Claying a coated vehicle.

[opie]

mike what are your thoughts on using a fine clay to revive a year old very negliected ceramic coating?

I just did a decontaination wash to my friends truck that i coated 11 months ago. He hand washed it once since then and it only sees touchless car washes. I know i know....i tried to tell him it needs to be maintained with regular minimum bi weekly washes. But i can only lead a horse to water.

Anyway, i did a proper decon wash with a high alkinline, iron remover and a acidic soap. But it still didnt revive it. Ive asked around, and come to find out that some have had success using a fine clay and plety of lube with a gentle touch.

Wandered your thoughts on the subject. Thanks

 

[Mike Phillips]

Thats a great question with a very simple answer.

Will claying add more coating?

What’s the opposite of adding?

 

[opie]

Thats a great question with a very simple answer.

Will claying add more coating?

What’s the opposite of adding?

Simple enough indeed, thanks for your input.

 

[Mojo122]

Will claying remove or degrade the coating?

 

[Mike Phillips]

Will claying remove or degrade the coating?

Same answer as I posted previously.

Will claying add more coating?

What’s the opposite of adding?

My take?

Detailing clay and all the polymerized rubber clay substitutes all have a pulverized abrasive in them as this is how clay and clay substitutes work. You move the clay or clay towel/mitt/pad over the surface and it ABRADES the contaminants off the paint.

So ask yourself, is rubbing a clay towel or a clay substitute over a coated surface adding more ceramic coating? The answer obviously is "no". What's the opposite of the word adding?

It's possible with a lot of lube, a gentle touch and a fine grade clay or clay towel that you won't remove any coating but here's the deal? How can you truly tell? As in, how can you tell if any coating is removed and if so - how much?

To me the answer is - you can't. Maybe someday if a person can shrink themselves down like the Atom, (the super hero), and physically walk around on the surface of your car's paint to visually inspect it up close, then you can know. Until that day? It's a judgement call and a choice that each person needs to make for themselves and for their car.



-Mike