Clay Bar for 1 year old Maverick?

[tinkerer12]

Hello,

I have a one year old garage kept 25 Maverick that has not been waxed yet. I read a couple of reviews on Griots 3 in 1 ceramic wax, and it seems easy enough to apply. I have never applied a ceramic before, just standard Meguires wax.

Most of these ceramic products recommend clay bar, then a machine polish. I am not wild about the idea of taking any clear coat (although minor) off a one year old vehicle! Have any of you applied a ceramic without the clay bar, with maybe just an iron decontamination spray?

Thanks in advance,
Terry

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[Cancunbadlands]

If it needs a clay bar treatment depends more on its environment and exposure than its age. Even brand-new trucks often have "rail dust" (tiny metal particles from transport) or industrial fallout bonded to the paint.
At the one-year mark, a clay bar treatment is generally a great idea to keep the finish smooth and ensure any wax or sealant you apply actually bonds to the paint.

 

[LanceMav]

You always want to do a clay bar first. Gets rid of all those contaminates, other wise you are just putting a polish/ceramic coating over the dirt. The clay bar does not take off the clear coat. I don't do the machine polish, all by hand.

 

[Pointyears]

Hello,

I have a one year old garage kept 25 Maverick that has not been waxed yet. I read a couple of reviews on Griots 3 in 1 ceramic wax, and it seems easy enough to apply. I have never applied a ceramic before, just standard Meguires wax.

Most of these ceramic products recommend clay bar, then a machine polish. I am not wild about the idea of taking any clear coat (although minor) off a one year old vehicle! Have any of you applied a ceramic without the clay bar, with maybe just an iron decontamination spray?

Thanks in advance,
Terry

A clay bar isn't going to remove clearcoat unless you scrub hard without enough lubrication.

 

[CO2Ranger]

A clay bar isn't going to remove clearcoat unless you scrub hard without enough lubrication.

This. Light touch and lots of lube is the key

 

[Cancunbadlands]

This. Light touch and lots of lube is the key

That's what she said

 

[MYNOMAV]

I use Griot's synthetic clay bar system on my 1950 Ford, 2007 mustang, and Maverick will be getting done when winter ends. Just follow the directions and all will be good. The synthetic system takes less than an hour to do.

 

[matmondro]

I clay barred my Maverick the day I brought it home from the dealer. As @Cancunbadlands mentioned, my truck had tons of rail dust that needed to be removed. I wouldn't have any reservations using a clay bar on your one year old truck, won't damage the clear at all.

I use the Griot's 3-1 Ceramic you mentioned, applied with a machine. I'm very happy with it, water beading is awesome. I'll give the truck a quick spray wax after each wash to prolong the life of the wax even more.

My one tip for the Griots 3-1 Ceramic: work in small sections and buff off immediately. It's not like Meguiars (I used to use NXT) where you let it sit and dry for 20 minutes. It should be buffed off ASAP.

 

[Topsportsman916]

Claying a car is abrasive. I always polish after claying. I have used the Griots 3 &1 ceramic wax. Easy to use(just a liquid wax). Now I would recommend in lieu of the Griots, I would use a paint sealant such as Wolfgang Paint Sealant. It applies and removes like a liquid wax. It just lasts a lot longer than wax. A wax is good for about 3-4 weeks. A paint sealant is good for about 3-6 months depending on your environment and such.
When I don't ceramic coat (true ceramic coating) , I use Wolfgang Paint Sealant. Hope this helps.

 

[BRAT]

Hello,

I have a one year old garage kept 25 Maverick that has not been waxed yet. I read a couple of reviews on Griots 3 in 1 ceramic wax, and it seems easy enough to apply. I have never applied a ceramic before, just standard Meguires wax.

Most of these ceramic products recommend clay bar, then a machine polish. I am not wild about the idea of taking any clear coat (although minor) off a one year old vehicle! Have any of you applied a ceramic without the clay bar, with maybe just an iron decontamination spray?

Thanks in advance,
Terry

I say clay bar and use your standard wax. If you were going to ceramic there's a bunch of steps and time it takes. The spray coatings do not last long

 

[Awesemann]

I've used Griots products for a long time now, had even been to their store in Tacoma WA. It see best to clay bar before waxing to get all the grim off. That way you are starting with a clean surface. Also use there speed shine as a lube and keep put it on so the clay bar doesn't stick to the paint. You don't have to use a machine to put the wax on, you can hand wax.

 

[Truckish]

Hello,

I have a one year old garage kept 25 Maverick that has not been waxed yet. I read a couple of reviews on Griots 3 in 1 ceramic wax, and it seems easy enough to apply. I have never applied a ceramic before, just standard Meguires wax.

Most of these ceramic products recommend clay bar, then a machine polish. I am not wild about the idea of taking any clear coat (although minor) off a one year old vehicle! Have any of you applied a ceramic without the clay bar, with maybe just an iron decontamination spray?

Thanks in advance,
Terry

Yes, clay before you wax otherwise you will seal in the grime. Machine polish is nice but clay is sufficient for a truck. It will look great with wax. I clayed my Maverick the first week after I bought it but it had been on the lot for a few months. First I did a full wash with a pressure washer and rinse with DI water and it looked great.

Then I took a brand new Meguiars mild clay which started out like this:

and ended up like this:

but the result was worth it!

Best of luck!

 

[tinkerer12]

Thanks everyone for the great information. Appreciate it.

Terry

 

[Aaron F]

You can also use a synthetic "clay" towel from DIY Detail with their Iron Remover. It acts as a clay lube and iron remover at the same time. You essentially knock out 2 steps in one. I used this method before applying their ceramic coating to my Maverick.

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