I'm about to clay my truck for the first time, which prompts me to ask a question. Does claying create swirls? If you're removing contaminants that ultimately stick to the clay, won't rubbing those same contaminants, or a dirty clay bar, cause damage to the paint.

In short, my paint is in good shape. There are very minimal swirls. With that said, my intent is to:

- wash
- dry with MF
- clay with Meg's clay kit
- wax with Meg's NTX

I don't currently see the need to use a cleaner polish, so I was hoping this is all I need to do. However, don't want to do any damage. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

As long as you clean all of the dirt off of your truck you should not induce swirls. The QD that you spray on your truck and then use the clay on works as a lubricant so the contaminants coming off of the paint float to the surface of the QD and will not induce swirls.

If you are claying you shouldn't need to use a cleaner polish. If you have swirls, you may want to use some sort of correction step after claying.

 

Also, as the clay becomes overly dirty, nead it until the clay appears clean again and continue claying. Always use ample lube. The clay will absorb (for lack of a better word) the contaminents and keep them off the surface.

 

Swirls? Well maybe, but more like dulling pending the level of clay you use.

What brand/color are you using?

Megs in order of mild to aggressive
White
Blue
Red (will induce dulling if pressing too hard, should only be used to spot treat)

Others
Purple-more aggressive then Red (should be used to spot treat)

Clay Magic-mild
Poorboys-mild

 

I planned on just buying Meg's Clay Kit from my local Wally World. I assume this comes with a white bar, not sure. For the most part, my paint is in great shape; however, the truck is 3 years old and the paint has never been clayed. I might start with the white and move on from there if it doesn't work good enough.

Thanks to everyone for their response. Very much appreciated.

 

White comes in the "kits" and you may just have to make several passes at the area.

There isn't enough lube in the kit to do a truck...so buy some more..you'll need it.

 

Will do. Thanks RR.

 

I was thinking there would not be enough clay (2 bars) in the smooth surface kit to do my truck.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

One bar can do more than one vehicle. It's the lube that will run out.

 

You will have plenty of clay. You WILL run of out QD though.

 

Yes this was the case but has anyone noticed their clay being magnetically attracted to the ground?

I cut the bar in half and was going to do the lower third of the truck since mistakes or problems would be least noticed there and the claybar jumped out of my hand before the first stroke.

Maybe it's the earth's magnetic lines of flux in my driveway...

Anyway there was 5 years of road tar and stuck on dirt galore on that lower third...and I used nearly all of a 16 oz bottle of Meg QD but still have a bar and a half of clay left.

 

That's all clay bars. Not just Meg's. I was doing my buddy's car and he was helping me clay. I ripped my clay in half and before I handed it to him I said, "Do not let this hit the ground. If it hits the ground, it's garbage, throw it away." I don't even think he walked completely around the car and he dropped it.

PS I just noticed we need more violent smiley's here to really show my true emotions.

 

Finally getting around to doing this this weekend. I bought a clay kit from WM and an extra bottle of Quick Detailer. Again, my process is going to be:

- Wash and dry thoroughly with MF
- Clay with Meg's ensuring to use ample lube
- Wax by hand with NXT Tech 2.0

I don't plan on using a cleaner wax since I have no swirls. Anybody think I missing anything? Advice is always appreciated.

 

What WM did you hit? I got my kit from pepboys. The weather is supposed to be rainy this weekend. You working in the garage on outside?
The last day I worked on my truck it rained before I could finish.

 

You can save your self some time and not dry the truck before claying it. If you have a garage handy just pull it in out of the sun and start claying because you are going to dry it as you clay the truck anyways.