Q: What is the truth about clear coat? How long does it last and should it be reapplied if you keep your car? Is it OK to clay-bar and wax? Is there a line of cleaning waxing products you like?

–– Paul Y. San Ramon, Ca

A: I'm probably the last person you should ask about this as I am terribly neglectful about maintaining the cosmetics of the family vehicles. A gravel driveway, oak tree sap, constant fir needles, and dog schlepping present challenges beyond my bandwidth. I checked around with some folks much more knowledgeable than I.

Clear coat is a second layer of paint applied over the base coat, which contains color and perhaps metallic particles. This is known as a two-stage paint job, which is more durable and easier to maintain, and more work to apply than a single stage paint that has the color and sheen integrated. Sun and environmental fallout are clear coat enemies. In severe cases the clear coat can haze or flake off, and there's no good fix other than a full-on repaint job.

The clay bar cleaning process removes contaminants from paint, glass, and chrome much better than a typical polish and is not difficult to do. This is a professional detailer's method and is highly popular with vehicle owners who have tried it. The bar is used on a freshly washed vehicle in conjunction with a Speed Shine or Quick Detailer liquid, which primarily serves as a lubricant. One check to see if a clay bar treatment would be beneficial is to place a sandwich baggie over your hand and rub your fingers across the paint or glass surface. If it feels rough or gritty, some detailing is needed!

Tips for performing a successful clay bar treatment include working in the shade, leaving the car wet after the wash and rinse, and being sure to clean and scrape, or discard a clay bar that falls to the ground. Any clay scuff marks will come off easily during the polishing or waxing process to follow.

To achieve a mirror-like finish, polishing is the next step, if desired.

Finally, a protective coating of quality paste wax. Waxing a bit of work, but well worth it. Touch-up and spray liquid wax can extend waxing intervals.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Brad Bergholdt is an automotive technology instructor at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, Calif. Readers may send him email at bradbergholdt@gmail.com; he cannot make personal replies.