I've been told that clay barring your car won't actually strip the sealant/wax... and I've been told that it definitely will.

So which is it?

 

it will

 

^

+1 for sure it will

 

so does that mean that i would not need to use a pre-wax detergent to strip off the sealant / wax before claying ?
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i want to clay, and then re-apply my sealant as i have a lot of rail dust underneath the sealant applied by the dealership.
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whats your suggestion.

 

dawn is cheap... i wash with it before I clay ... just to make sure I remove all traces of the wax/sealant

 

Yes. Claying your car will remove all sealant and wax in addition to the fallout that is present on your paint.

You won't need to use a pre wax detergent. Just wash normally then clay. Though if you want to then go ahead

 

Clay will remove the wax and sealant like others said.

I got my car home from the dealer, clayed it, applies sealant, and waxed it twice, paint was in much better condition after that.

 

In most cases, clay will "scrub off" wax protection. Some paint sealants are hard enough to withstand being cleaned with clay, but most are not.