Speedy surface vs. nanoskin

[spewking]

I am considering the use of one of these.....my first time away from clay. Working on a 2010 Acura MDX cream color that is in pretty good shape. My plan is to wash, iron x, then use one of these. I expect only mild polishing with menzerna 4000...maybe some IP for spotty places.

I plan to get a fine towel and sponge of the above. Not sure if I need the medium grade...could use some medium clay for spots that may need it, but want to avoid the expense if I can.

Which one do you recommend? Do both perform the same or do you prefer one over the other? Why? Does it sound like the fine grade will suffice?

Thanks for your help.

[Kamakaz1961]

I can't comment on the Speedy Surface as I have never used it. However, I can comment on the Nanoskin Blue (fine) sponge. It is very easy to use and it works just as good or better than clay.
Additionally, it is super easy to use and you will finish clay barring the car (with Nanoskin) in 1/2 the time. If you drop the sponge, no biggie just spray and wipe off.

No need to reshape or knead the sponge. It will last 2 times longer than a sponge. I have heard on some threads about the sponge marring like clay...I cannot figure out why. I have used the sponge as a normal routine cleansing whether the car needs claying or not and have no marring issues.

I would get the sponge as it is easier to use. I also have the 6" Blue pad for the DA but have not used it as the sponge is so easy to use. Additionally, the sponge feels closest to like clay and you can "feel" it working better than the pad that I have. As for the towel I can't comment as I have not used it.

As for Menzerna 4000, great choice.

[HateSwirls]

I have the fine Prep Towel.
Never going back to clay bars again.
I've never used the sponge so I can't say which one is better.

[spewking]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the fine nano is the way to go.

Reading here on the forums suggest the towel and sponge have the same effect, the towel being speedier on larger panels.

[Evan.J]

I can say from what I remember that sponges don't seem to have a very long usage life. I think I remember people saying the break down very fast so keep that in mind if you go with the sponges.

The towels on the other hand will last over 50 cars.

[iron_worker]

I bought the medium grade nanoskin DA attachment. To be honest, I'm not that happy with it. Does it remove contaminants and does it do it quickly? Hell yes. Does it mar the surface as well .... oh ya. I "broke in" the pad on glass as per the instructions, I tried the nanoskin lube that came in the kit, I tried DP rinseless washed mixed to be clay lube (even used a bit extra strong mix), I tried higher power and lower power on my GG6, and tried lots of lube and a little bit ... it always left marring.

I've used it on a black Cobalt which is marred quite badly. I used it on a red 2009 Corvette as well which also marred noticeably. (GM's are also known to have pretty hard clear even). I also used it on a silver 2000 Camaro which it didn't mar visibly... but the paint was in fairly sad shape so I'm guessing it did but you just couldn't see it.

You also have to be sure the surface is free of *any* dirt particles ... if it gets trapped under the pad it will drag it around leave little "pig tail" scratches which can be quite hard to get out.

On a side note, the regular marring (not including trapped dirt particles) does come out fairly easily if you're planning to polish anyway but I just don't like the idea of adding in that much marking. The only way I would use nanoskin with a DA is if you had a HEAVILY contaminated paint job with known hard clear and you're planning to polish anyway. In that case it will save you A LOT of time.

I'm curious try the towel or sponge as I'm sure it would be a safer method that the DA attachment ... but at this point I don't really want to spend any more money on Nanoskin products.

IW

[Kamakaz1961]

I can say from what I remember that sponges don't seem to have a very long usage life. I think I remember people saying the break down very fast so keep that in mind if you go with the sponges.

The towels on the other hand will last over 50 cars.


So far I have used my Blue Sponge several times and it is good as new. I definitely know it will last quite a bit longer than a typical claybar. My assumption it should last as long as a towel. If not, I will just get a new one.

My guess is that I have at least another 15 - 25 cars I could Nanoskin with.

[Tato]

Curiously, I'm facing less marring using the medium grade (yellow) mitt when compared to the fine (blue) mitt.

In fact, I only had one experience with really bad marring, and that was using fine grade mitt. Until that time, I always leaned towards the fine to avoid marring, but from what I could observe, when marring is to happen, there's little one can do about it.

My case happened when I tried to use my best non-marring technique, and it was the worst marring I had.

After that I've decided to don't worry more about marring and to use the medium grade more often. That said, very little marring compared to the fine.

However, the nanoskin marring is so superficial, you will get it out on the first pass of your polishing. That said, it's horrible to the eyes, but it's just a visual effect, goes off really easy.

Your approach using SF4000 after nanoskin is what I like doing often, if you take a look at some of my threads regarding CIVIC and COROLLA detail and coating, I've used exactly this, nanoskin and SF4000. Works? My customers loves me ahhahaha

I'll paste here an answer I gave earlier regarding nanoskin marring so you can know better what we are talking about:

---05-04-2014, 12:15 AM
I was working on a trashed 2013 GM Cobalt in Solid Black color. I've tried to made my softer and best claying ever to avoid any marring since I was not willing to make the paint looks even worse.

I've used fine nanoskin mitt, plenty of lube, my best 'anti-marring' technique, see some shots what happened:

Before shot when car arrived (under the sun shot):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/claymarbefore.png

After thorough was and gentle (yet effective) fine grade nanoskin (swirl finder light greatly reproduces defects spotted under the sun):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/claymarafter.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76214)

You can see the marring on the hood (slight in between horrible other defects):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/hood-claymar.png

Apart from marring, I would not feel comfortable if letting you without any correction picture around this work...

Test spot on the hood
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/claymar5050hood.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76213)

The rear side pillar that is on before pictures above, under same light
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/claymaraftercorrection.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76208)

From slight light change in direction while inspecting for any flaw
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/claymaraftercorrection2.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76209)

More clay marring (plus defects) on passenger's side rear part, under swirl finder light:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/sideshotclaymarred.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76216)

Under work light:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/sideshotclaymarbefore.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76212)

Done.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/sideshotclaymarafter.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76211)

The clay marring 'per se' went away after 1-2 passes... however, this paint needed almost 3 steps in every section to finish in an acceptable manner.

In conclusion, nanoskin marring may occur to some degree depending on paint, so it's good to always be aware of it's possibility.

It's ugly, but it's really easy to get rid of. Can't say the same about 'vandalism' cars suffers from 'cheap' (in quality, not in price) auto washes all around.

Hope that helps,

Kind Regards.

[haris300]

I've use the fine and medium Nanoskin sponges with clay lube as well as with foam from my foam canon. I also use a blue Nanoskin towel and DA pad as well. Awesome products. I like to clean with Iron X before decontaminating with the sponges. I've occasionally seen some very minor marring from time to time, but it's nothing you can't knock out after a couple of passes with a fine polish. If you're careful and rinse the sponge after every panel you should be okay. Constantly check the sponge surface to see if you've picked up any debris and don't apply too much pressure when making contact with the vehicle.

Btw, nice work Tato!

[spewking]

Thanks. I am going to order the fine sponge and towel.

I will pay attention to any marring and clean/rinse often during use.