When you use a clay towel during car detailing, it’s designed to remove surface contaminants such as industrial fallout, overspray, and brake dust that regular washing can’t eliminate. But many car owners wonder: Do you need to polish afterward?

The answer depends on your detailing goals, paint condition, and the grade of clay towel used.

Yes, it is generally recommended to polish your car after using a clay towel.

The clay towel helps remove contaminants from the surface of the paint, leaving it smooth but potentially marred or lightly scratched. Polishing after using a clay towel helps to restore the shine and remove any minor imperfections that may have been introduced during the claying process.

Here are the steps to follow:

Wash and Dry: Thoroughly wash and dry your car to remove any loose dirt and debris.
Clay Towel: Use the clay towel with a suitable lubricant to remove bonded contaminants.
Polish: Apply a car polish to remove any marring or fine scratches and to restore the paint's shine.
Seal or Wax: Finish with a sealant or wax to protect the polished surface and enhance the shine.

Following these steps will ensure your car's paint looks its best after using a clay towel.

Better than Clay Blocks: Constructed with microfiber on one side and high-tech polymerized rubber coating on the other side. If you drop the Clay Bar, it’s pretty much game over, with the Clay Cloth, it’s as simple as a rinse and starts again.
Multi-Functional: Clay Cloth can be used to Clay your vehicle, easily remove surface contaminants, such as ingrained dirt, brake dust, light rust, bugs, tree sap, pollen, without scratching the paint. The microfibre backing will not scratch paints, coats, or other surfaces, and can be used for a variety of other uses.
Easy to Use: clay clothes don't need any special lubricant, they do a reasonably competent job just using water. The surface allows for effortless gliding over automotive paintwork when used in conjunction with warm water and car shampoo.
Reusable: Repeated Usage up to 50-100 cars more depending on the dirty level on the car paint. And it can be cleaned and reused by simply rinsing with clean water.

How a Clay Towel Works

A clay towel combines a microfiber base with a rubberized polymer coating that gently shears off bonded contaminants from the paint surface. It’s faster and more reusable than traditional clay bars, making it popular among professionals and enthusiasts alike.

BrilliaTech’s SGS, ISO, and BSCI-certified clay towels are:

Safe on clear coat with minimal marring when used correctly.
Durable and reusable for up to 40–60 vehicles.
Compatible with both professional detailing shops and home use.

When You Should Polish After Clay Towel

Polishing after claying isn’t always mandatory, but in these cases, it’s highly recommended:

1. Visible Micro-Marring

Even high-quality clay towels can leave light micro-marring if used with aggressive grades or insufficient lubrication. A finishing polish restores gloss and smoothness.

2. Before Applying Paint Protection

If you plan to apply ceramic coating, wax, or sealant, polishing ensures maximum bonding by leveling out minor imperfections.

3. On Older or Oxidized Paint

A polish can revive faded paint, bringing out depth and color richness that claying alone won’t achieve.

When You Can Skip Polishing

If your paint is relatively new, in good condition, and you’ve used a fine-grade BrilliaTech clay towel with plenty of lubrication, you can often skip polishing and go straight to protection.

BrilliaTech Clay Towel – The Professional Choice

Unlike generic options, BrilliaTech clay towels are manufactured in a factory with SGS, ISO, and BSCI certifications, ensuring:

International quality standards for material durability and performance.
Ethical, socially responsible manufacturing processes.
Consistency and reliability in every product shipped.

This makes them a trusted choice for professional detailers and premium car wash businesses worldwide.

Step-by-Step: Clay Towel & Polishing Workflow

Step 1 – Wash Thoroughly

Remove loose dirt to avoid dragging particles across the paint.

Step 2 – Clay Towel Treatment

Use BrilliaTech clay towel with a clay lubricant or soapy water, working in straight lines.

Step 3 – Paint Inspection

Check under good lighting for micro-marring or haze.

Step 4 – Optional Polish

If imperfections are found, use a finishing polish with a dual-action polisher.

Step 5 – Protection

Seal the paint with wax, sealant, or ceramic coating for long-lasting shine.

FAQ – Polishing After Clay Towel

Q1: Does every clay towel require polishing after use?

Not necessarily. With high-quality products like BrilliaTech’s fine-grade clay towel, polishing is optional if the paint is in excellent condition.

Q2: Will skipping polish affect ceramic coating durability?

Yes. While claying removes contaminants, polishing maximizes coating adhesion and overall gloss.

Q3: Can I hand-polish instead of machine polishing?

Yes. Hand polishing works for light marring, but a machine polisher is faster and more effective for full correction.

Q4: How long does a BrilliaTech clay towel last?

With proper care, up to 40–60 uses, depending on contamination level and storage conditions.

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