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

By Levi Gates- IDA CD-SV,RIT 

Director of Automotive Appearance  

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 washing my Hyundai Ioniq 5. It’s coated in a very durable, very slick, professional coating with a 10 year warranty. After a wash through the Autowash automatic, I 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, like sandpaper. 

Not just a little texture, gritty, like something was sitting on top of the surface and not letting go. That’s not what 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 our best 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 the last 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:

Grab a regular Ziploc bag, slide your hand inside, and gently rub it across your clean paint, after its been washed and dried. 

You’ll instantly feel rough spots and tiny bumps that your bare hand can’t detect. It’s simple, cheap, and eye-opening.

That’s the fallout we’re talking about and that’s what clay is designed to remove. 

What About Coated or Wrapped Cars? 

Good question. They need this service too! 

Coated Paint 

• Fallout still lands on top and interferes with hydrophobic properties. 

PPF (Paint Protection Film) 

• Same story. Contamination clings to the film’s surface. 

Uncoated Paint/OEM Finish 

• You’re even more exposed. Fallout starts eating into the clear coat over time if it’s not removed. 

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 Showroom Storefront, you’ll find everything you need to clay your car at home: 

• Autowash Clay Eraser Pad – reusable, easy to hold, safe on all surfaces 

• Autowash Complete Clean Detail Spray – doubles as a clay lubricant and a gloss-boosting quick detailer

  
  

If you’ve never clayed a car before, we’ll show you how. Seriously, just ask us! That’s what we’re here for! 

Don’t Feel like You Want to do it Yourself? 

Our Classic and Incredible Detail packages both include fallout removal as part of the service. 

We’ll clay your vehicle, restore that smooth feel, and get your protection back to full performance whether it’s a ceramic coating, PPF, or an OEM finish. 

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. 

Then stop by the Showroom—we’ll either gear you up to clay at home or take care of it for you, front to back. 

Your coating will thank you! Your paint will thank you, and your eyes? They’ll see the difference!  

Book your spot today at the Autowash Showroom!