Compound and/or Clay Bar

[Instrument 39]

Will clay baring do the same thing as compounding? If not what should be done first?

[Tweaks]

Simple answer is no. Clay bar is intended to only remove dirt/debris/hard water stains/imperfections, etc. that get lodged into the surface of the paint over time. The clay bar, when used correctly, will remove these things when a simple washing with either car specific soap or Dawn dishwashing soap don't. What's left behind is nothing but pure paint. No residual wax fillers or anything like that, so it's a good thing to use when assessing just what condition your paint is in.

Compound is a term that can be applied to anything from rubbing compounds to polishes. They all get grouped into that term because they all tend to have a degree of abrasives in them that are intended to remove heavy to minor swirls and scratch imperfections depending on which ones you use. Polishes are nice to use because they allow the abrasives to steadily break down and leave the paint looking show room floor new if the proper grade of polish is used. However, Meguiars 105 and 205 polishing compounds don't break down and therefor keep cutting into the finish the more you work them in a particular area. That makes them better for going after deep scratches and imperfections versus a finishing polish.

The order you should use these things are:
Wash the vehicle
Clay bar
re-wash if you decided to use the clay bar
determine the paint condition and if there are moderate to heavy swirls/scratches/imperfections, use a heavy cutting compound
follow the heavy compound up with a finishing polish or compound designed to remove the micro-maring that heavy cut compound may leave behind
protect the excellent work you just did with either a wax or a sealant
Congrats, you're done and you won't have to go through all these steps for another year or so if your washing habits are paint friendly and gentle.

On a side note, I have never clayed my truck. I keep up on the detailing pretty regularly and I have never felt those surface bumps and imperfections that warrant using the clay bar.

[GM4ever98]

:word:
I haven't done my truck yet, but on my 05 Impala, after I clayed it once I never had to do it again. If you wash it regularly to keep contaminants off you should be good. I try to wash my truck with Meguiars Gold Class at least once a week weather permitting and it stays pretty nice.

[50thAnnR6]

if you clay the vehicle good enough, meaning enough lubricant, you wont need to re wash. its better to use more lubricant for the clay, than not enough. then just wipe dry with a MF towel.

i have clay'd prolly 50-75 cars and have yet to rewash one. but, a lot of people feel more comfortable doing it that way. you definitely wont hurt it if you wash it again.

i have yet to clay this 98, and i knoew its never been done, the surface is sooo bad.

[Tweaks]

Good to know about skipping the extra wash post clay bar. I think we all know how much time a good detail takes and eliminating something and shortening up the project is always a plus.

[hoseman44]

the best way you can tell if your paint needs clay bar is put your hand in a plastic bag and lightly rub it over the surface. even after being done with a detail do it also and you should feel the difference. even if it feels smooth to the touch try it with a bag on your hand and that will tell you if it needs to be done. check out adamspolishes.com and watch the junkman videos, he has a whole area to himself called junkmans corner and he has about a dozen tutorial videos from start to finish to carwashes to final polish. check it out should answer most of your questions and if you have more sign onto the site alot of friendly people that are very helpful.