Claying alone should not be thin-ing your clear coat.
When claying, the clay is suppose to be gliding on top of your clear coat with ample of lubrication. However once there is gritty contaminant sticking to your clay bar, that is when it starts to damage/mar your paint.
From my observation of using PG Clay 3 and 2 (the white one and the blueish one), The blueish one does not mar the paint but the white one (Clay no.3) will mar if not taken care of properly during usage.
By proper care, I mean the following:
- ensure enough lubrication on the surface and clay
- check on the clay after every 1 X 1 feet clayed.
- Remove any gritty contaminant if found.
The above are among the precaution i take when using clay no.3.
Izso,
I use ONR as lubricant. I mix it around 3 caps for 750ml. After claying one panel, I usually run it thru with water and move on to another panel. Once all panels are done, I give it a wash again.
Yes, ONR will streak if left to dry. But the streaking can easily be washed off.
Droll,
There is no such thing as over claying but there is something call over-rajin/ over-caring/ over-semangat.
Depending on your location and frequency of wash, claying can be done on a monthly or half-yearly basis.
You only need to clay when you feel that the surface is no longer smooth and gritty to the touch.
Having a smooth surface = longer durability of spray on wax *not to mention the ultra smooth feel it gives*.
So like what bro cvkit suggests, its better to wax after every wash.... or after every two three washes instead of claying.
My own car, 2 years old and have done the below:
- Clayed once
- Washed every week, at most also wash every two weeks when I am really too busy or tired.
- Waxed only when necessarily (bout once every 2 months or so)
- Sealed once every 6 months or so.
I apply the sealant more frequently on the windscreen as compare to my car paint.
Hope this helps you. And I would like to say again.... clay after every wash.... damn man, you are dedicated.