Why You Should Clay Your Car Every 6 Months (Yes, Even If It’s Coated)

By Dylan von Kleist 

VP of Sales & Marketing  

It’s getting warmer and people are washing their cars more frequently, but you are probably wondering why after a few washes, your car isn’t nearly as shiny as it should be? Or you’ve started to notice little orange, red, and black dots on the surface of your white, silver or gold car? Maybe when drying with a towel it seems a bit rough, not smooth and slick?

I was reminded of this the other day while helping a friend care for his Hyundai Ioniq 5. It has a ceramic coating and after a wash through the Autowash automatic, he dried it off like usual… but something felt off? Normally it’s a breeze! It wasn’t smooth and that’s a problem, the paint didn’t feel slick like it should. It felt rough, almost like very fine sandpaper. As we ran our hands over the surface it was obvious something was sitting on top of the surface and not letting go. That’s not what ceramic coated paint should feel like. Not after a proper wash wash, an Autowash wash, and not with the coating doing its thing underneath. 

I already knew what the culprit was: bonded contamination. Otherwise known as fallout.  

What Is Fallout and Why Is It a Problem?

Fallout is contamination made up of microscopic particles like brake dust, rail dust, and airborne industrial pollution. It floats in the air, gets kicked up by traffic, and lands right on your car…where it stays.  And if you’re here in Denver or anywhere for that matter, you’re getting hammered from every angle: Brake dust flying off every car on I-70, 25, 225 and 470. Pollution and metallic debris from rail lines, factories, refineries and high-altitude winds carrying in everything from pollen to paint-dulling particles. 

Even the best Autowash wash won’t remove all of this stuff. It bonds to the surface and slowly chokes out your shine. 

I’ve been teaching, training, and educating Detailers and Car Care professionals all over the world for nearly 30 years, and even I was caught off guard by fallout! It happens to all of us. 

How to Tell If You Have Fallout on Your Paint

Here’s a simple test anyone can do:

Try the Baggie Trick:

We call this "The Fallout Finder"! Grab a regular Ziploc bag, slide your hand inside, and gently rub it across your clean paint, after its been washed and dried of course.

You’ll instantly feel rough spots and tiny bumps that your bare hand can’t detect. It’s simple, cheap, and eye-opening. The layer of plastic between your skin and the surface helps to magnify whats there to help you feel it. If your car is free of fallout the bag will feel like it is sliding over a smooth surface. If it isn't, it will be obvious! That’s the fallout we’re talking about and that’s what clay is designed to remove. 

What About Ceramic Coated or Wrapped Cars? 

Good question. They need this service too! 

Ceramic coated Paint 

• Fallout still lands on top and interferes with hydrophobic properties. The coating helps keep some stuff from sticking, but not everything.

PPF (Paint Protection Film)  or Clear Bra

• Same story here. Contamination clings to the film’s surface, making it rough and even worse possibly causing discoloration or yellowing.

Raw Automotive Paint/OEM Finish 

• You’re even more exposed. Fallout starts eating into the clear coat over time if it’s not removed. Heat and time excaserbate the issue, allowing it to embed further and form stronger bonds with the surface.

Every car needs claying!. The protection you’ve added doesn’t stop fallout from landing; it just makes it a bit easier to remove when you decide to clay it. 

So, Why Clay every 6 Months? 

• Because fallout builds up faster than you think, and because the environment is harsh on cars. 

• Claying keeps your coating, film, or paint feeling like it should, slick, smooth, and protected!  

  
  

Think of it like flossing. Washing is great. But claying gets the stuff stuck between the teeth. I try to do it twice a year and time it between seasons. Before winter hits, an excuse to bump up protection, and in spring summer, once the weather warms up. 

Want to DIY It? We Can Help! 

At the Autowash we've teamed up with the pros over at Adam's Polishes to create a kit you can use to clay your car at home. We take it a step further and include a professional grade Graphene Sealant, towels, and detailed video instructions so even if you're new to the process you'll feel like a veteran detailer in your home garage.

GET YOUR DIY CLAY & SEAL KIT

Just remember these things: 

• Fallout is sneaky.  

• It’s invisible, until your paint feels like sandpaper. 

• You notice the car just isn’t cleaning up like it used too, or it’s not as shiny. 

• Do the bag test. Feel it for yourself. 

So regardless of what you use to protect your car; wax, sealant, coating, or just hopes and dreams, your paint will thank you!