Im planning on picking up the meguiar 3 step tomorrow and plan on detailing my car. I was wondering should I clay my max before the 3 steps or would step 1 with the paint cleaner accomplish the same thing as claying?

 

A clay bar and a paint cleaner are two very different things. Try this test...
Wash and dry the car. Run your clean hand along the paint. If you feel "grit", kinda like a fine sandpaper, you need to clay. The surface should literally feel smooth as glass. The "grit" is actually contaminants (like rail dust) bonded to your paint, and a paint cleaner will not remove it. A clay bar literally pulls it out of the paint, leaving the surface baby-bottom smooth. A paint cleaner chemically cleans the surface of stains, oxidation, etc...

Even if your paint doesn't need it right now, I'd still pick up a bar. They're great for windshields (do the same test), rims, bug remnants, and specks of tar. And if you're serious about your car's appearance, you will need to do it some time. As for appearance, claying makes mine (Arctic Pearl White) look brighter and crisper. I do mine about twice a year or so, and spot clay as needed for bugs and tar. I've also found my rear bumper needs it frequently, as it gets that sandpaper feel quicker than anywhere else.

Check out www.autopia.org, there's a ton of info on clay, paint cleaners, and anything else detail oriented.

Dave

 

What Dave said. The clay is amazing stuff.

 

thanks for the feedbacks, too bad its in the 20s here in NYC. I cant really do anything to the max for a couple of days until it warms up

 

Where do you get a good clay bar? How much are they? And Whats a good brand to get? THANX

 

clay magic makes a good one for about $9.99 at autozone but pepboys a mothers kit for about that price too