First time clay bar user... wow!
 

So, like the title says, I clay barred (clayed?) my car for the first time today, and I REALLY like the result. The paint feels much smoother and is absolutely crystal clear. This is the first nice/new car I've owned, so I'm trying to put in a lot of effort to keep her looking brand spanking new. It's a LOT of work though... took almost 3 hours to do a wash and a clay. Didn't mind at all, although I did run out of daylight by the time I was done, and couldn't wax her. Question time:

1. Will it be OK to wax the car tomorrow, even though I washed and clayed today? She's parked in the garage for the night.
2. I bought the clay in a Meguiar's kit which came with some "quick detailer" spray thing (this kit: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Smooth-Surface-Clay-Kit/dp/B00063X7KG"]Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]). The instructions said to spray, clay and wipe. Is the spray necessary? I did find it easier to clay with the spray than without, but is it OK to leave out that extra step?

I'm no detailer, but my understanding is that the quick detailer spray is a lubricant for the clay to pick up the contamination from the paint...

1. Yes, it should be fine to wax the car tomorrow assuming it isn't exposed to anything until then.

2. As the poster above me said, that is the lubricant for the clay bar. Do not leave that step out. I normally wet the clay in my hand with the detailer, then spray a little over the spot I'm working, and then add more to the car if necessary.

Lubricant is necessary for clay barring or anything you are touching the car with. I like to spray the entire car with detail spray before drying mine to prevent scratching.

I might be a stickler for detailing but I like to do the wash-claybar-wax in one go . I wouldn't suggest waxing the car even if garaged for the day. You spent the time to claybar why not do a quick wash before waxing.

This is probably the best answer. Quick wash definitely won't hurt.

Quick question, is it ok to wax a car when it is wet, or should you always dry the car before attempting to put wax on?

I wet the clay with spray, then wet my hands, then pick up the clay and form it into a flat shape. Then I spray the part of the car I am working on before using the clay. Wetting my hands with detail spray helps keep the clay from sticking to them. When the clay spreads out too much from use, I respray my hands if necessary and fold and shape the clay again for another round.

I have been using this clay for years:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

Dry the car first

Griots products are expensive but damn, I've never used nothing better. I love them!

Thanks for all the great answers and suggestions guys!

Interesting... I will definitely try that next time.

I wanted to do everything in one go, but it was getting too dark too quickly while I was clay barring and I've got too much crap in my garage to move around the car to wax indoors. And I was running out of clean microfiber towels. Apparently you can't have enough of those! Hopefully it's not too rainy tomorrow to do a quick once-over wash and a wax, like you suggest. Stupid ADD Georgia weather...

Alright guys, another noob question:

It's also my first time waxing. Is there a maximum time I should keep wax on the car? Will it have any negative affects on the paint or anything? It's taking me forever to get around the car buffing out the wax, and I was just wondering about this.

do a panel at a time and wax need to sit long enough to haze over the product you use should tell you the necessary time to let sit. Id recommend checking out the adams youtube videos

^what he said. If I'm applying wax by hand, I normally do each panel and by the time everything is done, the first panel I did is hazed over and ready to be buffed. With the random orbital I finish everything and let it sit for a while before buffing.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXopfjk7ZS8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXopfjk7ZS8[/ame]

Done.

Don't need spray wax, save your money!