Do You Need to Clay Your Car Before Every Polish?
It’s one of the most common questions in detailing: “Do I really need to clay my car before I polish it?”
The short answer: Yes—most of the time. But there are a few situations where you might not need to.
Why Clay Before Polish?
Claying removes bonded contaminants that washing alone can’t. These include brake dust, tree sap, fallout, and industrial grime that cling to the clear coat.
If you don’t remove them before polishing, you can:
- ❌ Grind those contaminants into your paint
- ❌ Cause micro-marring and new swirl marks
- ❌ Reduce polishing pad effectiveness
When You MUST Clay Before Polishing:
- ✅ You’ve never decontaminated the vehicle before
- ✅ It’s been more than 3–6 months since your last decon
- ✅ The paint feels rough after washing
- ✅ You see black/orange specks (iron deposits)
When You Might Not Need to Clay:
- ✔️ You recently clayed the paint and it’s still glass-smooth
- ✔️ The car is stored indoors and driven sparingly
- ✔️ You’re only doing a very light finishing polish
How to Clay Safely Before Polishing
- Wash with The Super Soaper to remove surface grime (Amazon)
- Use a clay mitt or clay bar with proper lubricant
- Wipe dry with Everyday Microfiber Towels
Then Polish With Confidence
Now that the surface is clean and smooth, you can polish knowing you’re not introducing new damage. For best results, follow with a high-quality one-step polish like Picture Perfect Polish (Coming Soon).
Don’t Forget Protection After Polishing
Seal in your results with Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray—adds gloss, slickness, and water-beading in minutes. Buy on Amazon
Related Blog Posts
- How to Tell If Your Paint Needs Decontamination
- How to Clay Bar Your Car (And Why It’s a Game Changer)
Watch how to clay bar your car:
Claying before polishing isn’t just about being thorough—it’s about being safe. Skipping it when you shouldn’t can undo all your hard work and damage your paint.
Use Jimbo’s Detailing products to prep like a pro, polish with confidence, and protect what you’ve corrected.
