When considering whether to use a clay bar after driving from a car wash, there are a few important points to keep in mind based on discussions from the Auto Detailing community on Reddit.

1. Timing After Washing: It's generally recommended to use a clay bar after washing your car to remove embedded contaminants. If you drive your car for a short distance (like 15 minutes) after washing, it should still be clean enough for claying, provided you don't drive through dusty or dirty areas. However, it's best to clay bar on a cool surface and use plenty of lubricant to avoid scratching the paint.

2. Frequency of Claying: Most advice suggests using a clay bar about 2 to 4 times a year, depending on your environment. If your car is exposed to a lot of contaminants, you might need to do it more frequently.

3. Using Lubrication: Always use a lubricant (like a quick detail spray) when using a clay bar. This helps lift dirt and prevents the clay from sticking to the paint, which can cause scratches.

4. Wet vs. Dry Claying: Some users suggest that you can clay bar while the car is wet, but it's advisable to have a detail spray handy to keep the surface slick and dirt lifted.

Visual References

Here are some images related to the clay bar process that might help you visualize the steps: