Car Care & Detailing Washing, waxing, cleaning, caring.

How long should it take to clay an entire car?

Old Jun 29, 2016 | 01:58 PM
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From: Des Moines IA
How long should it take to clay an entire car?

on average, be it that you did a good job on the car, how long? just wanting to get an idea as I will be claying my whole care for the first time...obviously want to make sure i'm doing it right
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 02:03 PM
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it took me close to an hour the last time..
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 02:24 PM
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Depending on how much debris is lodged in the clearcoat, anywhere from 30-60min. I try to save time by starting from the top of the panel and work my way down, and wiping it dry after I'm done with the entire area.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 09:24 PM
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a solid hour to 90mins.
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Old Jun 29, 2016 | 11:15 PM
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Depends if your old with nothing to do and you have OCD ...could be days..
I can do mine in about 30 to 60 minutes.
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Old Jun 30, 2016 | 02:12 PM
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I cut my bar into 3 equal pieces w/ a clean exacto type knife so I get more fresh bar on the surface. Just put the other cut pieces into a ziplock w/ some detailing spray squirted in there to keep it moist.
Like others have said, not long, about an hour give or take.
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 10:36 PM
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Depends on when it was last done, fallout in your area, brand of clay etc. Usually takes me 60-90 mins.

Last edited by MJaga; Jul 3, 2016 at 10:37 PM. Reason: dont know how to spell
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Old Jul 5, 2016 | 09:23 AM
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As others have mentioned, there is no set time required to clay a car. It depends on the amount of bonded contamination that is on your vehicle.

A car that has very little contamination will be much quicker and easier to clay than a car that is heavily contaminated.

In general, expect to spend 1 - 1.5 hours if using traditional clay and your car hasn't been clayed in a while. It could take longer, or it could be quicker.

We always recommend doing a light polish on the car after claying to remove any marring that may have incurred during the clay process.

-Zach
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Old Jul 8, 2016 | 11:56 AM
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Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

One of these Nanoskin clay mitts will knock your time down dramatically! I highly recommend one. Just make sure you at least wax or seal after like with any claying.
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Old Jul 8, 2016 | 12:35 PM
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100% agree on the Nanoskin mitt as JohnnyD said. Saves a ton of time and is reusable. You'll never have to buy clay again and if you drop the mitt you just wash it (unlike clay that would have to be thrown out).
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 08:57 AM
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One thing I always like to point out with products like the nanoskin is that while they do save a LOT of time, they also have a much higher chance of marring the paint (noticeable mostly on dark colors). We use these mitts on almost every car we work on because we polish every single one afterwards which will remove the marring left by the mitt.

If you do not plan on machine polishing the vehicle, I do recommend sticking with traditional fine grade clay as the risk of marring is much less.

-Zach
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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 12:12 AM
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Good point, I should have mentioned.

While I have had excellent results with the Nanoskin FINE mitt, I have experienced marring using other brand's MEDIUM mitts. I would like to add, in my findings, a fine mitt is usually enough to correct an average car and a medium mitt is not even needed.
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Old Nov 1, 2016 | 08:56 PM
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I've spend an hour plus doing my g35 and g37 sedan. its a pain, but gives great results
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Old Nov 6, 2016 | 06:56 PM
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From: s.e. okla.
Just clay bared my coupe, polished then wax. Car had been in Houston area since new and I've never used the clay bar before. Plus I'm a old guy. Anyways, overall about nine hours for the complete project. Did make a big difference though, it was amazing the crap attached to the surface. Now smooth as a babies bottom. Was worth the time to do it.
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