I just finished claying our new '09 RX & then polished it.
I have a feeling that the dealer clayed it before delivery as I have clayed many vehicles before & felt the rough finish before claying. This finish was a smooth as a babies behind. Well anyways the new RX is clayed & polished & ready for the summers hot sun if it ever stops raining.
Has anyone else had the same experience or doesn't anyone clay their new vehicles anymore?

 

well the car is usually covered with the white plastic wrap after t comes off the factory line. so really there isnt anything to clay off

 

I always clay my new vehicles. It's probably the most important step in
maintaining the vehicles finish over the long run. My 08' RX definitely needed claying when I took delivery. I usually clay 2 times a year, one to carry me through summer then again to get me through the winter months.

 

i guess it depends whether or not the car was sitting on the lot or straight from the port

 

I don't waste my time claying a new car. I wait at least 6 months and then wash, clay, polish and wax. First wax job I use a paste and the next couple a liquid. Best tool for the job in my arsenal is the Porter Cable Orbital Polisher/Buffer.

 

Pics of the freshly clayed car would be good!

 

Claying is a step that you can't really see any difference after you wash your car but is a feel thing. Clay removes contaminates that have bonded with the paint like tree sap, road grime, paint,etc that washing will not remove. After claying a car you can rub your hand over the surface and the clayed surface feels smooth and the non clayed surface you will feel your hand drag and catch on the finish. Claying sets you up for the next step of applying a good polish(s) to remove swirl marks and set up a very easy application of wax for the final step.

 

Clay, polish, glaze, seal, and wax are my first steps for a new car. Even when its brand new it could have some contaminants on it so its better to do everything so it looks its best

Dealer instilled swirls suck

 

I hear ya Eyezack. Got a question for ya. What is the difference between seal and wax ? I usually don't glaze the car unless it's been a long time since I really detailed it.