coventryslk
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2009
- Messages
- 1,439
- Reaction score
- 87
- Age
- 42
- Location
- Coventry
- Your Mercedes
- W204 CDI Sport
Claying, when done improperly can indeed damage the paint, as can using a sponge
The devil is in the detail, prior preparation is key.
Clay helps remove impurities from the paint such as tar spots, tree sap and bird lime. Having used clay many times over the last five years, I consider it to be an essential, it preps the paint ready for polish, sealant and/or wax.
Some polishes have fillers to help mask swirl marks (the previous owner of my car seemed to think automatic car washes were fine ) and brings out the the shine in the paint. Wax acts as a lens and magnifies that shine.
I, on average clay three or four times a year (as well as removing all the impurities it'll take off all the wax), I polish the car once a month, which allows to me to wash the car weekly without having to do anything else.
clay bars however you jazz it up damage the paint. Use petrol to wipe of tree sap etc and bird ****e will come off with a soaking