Q What is the truth about clear coat? How long does it last and should it be reapplied if you keep your car? Is it ok to clay-bar and wax? Is there a line of cleaning waxing products you like?
Paul Y. San Ramon, Ca
A I'm probably the last person you should ask about this as I am terribly neglectful about maintaining the cosmetics of the family vehicles. A gravel driveway, oak tree sap, constant fir needles, and dog schlepping present challenges beyond my bandwidth! I checked around with some folks much more knowledgeable than I and hope to relay some useful information.
Clear coat is a second layer of paint applied over the base coat, which contains color and perhaps metallic particles. This is known as a two-stage paint job, which is more durable and easier to maintain, and more work to apply than a single stage paint which has the color and sheen integrated. Sun and environmental fallout are clear coat enemies. In severe cases the clear coat can haze or flake-off, and there's no good fix other than a full-on repaint job.
The clay bar cleaning process removes contaminants from paint, glass, and chrome much better than a typical polish and is not difficult to do. This is a professional detailer's method and is highly popular with vehicle owners who have tried it. The bar is used on a freshly washed vehicle in conjunction with a Speed Shine or Quick Detailer liquid, which primarily serves as a lubricant. One check to see if a clay bar treatment would be beneficial is to place a sandwich baggie over your hand and rub your fingers across the paint or glass surface. If it feels rough or gritty, some detailing is needed!
Popular/highly rated clay bar kits include Meguiar's G1016 Smooth Surface Clay Kit, Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System (both are under $15). Higher-end systems are Griot's Garage 11291 Paint Clay and Speed Shine Kit ($40), and Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay Special ($30)
Tips for performing a successful clay bar treatment include working in the shade, leaving the car wet after the wash/rinse, and being sure to clean/scrape, or discard a clay bar that falls to the ground. Any clay scuff marks will come off easily during the polishing or waxing process to follow.
To achieve a mirror-like finish, polishing is the next step, if desired. The Griot's Garage 11620Z Orbital Correcting and Wax Kit (includes random-orbital polisher) comes well recommended.
Finally, a protective coating of quality paste wax, such as Meguiar's G18211 Ultimate Paste Wax, Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax, or Wolfgang Fuzion Carnauba Polymer Estate Wax is a bit of work, but well worth it. Touch-up/detailer spray liquid wax can extend waxing intervals.___
ABOUT THE WRITER
Brad Bergholdt is an automotive technology instructor at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, Calif. Readers may send him email at bradbergholdt@gmail.com; he cannot make personal replies.
