Time between clay bar and polish/wax

Would I run into any problems if I broke up my paint correction job into two weekends? Tackle the clay bar this weekend and then the polish and wax next weekend?

I need to order the polish online and would like to have the chore broken up anyways as I have alot on my plate already.

 

I would recommend to do it in one shot. Anytime you clay your vehicle and drive it again you will be collecting contaminants. I would say a day or two at most, if you wanna get the best results. I usually clay x2 times are year (every 6 mo) and wax x4 times a year (every 3 mo)

Ps megs clay kit and cleaner wax is what I use. GL

 

That makes sense. I guess I didn't think about collecting contaminents. I grabbed the Meg's clay bar kit that came with 2 bars, lube and microfiber cloth.

 

You shouldn’t have any issues whatsoever. That paint won’t get contaminated again in a month, much less a week.

 

I wouldn't worry too much over a week. Just wash it well. You could look into getting a synthetic clay mitt, like nanoskin, it will cut your claying time down to probably 1/4 the amount, maybe less

 

got a link ?

 

I use one of these. Nice thing is I can use the soapy water I am washing with rather than that stupid spray bottle.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/griots-garage-synthetic-clay-10691/11448483-P

 

This is what I use.

Nanoskin (AS-016) AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

$42 Nanoskin AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Wash Mitt,Weft Knitted Microfiber [AS-016] Blue, 6" x 8.7"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOS0LH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gTzVCb29RA832

 

Nanoskin saves so much time, so much faster than
a claybar. Seems to work just as well for me to.

 

In case anyone is wondering, it does seem to do as good a job as real clay. One of the members asked me to test it a while back. I did a truck with Nanoskin, then went back over it with real clay. The real clay didn’t pick anything up, so the Nanoskin had gotten it all out.

 

I place the clay bar in the middle of a damp chamois. I can clay bar my car in 10 minutes. no need for detail spray. That being said I like detailing and blowing money lol... so I just bought the nanoskin mitt recently and will be trying that out soon.

 

A man after my own heart. No need, but like blowing money.

 

@War Machine do you do anything special with the nanoskin when you’re finished using it for the day?

 

do you use a detail spray while using the mitt ? if so what ?

 

Yes you want some kind of clay lube or detail spray. I use griots speed shine because its affordable.

 

if you detail a lot. I suggest buying optimum no rinse. You can make your own detail spray with this stuff. It will last for years. use distilled water and a cap full or so. I believe the instructions are on the bottle of Optimum no rinse. and get a spray bottle from Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

I rinse it heavily, then set it out to dry. Then I put it back in the package it comes in.

 

I usually use whatever detail spray I have in hand. I generally have several different ones on hand, since I buy stuff way too often. I also have a gallon jug of Blackfire Clay Lube, but I only bought it because it was on sale really cheap and I was already ordering some stuff. I actually haven’t used it yet, so I don’t know if it’s any better.

@Faht Nocker ’s ONR suggestion is a good idea also. ONR is an outstanding product to keep around anyway.

 

Lots of great info here. I already picked up Mother's clay bar kit so I'll use that. I have the Nanoskin mitt on my Amazon list so I'll eventually grab one. They're $50+ here though and the clay bar kit was $30.

 

@War Machine is it a good idea to use the bar if claying for the first time then switch to the mit? Never clayed my truck since getting 5yrs ago.

 

I’ve only used real clay a couple of times. Once I got the mitt I’ve never looked back. All the ones I’ve done have been for the first time, and it’s worked perfectly. I see no reason to use the real stuff at all.

It takes way longer to do with traditional clay, and like @NewImprovedRon said, you can clean it if you drop it. Traditional clay is a one time use item, and if you drop it or get something caught in it, it has to go in the trash.

@Outbound can you return the kit you got? The mitt is pretty much the same price. Using a real clay bar will take hours.

For me to do the whole process on a truck (wash, iron x, clay, wash again, dry and apply sealant) usually runs dead on two hours.

 

Unfortunately since i already opened the box i cant return the kit.

 

I have used clay bar for years. Like I said previously: put the clay bar in the middle of a damp chamois. This cuts the time in half or more. I do a small area then fold the clay bar, repeat. Just make sure to wipe with a dry microfiber after you clay bar an area. wash, clay bar, polish, wax or sealant, done.

 

Do y'all polish after clay? I usually don't, but I've read that you are supposed to.

 

If not, you have nothing protecting the clear coat.

 

By polish, I mean use a paint correction compound.

 

Believe only if needed or desired. Would be to address swirl marks and maybe light scratches. Darker colors more prone to see.

 

I have polished after clay to try to remove swirls and scratches. It's not necessary but definitely will leave your truck looking better than if you skip this step

 

I never have, but yes, it’s generally recommended. It has a lot to do with the condition of the paint to begin with. I think mostly it’s because of marring induced by the clay, but I haven’t ever gotten any marring with the Nanoskin Mitt.

 

I have, but mainly if I'd planned on polishing anyway. There can be some micro-marring from clay or clay mitts, but the average person is never going to see that. On the occasional customers car, I'll clay and then 'one step' it (i.e HD Speed, Meguiars D166, Blackfire One Step), unless they're specifically asking for multi-step paint correction.