I just clayed my 2002 sebring silver and I was stunned as to the amount of residue that came off the car. For years I thought I was getting my cars clean and this process just showed me how much I was missing.

A little side note...I kept a trash bag under each section of car as I was working and if by chance (twice) you drop the clay bar it ends up on a sterile surface.

I was all ready to start waxing and when I did the first section I had a lot of film still coming off the car. The section buffed out nice but I am wondering if I should wash the car again before waxing or is this normal to see some discoloration in the wax as you are applying it?

Thanks for the help.

 

you should rewash again before waxing -- preferably with Dawn to totally strip your surface with oils, etc. the clay may have left. good luck and post pics.

 

Thanks for the info.

I will wash it tomorrow with some dawn and wax it in the evening.

The car is sebring silver and I don't know how much wow factor the process will give, but it sure felt nice to rub my hand along and fell nothing but smooth paint.

 

yes, i agree that you should rewash- i personally would not use dawn at this point, but i would if i was applying a synthetic for the first time and did not clay or polish first.
its just a personal preference, but i just use a high quality car shampoo after claying
as fins4284 said, we love to see pics!!

 

wanabe,

Does it matter that the vehicle will sit overnight and not get washed untill late Tuesday?

Does the residue set back into the car? Almost want to go out and wash it right now bu my wife may divorce me if I don't quit obsessing over this car.

 

If you used an instant detailer with your clay bar, just use the detailer to clean up the residue. That's what the directions that came with my clay bar said. If you used soap, then I wouldn't stop until I rewashed the car.

I use a detailer spray and do not rewash after the clay bar and it works great.

 

 

if using synthetic polish, make sure you use same brand detailer to ensure the polish bonds properly.

 

You don't need Dawn.

 

Update on progress.

Rained all day yesterday so car sat in garage.

Was able to wash car this afternoon. I just finished waxing job using Meguiars Gold Classic Liquid wax.

Car looks better than ever. Sebring Silver is a great color but it is hard to get any wow factor out of it. My wife came out into the garage and commented on how it looked like a mirror with all the reflections in it. It is raining outside right now. I will take some pics as soon as I can move her outside.

Wish I knew about claying years ago. I have been telling everyone about it at work. They think I have lost it. I try to explain to them how much the process cleans the car and they can't envision it. Well I am a believer now.

Thanks for the comments and assistance.