Just wanted some opinions on clays available. I'd like to use clay for the first time on my month old AB/MCS to remove anything on the surface from the factory/dealership and I'd like to clay for the first time our 5 year old SUV. I'd like to use an extremely fine, almost non-abrasive clay for the MCS but, I'm sure that the truck will need something more abrasive but, not overly so. Any real world experience with the clays out there? Also, most vendors say to only use their "clay lubricant", do I really need that or can I just use a QD spray or soapy water mix?

 

Detailers Paradise clay works well, and they are a sponsor.

You will get differing views on which clay work better, but they mostly work the same. The DP clay is not abrasive and should not hurt any paint if used according to directions.

I have done many cars and QD spray is what I like. I have tried soapy water mix but like QD spray better, and any good QD will do.

 

+1 on the DP clay. I've used it several times now and have never had a problem with it getting sticky unlike the Sonus clay or grainy like the Zaino clay. I usually use wash water with Mystique in it for lub. Some will say the DP clay is too stiff, but I didn't think so.

 

I use the meguiars clay, just because it is readily availible at local stores. It gets the job done.

 

I use DP clay and meg maroon bottle QD.

 

I use Megs clay and QD bottle....Just did my spring clean yesterday and it looks great ( I have an AB too)

 

Thanks for the support, thulchatt!

I agree... overall clay is clay. I'll elaborate on that in a second.

Our clay is what is considered a "fine" grade clay and won't harm your paint as long as you use a lube spray and don't press on it too hard. And, if you do accidentally scuff your paint with clay by neglecting to do one of the aforementioned things, it is very easy (even for the complete novice) to buff out with a medium-level abrasive, such as Prima Swirl, Megs Scratch-X or the like.

Lube sprays of any brand work just as well as another. QDs are preferred by some, although some of the highly-concentrated QDs (like Slick) can be overkill with the lubricants, thereby slightly diminishing the clay's effectiveness. Some people, especially newbies, prefer a concentrated QD like Slick simply because it gives them a comfort zone with the extra lubricity. Others will just dilute QDs like Slick when they use it as a lube spray (which is also more economical).

Bottom line: You don't have to use a certain brand's lube spray no matter what they tell you. I promise.

-Heather

 

Clay may be clay except for Sonus brand clay. I like some of their products but run, don't walk, away from Sonus clay It took me 4X as long as it should have to clay my MINI using their clay & I was exhausted afterwards (& I was using their recommended QD with it)

 

Ok, now for an elaboration on clay... regarding it's similarities and differences between brands, as well as some other info you probably don't even care to know.

Clay History & The Patent Wars
Up until several years ago now, all clay in the U.S. (and most of the world) was manufactured by 2 companies: Kucala Enterprises and Auto Magic (now Auto Wax). You may recognize the similarity between the name Auto Magic and Clay Magic... this is because Clay Magic is their own private label.

All the clay you could find out there was made by one or the other, although it was private labeled under umpteen zillion names. The colors varied between the two manufacturers and private labels, as did the grades (read: abrasiveness) and sizes. In addition, some of the bigger companies with a private label of clay would request slight "handling" variations for their clay to distinguish it from others. Handling variations are things like the pliability and stickiness.

Several years ago (maybe 3, really), Auto Magic sued Kucala over the clay patent. The lawsuit went back and forth as they tend to do, and much money hemmoraged out of both companies. Unfortunately, Kucala appeared to be financially hit the hardest by this as it was the smaller (and friendlier, IMO) of the two companies. At the end of it all, Auto Magic reigned triumphant.

Today, Auto Magic, aka Auto Wax, has exclusive rights to making detailing clay and thus produces all of it.

Today's Clay
Auto Wax still private labels for umpteen zillion brands/companies and still makes standard color, grade, and size variations, as well as more specific variations such as handling variations. They have been recently decreasing the number of overall variations in order to increase their manufacturing efficiencies.

Also, from what I'm told Auto Magic really prefers that only fine grade clay be available to the general public and detailing enthusiast. As such, they have been slowly phasing out the availability of the medium and heavy grades of clay, except to the professional community. So more and more, you will only find fine grade clay.

The difference between fine and medium grades of clay is really just time, IMO. In other words, the medium is not so much more abrasive that it is what I would call more dangerous or anything like that. Rather, it is just abrasive enough that in a side-by-side comparison between fine and medium, the medium would achieve the same goal more quickly. Bottom line: You should have no fear with either fine or medium grade, despite Auto Magic's stance on the topic. Just follow the instructions in both cases.

Conclusions
Although you will find certain kinds of variations in clay, ultimately they all do the same thing and one will do so just as well as the other... because they are all made using the same patent and by the same manufacturer.
You may find you have a preference for a certain color or handling though. For example, light colors are nice so you can see the amount of gunk in your clay so you know when to throw it out. Some people like it sticky so they won't drop it. Others find stickiness an annoyance. etc, etc, etc.

At the end of the day, clay is a wonderful tool and no clay brand will do you wrong.

That concludes my clay teachings for the day.

