spots that still look bad with some UP. That way you'll only use the aggressive stuff where it's really needed. Plan on at least two tries with PP on everything anyhow. So that would be-
-PP X 2 on entire vehicle (unless one pass does it)
-UP on remaining marring, followed by PP to remove UP's micromarring
-MP on entire vehicle
Don't worry, it'll go faster than you might think; the 1Z stuff is pretty user-friendly.
Be a *little* careful with that UP, it has a bit of cut to it. You don't want to go through on the thin spots. Maybe use PP first, then go back and hit the spots that still look bad with some UP. That way you'll only use the aggressive stuff where it's really needed. Plan on at least two tries with PP on everything anyhow. So that would be-
-PP X 2 on entire vehicle (unless one pass does it)
-UP on remaining marring, followed by PP to remove UP's micromarring
-MP on entire vehicle
Don't worry, it'll go faster than you might think; the 1Z stuff is pretty user-friendly.
jasonatv22
New member
Since this seems to be, literally, granny's oxidized beater, I think I'd cleaner/polish pre-clay. It's just safer and a Buick isn't a small car. Unless she has a Riatta, which I severely doubt.
I really need to try the 1Z line, as I'm totally ignorant of them and they do, at least the Glanz, seem to be odd and alien.
I really need to try the 1Z line, as I'm totally ignorant of them and they do, at least the Glanz, seem to be odd and alien.