the griots tech was using a huge clump of clay too... like the entire
package. i would use maybe no more than a half-dollar
size clump on my cars and pull out a new piece when it gets contaminated.

 

I've used Clay Magic and Sonus. Clay Magic was much more effective at getting gunk off the boot. Sonus leaves a lot of stuff behind. Either way I've been using the Clay Magic lubricant.

 

Sonus clay is evil.

 

I would recommend Griot's, but I should say that I've only used Zaino clay and Griot's clay.

You use latex or vinyl gloves with Griot's. The Griot's clay is softer and more pliant than Zaino's clay. The Griot's is a pleasure to use--- easier to make good contact without the feeling that you're damaging the paint. And, with any clay, it's hard to dismiss the feeling that you may be making things worse, and, in fact, if you aren't careful, you will. In that regard, I think the softer the clay, the better...

 

I'm a "sens"ual guy. Touchy Feely if you will with my hands. I couldn't imagine claying a car while wearing gloves. You want to be able to feel the paint and the immediate improvement you make as you clay so you know when to stop claying or where needs more emphasis. Held properly you can feel the paint and clay at the same time. Plus it just feels sooooooo good. Ok I better get off...err leave the computer now.

 

I think OG needs his clay kneaded.

 

Yes I have kneads, but I don't think I'm too needy!

 

You're right, I mean, who wants to wear rubber, it's just not the same, dammit...

But aren't you concerned about absorbing that chemical-clay stuff through your skin? It's like most automotive goop (oil, grease, cleaners, etc.)... I don't like handling it directly, because chances are it will find its way into my bloodstream... but perhaps I'm just a chemophobe.

Maybe I need to be more open-minded...

 

Hmm, the clay I use isn't runny or ozzing.. I mean it's a semi hard lump of sticky stuff. I guess I wasn't concerned. Having come from the skin care industry I know that many things that we put on our skin really doesn't get absorbed as much as it gets "stuck" in the skin due to the size of the molecules not being small enough to fully penetrate the different levels of the skin and enter the blood stream. But I'm not a doctor, so I don't really know.

Clay never bothered me, not like brake fluid and other very bad chemicals do!

Richard

 

Any suggestions for which brand or grade to use for claying wheels?

btw, thanks for a very well written tutorial, Heather!

 

Yep, the clay that fell on the ground but you didn't throw away! Wheels and glass can be clayed with the same clay that's used for paint-but it's a little less picky about how clean it is--since those surfaces don't scratch as easily as paint does.

 

That's what I do!

But I was thinking a more "aggressive" grade, if that's the correct word, might be better since brake dust is more tenaciously attached to wheels than contaminants are to paint (I'm assuming).

In the spirit of using otherwise discardable clay, I'm willing to buy a more aggressive clay and let it fall to the ground before using it on the wheels...

 

Some people like to use wheel wax on their wheels, I just prefer to QD them. Provides lubrication and protection--future wipings can be done with a dry mf towel. An aggressive clay has the potential to scour your painted wheels and that may not be desirable.

 

OK, thanks. I'll heed your advice and continue to use the same clay.

I've been using the same polymer finish I use for the paintwork on the wheels. I've read lots of posts on various car sites about a special wax for wheels (Rejex?) but haven't tried it yet. The polymer stuff on the wheels has been just so-so...

 

for wheels try WheelShield. stuff is real nice. very long lasting
protection. im using hydro on my MCS and G and it too provide sufficient
protection that i can see. i use Hydro on the wheels after every 2 apps
of slick.

 

Where do you get this?

 

It's a Prima product

http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...20061202164230

 

I clayed today for the first time, using that Mother's kit. Don't look down on me too much, my car needed attention and I had to shop local today. I ended up waxing it with the included materials, and it really looks good. All short of 5 hours.

I stopped short of using the (well-intentioned co-worker's) Walmart buffer. I can get the pc at work for around $125 and he said to use his. My magnet problem of recent had cleared itself up, thank goodness, so no drastic measues were needed. The finish feels Great! And yes, I hearkened on tips I'd found in this forum. Used the peanut oil and everything. Thanks everybody!

 

+1, YAK hate that stuff, worst clay ever