clay bar versus cleansers

[rjcp1]

I have noticed lately (even though I'm not sure if its a new thing or not) that some of the wax companies are recommending their cleanser products for stripping old wax and debris from paint before waxing. Does anyone have experience with these? Do they work as well as a clay bar, or is clay still the best way to prepare for wax? The cleansers sound like they're easier, it would be great if they do the same job. Thanks in advance.

[jlb85]

those wax companies cater to the DIY crowd who rarely use clay. The "cleaning" is just some abrasive suspended in the solution, and offers marginal cleaning, marginal polishing, and marginal protection.

Clay does a better job at decontaminating, polish does a better job at abrading.

[rjcp1]

those wax companies cater to the DIY crowd who rarely use clay. The "cleaning" is just some abrasive suspended in the solution, and offers marginal cleaning, marginal polishing, and marginal protection.

Clay does a better job at decontaminating, polish does a better job at abrading.

Thanks jlb85, that's what I thought. What is "abrading"?

[NoodleUK]

Take a look at Tar removers too before claying. Breaks down bug guts, far deposits etc.

[Beamdrum]

As far as I know most mild clay bars don't strip old wax. I don't know about the more abrasive ones. I used a wax stripper prior to claying my car and I got excellent results. after claying, polish and finally wax or seal. I recommend paint sealant if your car isn't garaged and is used daily. Waxing is ok for garage queens as it breaks down very quickly in the elements.

[mikenap]

Some of these "cleansers" can also be considered light glazes, such as P21s Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser, Dodo Juice Lime Prime Lite and Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer. They are designed to chemically clean the paint, promote bonding and remove old wax. They work well in between full details, but as Jacob said, do not decontaminate as well as clay or remove imperfections like true abrasive polishes will.

[ynoty3k]

I thought dawn or other dish detergent was the best way to strip wax

[TOGWT]

those wax companies cater to the DIY crowd who rarely use clay. The "cleaning" is just some abrasive suspended in the solution, and offers marginal cleaning, marginal polishing, and marginal protection.


Clay does a better job at decontaminating, polish does a better job at abrading.

Detailer’s Clay vs. Decontamination

Using detailer’s clay is the most often used process for removing environmental contaminants, by abrading the top section of an iron particle, leaving what is below the paint surface to remain. Once water and heat (reactivity) is added the corrosion process is started.

Paint decontamination system was developed as a method of removing paint contamination beyond what can be removed by washing or claying alone.

If you are familiar with detailer’s clay, you know it’s capable of removing above surface contaminants (paint overspray etc) that have bonded to the paint. A paint decontamination system is formulated to remove what lies below the paint surface. Paint decontamination systems are used by detailers and body shops for pre-cleaning prior to detailing and by dealerships for new and used car prep

a) Detailer's clay – was formulated to remove paint surface contaminants like paint overspray, when it’s used to remove brake / rail dust it abrades the top section of the sintered (heat fused) iron particle, leaving what is below the paint surface to remain. Once water and heat (reactivity) is added the corrosion process is started

b) Decontamination- the imbedded (below paint surface) iron particles are released by the exothermic reaction between the acid and moisture, the heat opens the micro-pores of the paint, thus releasing the sintered iron particles, and to neutralize caustic compounds that have developed in the paint's subsurface. Ongoing damage is immediately stopped and future damage is prevented by removing the ferrous particles.

[ynoty3k]

How the F do you clean below the paint?

[TOGWT]

How the F do you clean below the paint?

Look up "exothermic reaction "