-Heather

 

Heather if one company makes all the clay including the Sonus clay that I hate, do you think it was the Sonus brand of Clay Lubricant that made my experience soooo bad

 

It's hard to say, but maybe? If the lube spray is too lubie (has too much lubricity) then it can take longer to clay. The clay is overly suspended above the paint and thus far from the gunk it's trying to remove. In most cases though, lube sprays tend not to have this problem (only QDs sometimes). Possibly you used too much lube while you clayed??

It could be that the Sonus clay is of a super-duper fine grade. (sorry for all the odd words I'm using today... it's hot in my office and I think it's making me goofy!) I haven't heard of Auto Wax making such a grade but you never know. If you pay someone enough money, they're likely to do anything for you.

So, it's really hard to say for sure but those are some of my thoughts.

-Heather

 

Excellent explanation Heather. Let me just add that Meguiar's Professional Clay comes in blue (mild) or red (aggressive). The mild is more aggressive than the consumer Quik Clay system but it still won't mar your finish. How much faster is an aggresive clay? Well the blue clay will work about twice as fast, and sometimes faster to remove the same contaminants. Sometimes you need the red clay but only if you are comfortable removing the equivalent of sanding scratches. The paint will get dull and scoured when using the red clay, so don't use it, unless you have a good reason too and know how to restore the finish after using it!

As many know, while clay is clay is clay, the Prima Clay I ordered is extremely stiff, compared to the Meguiar's clay. Maybe I got a bad batch, but I've shown it to several NAMers who agreed that the clay took more effort to knead than Meguiar's clays, to the point of making our fingers hurt!

I'm going to bring what's left to Heather at MOTD so we can do some comparisons. Anyone that wants to buy it after our tests is welcome to it.

Richard

 

I have used the Meguiar's clay & QD before & it worked marvelously. I may have used too much Sonus lube when I clayed because I used the whole bottle on one cabrio but the less lube I used, the more the clay left claystreaks on the MINI. It was awful, miserable, horrible stuff. Their clay was soooo sticky it would not just stick to your hands a little bit. It would stick like when you step on a piece of chewing gum & it sticks to your shoe while still remaining stuck to the pavement on a hot humid summer day

I guess I am trying to say the Sonus clay system is awful & stay away from it
Can you tell, I was trying to be subtle

 

the prima clay is a little tougher to knead, but it kinda sticks to your
hands a little so you dont loose grip of it. which i though was a nice
feature (or side effect). i've yet to drop one on the floor while
claying.

the worst clay has been griot's mud. that thing is so damn soft and sticky
it melts in your hands, not in your mouth.

 

I prefer Griots Garage clay bar www.griotsgarage.com because you get a good sized piece and its pretty sticky to touch with your fingers, so you'll need to use gloves when using it. Some don't like this but to me its no biggie, good luck to you.

 

oh, i needed to use gloves... i see. jk

 

Clay Magic bills itself as "The Original Detailing Clay!" I bought it at Auto Zone.

It comes with a 100 gram clay bar and 12 ounces of Clay Lube, which btw smells like cocoa nut tanning lotion. It is usually about $4 or $5 bucks cheaper than Megs and some of the others. I can't compare because I've never used any others, but it has been recommended here on NAM before.

 

I tried claying today for the first time using Griots Garage clay bar with their Speed Shine QD. I thought it did a fantastic job and was easy to use. Managed not to drop it even.... After 4 yrs the hatch and rear bumper cover was quite gritty and this stuff too it off easily. It just seems that you waste the pce of bar that you use since you can't remold it all that easily after it gets dirty. Two though.....

 

i was at the griots tech session today and they said they made the
clay super soft so that it does not remove wax. so im thinking
about pulling this out again during my next app of Best of Show on my
MCS/G35C.

 

Interesting. I'd like clay that's halfway in between the softness of Griot's and the toughness of DP. I'm guessing that's probably Meguiar's blue clay, but I still have like 2 bricks of DP clay to work through before I try it out.

 

I just clayed my Mini yesterday, ( first time I've used clay ) used the Mothers Kit that came with Show Time, Yellow Clay, and a small bottle of their Wax/Cleaner. For my first time use I was pleasantly surprised, it wasn't too stiff, kneaded smoothly, and had just enough stick so it wouldn't fall off your hand. For my first time I think it did a good job, it doesn't get every little bump off, but it was a major improvment over just using a wax/cleaner. The next time I clay I might see about a more agressive clay.

Dave

 

You don't need more aggressive clay. If it's removing the above surface bonded contaminants, then you just need to do more passes. I've done 100 passes of the clay in some instances. Keep it well lubed and knead the clay often to expose new clean surface area, and then keep claying, constantly feel the paint for smoothness.

Richard

 

How long should a clay bar last??

 

That's a little like asking, how long will a bar of soap last in your shower? Hmmm, if it's sitting in a pool of water dissolving...... or if you only wash yours feet versus your whole body with it...ok, maybe not exactly.

A clay bar's life isn't just measured in years, months, or days. It's measured on how much junk it's accumulated.

Drop it on the ground? It's toast--throw it away.

Use it on cars that have tons of bonded contaminants---it will load up faster, and won't last as long.

It might last only 1 really filthy MINI, or maybe, several years. It depends.

 

THanks for the info Rich

Dave