Hey all...is there any harm in not claying a new car? My wife just got a new ride and the paint is in great shape surprisingly. This is the first car we've gotten that's not hacked up. In any case, I'd still like to remove the LSP that the dealer aplied, polish it out with 85RD and seal it. I always clay a car when I polish, but this time I'm afraid I'm going to mar it more than the 85rd can overcome. Any harm in skipping the clay step here and doing it after the summer when there will be lots of bugs and road contamination on there?? Thanks!
Claying a new car is ideal to remove rail dust and other bonded contaminants from transit. I'd do it personally.
I wouldn't do a full detail without it. I just got a new car in January and my clay bar was pretty grimy when I was done. Like Mindflux said there are bonded contaminants from rail dust, it sitting outside on the lot and being in an industrial are amost likely for an extended time. I wouldn't start polishing without doing it.
You can always do the plastic bag test to check but I would clay if possible. I'm still surprised what it can pull out despite it feeling smooth.
If you clay and create damage more than 85rd could handle, you should have done something wrong with claying. I would still do a quick claying even if the condition is good, chances are you will pick up some contaminates somewhere.
