How often do you clay your car?

[beebosaur]

I just clayed my car for the first time 2 weeks ago and loved the result. i was wondering how often people usually clay their cars? is it possible to clay it too much?

i drive my car daily and its parked outside 24/7... the parking lot at work is surrounded with trees that drop sap that wont come off easily with a regular wash. my apartment complex also does gardening twice a week and the car gets super dusty on these days after they blow all the dust/leaves away. so i have a feeling claying my car is the best way to keep it shiny/clean. but i don't want to over do it...

[fnkngrv]

I was instructed by someone that has used the method for years to only claybar the car once a year. Jumpman_Yaris would be someone good to talk to about detailing techniques and intervals.

[mazilla]

I do it when it's needed. When I can feel grit as I drag the back of my hand across the paint after waxing I'll do it at the next wash and re-wax. I don't like using spray wax with the clay, I use a fresh bucket of soapy water, heavy on the soap and rinse as I go.

[beebosaur]

are there negative repercussions to claying the car often though?

[enviri]

once a season. it keeps my car shiny with just spray soap and a rag all year long lol.

[Rockstar]

every time i wash the car

One hand on the foamy wash mitt and the other on the clay bar.

[YodaBird]

Clay your car ? I should look into this.

[why?]

never. Of course I don't need or want my car to be show car perfect. I have to drive to work and let it sit in an extremely busy parking lot all day long. I take blending in or looking bad over screaming,"steal me."

[YarisSedan]

Good way to see how contaminated your paint is and if clay bar is needed is take a plastic grocery bag and place your hand in it and rub it on your paint after the car has been washed if it feels smooth you are good if there are many little bumps those are contamination in your paint that needs to be removed with clay bar especially if you are going to wax your car you are just sealing them into your paint

[Viperoni]

With track use, once a year isn't enough. The sides get covered in brake dust.

[Bluevitz-rs]

I just picked up a kit. Going to do it for the first time. I'm a clay virgin

[Melloreel]

Originally Posted by mazilla

I do it when it's needed. When I can feel grit as I drag the back of my hand across the paint after waxing I'll do it at the next wash and re-wax. I don't like using spray wax with the clay, I use a fresh bucket of soapy water, heavy on the soap and rinse as I go.

I do all my vehicles twice per year. But a word of caution! I use the McGuire kit, just because it seems to work better than water alone. Now. The kit comes with the bar and a bottle of quick detailer for the lubricant. Yesterday I accidentally grabbed the quick wax bottle, they both look just alike. It made the clay turn to liquid clay. I could not get it to come off without power buffing the hood twice did I mention this was the wife's car and she was watching, no, yelling the whole time

[ciscobear]

You clay as often as it feels rough.

[YarisSedan]

Originally Posted by Melloreel

I do all my vehicles twice per year. But a word of caution! I use the McGuire kit, just because it seems to work better than water alone. Now. The kit comes with the bar and a bottle of quick detailer for the lubricant. Yesterday I accidentally grabbed the quick wax bottle, they both look just alike. It made the clay turn to liquid clay. I could not get it to come off without power buffing the hood twice did I mention this was the wife's car and she was watching, no, yelling the whole time

ive done that accidentally before lol

[Absolutely Red 12]

Originally Posted by Melloreel

I do all my vehicles twice per year. But a word of caution! I use the McGuire kit, just because it seems to work better than water alone. Now. The kit comes with the bar and a bottle of quick detailer for the lubricant.

You can not clay with water alone!! Period.

As the Yaris is parked in the driveway uncovered, I do the top and hood once a month while washing. Use extra car wash soap (Meguiars), dip 2 MF wash mitts in the soapy water, wash the section, dont rinse, and lightly clay 1/4 of the roof at a time.
I use a spray wax after drying.

The whole car was done when new, and 6 months thereafter.

Too many trees in my area, I get little sap dots all the time.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Clayed my car today. WOW the paint is SOOO smooth now I can't believe it! Put on AutoGlym Super Resin Polish after and got the front and rear of the car waxed with carnauba wax and ran outa time.

[wildmongoose26]

My husband clay's my car before every wax about 3 times per year.
This is to help give the wax the best possible surface to adhere to to allow a better longevity of the wax itself.
Claying the car too often isn't exactly bad for the car as long as you do it properly. Little pressure, lots of lubricant and if you drop the clay on the ground, its trash! You also need to be sure you are using a mild clay rather then an aggressive clay. In some cases you do need an aggressive clay but more then likely you will be putting some micro marring in the paint and will have to come after it with a mild polish before you wax to ensure best possible shine.

[ijaen]

Originally Posted by beebosaur

are there negative repercussions to claying the car often though?

Doing it too much can cause marring on the paint and if you do it TOO MUCH it will eventually make the paint thinner but I don't think you guys are in the risk of that. Once a year or whenever you feel the paint is rough and contaminated is enough. Be sure to wax it afterwards.

Once a year I do: Wash, clay, wash, polish, wash, seal, wax.
That helps to avoid dust and bird poo sticking to the paint...