Ok. I spent about 6 hours yesterday washing and claying my car. This is my first time doing anything like this and it took me a while to get the hang of the process. Well, I had time restraints, so I figured I would finish the project today (including AIO and SG; don't own a PC), but noticed that I was not as thorough with the clay as I could have been. I clayed a couple of spots I had already done, and clean white showed through. Now I know I have made some progress, so if I wait a couple of days so I won't be pressed for time to finish the job, will the progress with the clay be undone? Will a few days without a sealer or anything make it so the ground in dirt will build up again?

I don't think the progress will be undone, but new dirt will undoubtedly be embedded. If I understand the situation correctly, every time you drive the car, new dirt will be embedded. I think of it as a continuous process where new dirt is constantly added, and every now and then you stop and clean most of it off.

You might try cleaning one panel at a time, doing the best you can. Then add a selant to that panel. When you get time, do another panel. Maybe one panel each evening. Eventually you'll get it all done.

The AIO and SG will last a long time. It is, however, important that the paint be in the best possible condition before you use the sealant.

Good Luck.

ok thank you

Your progress won't be undone. It will take time for new contamination to imbed itself in the paint to the point where you will notice it. Go ahead and take your time. You'll be ok.

Is that one panel per day thing a good idea? Claying was much harder and much more overwhelming than I thought it would be. No matter how much I get on, there's always more. And I have a car with fairly well cared for paint. Maybe it's just because it's white.

You could always do one panel completely and then move to the next; just clay, AIO/SG one section. That way you'll completely protect one area. I'm guessing it's taking so long because the car's seriously oxidized and you're having to do that many passes before it smooths the paint out. You may want to think about getting a PC and a cutting pad as that with AIO will remove most of the oxidation fairly easily (probally looking at maybe 4 hrs for the whole car). It comes down to what's your time worth?

Like hal said, tackle the oxidation first before claying (assuming you have oxidation). If your paint is dull and chalky, then it is oxidized. If you don't have a PC then apply some aio to a terry covered foam applicator and work it into the surface well. It will take you some time. You may want to do each section at a time like this:

1. Wash (if panel is not already clean)
2. AIO to remove oxidation
3. Clay to remove contamination
4. AIO again to finish up the cleaning process
5. SG

ok thank you for your help guys. I'll try a bit of the ol' AIO before claying

ok, this may sound simple of me, but what is the difference between oxidation and contamination?

Contamination is foreign matter on the paint, in this case, dirt embedded in the paint.

Oxidation is a defect of the paint itself. The piant will be, as David said, dull and chalky.

Like Steve said, contamination is just embedded dirt that washing alone cannot remove. Oxidation is not necesarily a paint defect, it's rather a characteristic of paint that has been neglected (not polished in a long time).

gotcha. I'll let you know how it turns out.

ok, this may sound simple of me, but what is the difference between oxidation and contamination?

Oxidation is the bonding of oxygen to the original compound/element. For instance, Iron when it oxidizes forms Iron Oxide (rust); Aluminium forms Aluminium Oxide (whiteish). Paint when it oxidizes becomes chalky feeling and dull as if a layer of chalk was put over it. Oxidation requires the presence of an oxidizing agent (oxygen in the case of paint) so when you wax/seal your car, you're putting a shield between the paint and the oxygen in the air. Polishing just removes the oxidation, it does NOT protect the paintwork. You must wax or seal your paint to protect it.

Contamination on the other hand is something that is introduced ONTO the car. It does not bond elementally to or chemically alter the paint. It is embedded in the paintwork.