Clay Bar Question

[imported_RamSus]

Up till now, I have always claybared my vehicles using the following method:



1. Rinse car

2. Hand wash it

3. Rinse it

4. Claybar it



& I was satisfied with the results.



Today, while reading one of the articles here about Detailing Clay, which points out the following:



After washing and drying, examine your car`s paint with your hand. If the paint is not perfectly smooth, use a paint-cleaning clay system and clay lubricant to remove the surface contamination.



My question: Is it really necessary to dry the vehicle first, then use the clay lubricant rather than using my method. Could you, please, shed some light on this!



Thanks

[stiffdogg06]

I just wash the car, and while its still wet I put my hand in a plastic bagging and rub it against the paint. If its rough to the touch, time to clay.

[imported_RamSus]

I just wash the car, and while its still wet I put my hand in a plastic bagging and rub it against the paint. If its rough to the touch, time to clay.

Actually, my question was: "Can I claybar it while the car is wet or does need to be dried first, then use the clay lubricant to claybar it?"

[Garry Dean]

I DO NOT use clay lubricant! I just do what you say you do. I use water as my lube. It works well and saves $ on lube. It is perfectly fine to do it that way as long as you keep the surface wet at all times. Hope that helps!

[imported_RamSus]

That`s what I wanted to hear. Thanks to both of you for the input.

[stiffdogg06]

Yeah just make sure you keep wetting it so you don`t marr the surface with the clay bar.

[Patek14]

I`d use a lube w/ clay...even if the risk is minimal, is it worth it?



ONR @ clay bar lube str. costs essentially nothing.

[imported_RamSus]

I`d use a lube w/ clay...even if the risk is minimal, is it worth it?



ONR @ clay bar lube str. costs essentially nothing.

If I opt for clay lube, do I need to dry the vehicle after washing it or can I just apply the lube on top of the wet surface?

[jimmybuffit]

No need to dry the car.

Water should be enough lube.

We do it 4-5 times per day - works fine.



Jim

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

If I opt for clay lube, do I need to dry the vehicle after washing it or can I just apply the lube on top of the wet surface?

just apply lube on top of wet vehicle and go at it with the clay bar. water`s not a good enough lube on it`s own and clay usually has a tough time removing contamination when it`s fighting dry spots between water to freely move along the paint... in my experience at least... just use lube, it`s much easier.

[UncleWede]

I`m working on Daily Drivers all the time, so not as critical, but after I wash I use the bucket of wash water and just dip the clay in that top inch or so for lubricant. Often I`m just doing a scrape from a bumper or something, and not a whole car. YMMV . . .

[Setec Astronomy]

I think most of us just use car wash solution while claying.

[imported_RamSus]

I appreciate all your inputs guys.