Cleaning The Paint

Wash the car. If you have a new car, hand-wash it and NEVER take it through a car wash. Car washes have to filter and recycle their water. They save money by seldom cleaning the filter; even those soft, cloth brushes will scratch your paint. Claying your car will not remove the scratches. It will have to be machine buffed with a mild compound. Buy a good detergent for autos. Don’t be cheap here.

In a covered or shady area, begin the claying process. Make a small biscuit (pictured below 4b), spray some polish on a small surface and gently slide the clay pad back and forth (not circular). Keep it wet enough so the clay doesn’t drag. Don’t put pressure on the clay pad, just let it slide. You’ll notice it begins to remove contaminants and old wax/polish. When it gets slightly dirty, ball it up and form it into a biscuit again. Don’t use water as a lubricant because the clay absorbs it.

Caution: If you drop the clay, throw it away. Unless your garage or driveway is surgically clean, you have just picked up enough debris to scratch your paint.

Wipe with a micro-fiber towel and feel how smooth it is. Continue until the car is finished. You can use these towels for washing, polishing, cleaning, etc. They are super-absorbent.

You can also remove water spots and contaminants from glass and chrome with this process and you can clean out old wax/polish from crevices using the edge of the pad.

When the car is clean, apply the Sealant or wax and buff off using micro-fiber towels. You will use several towels in cleaning and waxing your car.

Note: The Floral Clay Block from the craft store seems to perform as well as Meguiar’s and Mother’s. However, if you have a Black vehicle, test it on a small area that isn’t noticeable to be sure it cleans acceptably. If it does, you just saved $20 and can use the generic brand.

Regarding Sealants and Wax: Spend your money here. Everything else is preparation and you don’t need expensive stuff. For newer cars use polymer sealants and on older cars you can use carnauba wax. Pictured is a 90 TC. It has been clayed but not waxed so there isn’t a lot of shine. The purpose of the clay is to remove every contaminant and make the paint as smooth (but not as oily) as a politician running for re-election.
 

Recommendation: If you buy a new car you will have an option to buy a paint protectant such as Perma Plate or other brands. Don’t waste your money. They are just polymer sealants and no better than Meguiar’s, Mother’s or other top brands. There is a 1000% markup on this stuff. I used Perma Plate on ½ my 90 TC and Meguiar’s 20 on the other half. After three years and three applications, it is impossible to see any difference.

Also, when you buy a car from a dealer, require that they clay the car (even a new one) before delivery. Then put on a good sealant. They may want to charge you for cleaning the car but ask for this just before you sign the papers. Make it a deal breaker; have that stipulation and added in writing to the purchase agreement. They will do it. Be sure to check, by rubbing your hand over the finish, before taking delivery.