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I have used Meguiars and I have also used Griot's Garage. Both worked very well. Griot's Garage has a whole line of nice products that can be found at Griot's Garage.
The only one I've ever used was "Mothers" California Gold. It is a kit, compleat with a spray lubricant. I thought it worked very well. I really only needed it for the rear of the car. I think it was about $15. Follow the directions and you'll have no problems. Good luck.
MB
__________________
MB
02 MINI Cooper S
95 BMW R1100RS
05 Mercedes C230 Kompressor
Mothers and ClayMagic are my two favorites...if you do a search at autopia.org you will find tons of people that use these two products. As someone earlier mentioned about the 3m one being large - don't waste a whole claybar if you get a large one - cut it up and just use smaller pieces(it is an autopian sin to use the whole claybar if it is large). Griots stuff while great is very very very very overpriced. I have used their clay, worked well, but think ClayMagic was the best. I love zaino products, but actually didn't really like the feel of their clay, and while it did a good job, It just seemed harder to fold and work with. Alot of the kits come with a special spray - those really aren't needed...a simple spritzer with water in it and just a few drops of a car wash soap works just as good and is cheaper then the sprays.
Wow, so many choices.
Did anyone buy theirs and use is specifically on black or a dark color?
That is my manin concern.
Dominic, don't you read your email?
My media should be in on Friday, or Monday. I can print on Monday or Tuesday.
So, by next weekend, you will be motorin in he shade!
I plan on doing mine as well.
We can make a time and do each. A graphic party
>> Did anyone buy theirs and use is specifically on black or a dark color?
I've never tried a clay bar before getting my MINI and it has no dark colors on it. I'm sure all clay bars will do the same thing. I really wouldn't think one was better than another.
>>Dominic, don't you read your email?
Oh, the one from last week? I mistook you for saying you'd have them in last Friday or today. My mistake. Won't happen again
>>We can make a time and do each. A graphic party
thanks for bringing that up Casey. I was tearing off small chunks of the 3M bar. I just brought up the size of the bar because the mothers bars are about 1/2" the size of the 3M. Just an observation. Either way, they work about the same (based on my experience anyway).
>> I love zaino products, but actually didn't really like the feel of their clay, and while it did a good job, It just seemed harder to fold and work with.
That's odd, I found the Zaino clay to be extra plyable and even left behind a couple of bits of itself. I clayed in the shade, but it was still about 108 F that day. So maybe the heat made it extra pliable.
Go with Mother's claybar system. Comes with lubricant. Doesn't break down like Zaino claybar. Don't forget to Dawn wash after claying. Top it off with Zaino Z2, Z6, Z5, Z6 & repeat. This is what it does on black (from previous Vette):
I'm sold! That is a sweet Vette. Looks like a mirror........
Claymagic looks like a winner.
What is the "Dawn wash"? Dishwashing soap?
Then finish up with Zaino Z2 then Z6 then Z5 then Z6. The repeat the Ziano process.
As long as I finish up like that Vette, I have nothing to complain about.
>>Alot of the kits come with a special spray - those really aren't needed...a simple spritzer with water in it and just a few drops of a car wash soap works just as good and is cheaper then the sprays.<<
Anyone care to back up this statement, or suggest anything else to use? I have an unused clay bar from Griot's because my bottle of lubricant froze and cracked last winter in the boot of my car. I don't want to pay $10 for the Griot's stuff if I can just use soap and water.
__________________ "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." - Tom Waits
All you are looking for is something to lubricate the clay a bit without making it too lubricated as so it just slides over the contaminents your trying to remove with the clay. I have noticed zero differences between a bit of zaino car wash and water verse the sprays that come with the claybars...they both work just fine. Don't waste the money on another bottle of the spray...but if you have some then it is fine to use.
A clarification on an earlier post of mine on here - the zaino claybar does leave stuff behind...it crumbles...but i don't fine it easy to work with...it goes from very hard and then after working with it a bit it goes straight to crumbles....not a nice firm yet stretchy composition. The mothers, claymagic, griots, etc that I have tried all seem to crumble less but remain very elastic which makes it easy for folding over etc.
When storing your clay you should spray it with a bit of the spray that came with it or some car wash / water mixture slighty then seal back up in its container or a plastic bag with twisty.
This week I will be trying the Autosol claybar and spray - I'll let you guys know what I think...Autosol is OE for BMW and Mercs....not sure if it is the same stuff that MINI uses but I'm guessing it may very well be.
sorry but I've never personally used the Wizards claybar - i would do a search on the Autopia.org forums - you have to sign up and be logged in to see all the good forums so make sure you do that - I'm sure you will find a ton of people over there that have used it and could compare it to other claybars out there..
I have used Griot Clay Bar for over a year. I find Griot to have high quality products. Their Speed Shine is the lubricant which works extremely well as quick way to clean the car when you don't want to wash it. Don't think the clay bar is going to remove tar,bird droppings or sap from trees. I live in a rural area with clean air and not many contaminents get on my paint thus a little clay bar goes a long way. One bit of caution the car needs to be cool to the touch.
I'm about to try the clay bar thing for the first time (Part 1 of a coordinated attack on tenacious water spots on a black Mini...).
This is an old thread so has anything changed as far as brand recommendations?
I'm thinking 3M would be a safe bet but I feel a little silly spending 30 bucks for a lump of clay! Is there something about this stuff which justifies this price other than the logo?
Can anyone tell me why is it necessary to "Dawn wash" the car after claybar application?
That appears to be a Zaino thing only. Is it also necessary with other products?
I use Klasse AIO and SG.
Dawn wash (yes, the detergent) is required to strip existing wax from car. Make sure to Dawn wash after clay process as well.
Good luck, you won't regret all the prep work!
Dawn wash is indeed what is used to strip the wax off the car, for instance in prep for a whole new routine such as Zaino, Klasse, etc. It promotes the initial bond to the surface.
But why do you insist on doing a Dawn wash after claying? It's really not necessary. You can easily remove any excess clay residue with any quality shanpoo. In fact, if you are lubing clay properly, you will have almost no residue at all. Lubing with shampoo is more effective than using QD, by the way.
Claying is something you can do periodically throughout the year for any spot touch ups. If you had to Dawn wash and rewax your car everytime you clayed you would be needlessy wasting a lot of time. Just wanted to clarify.
I have used Mothers, Zaino, ClayMagic, 3M, Pinnacle, and a host of others I have forgotten. Zaino is my favorite. Mothers is also fine. The new Perfect Shine detailing clay also works great. Meguiars is the only one I really dislike. It leaves too much residue.
__________________ Bloomquist Garage! '04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit! My Other Rides.
