The Thread of Clay

[vaca22]

Since forever I've been employing a particular method to clay a vehicle - a bar and Meg's Quik Detailer as lube. I'm fairly sure I have never had any marring issues with this combo. Like, ever. The only downside to this process that I can see is that it is somewhat time-consuming; lots of rubbing back and forth with a small bar.

So, I've seen clay towels being used in videos, specifically perforated ones, but I haven't had any experience with them. I'm guessing a towel is effective, but is it any more aggressive than your basic bar of clay? What brands would you recommend? I wanted to pick something up from The Rag Company but they've been sold out since forever.

How about those Autoscrub Nanoskin things? I feel as if people give it mixed reviews. I could be totally wrong.

I wanted to take care of my parents' cars. They are by no means particular about their vehicles. If they can run them through a car wash every month or two, they're happy with just that, so they're not sticklers for details. As such, I would rather NOT spend a lot of time being meticulous with the prep, hence my question about clay towels. I want to zip around their cars, and I also figured I could do something totally crazy like use an iron remover as a lube, thereby decontaminating in 1 single step.

Thoughts?

[crg001]

I like using synthetic clay for quick decontamination, or when full blown clay isn't needed. In my experience it's not as abrasive as real clay, so it won't remove the really stuck-in stuff as easily but also potentially won't mar as much when used properly.

I have used both a clay mitt and the Nanoskin Autoscrub sponges. I really like the sponges as the actual synthetic clay material is very high quality. These methods are easy to use in your wash bucket along side your wash mitt too. Wash with your wash mitt, then go over the surface again with the clay.

[Silly Rabbit]

I have Nanoskin sponge and Sonax Disk, I LOVE them. Now I think clay is great too, I have Meguiar's clay. I'm just I'm lazy and find these synthetic items so easy. I also just picked up a Mothers Speed Clay...it was on clearance, great deal.

[PaulMys]

I like using synthetic clay for quick decontamination, or when full blown clay isn't needed. In my experience it's not as abrasive as real clay, so it won't remove the really stuck-in stuff as easily but also potentially won't mar as much when used properly.

I have used both a clay mitt and the Nanoskin Autoscrub sponges. I really like the sponges as the actual synthetic clay material is very high quality. These methods are easy to use in your wash bucket along side your wash mitt too. Wash with your wash mitt, then go over the surface again with the clay.

I agree 100%

Also, if you keep your paint well-maintained you shouldn't really need to "dig in" with traditional clay every time.

I have the Griot's synthetic clay disc (4") and both Nano-Skin sponges. And as you mentioned, the ease of use is leaps and bounds better than a clay bar.

[MisterSnoop]

I have the Griot's synthetic clay disc (4") and both Nano-Skin sponges.

Any preference between the Griot's and NanoSkin?

[dgage]

I think I saw DFB using a small clay sponge that looks like the CarPro PolyShave. Saw a review recently that the CarPro 6” synthetic clay pad was much better than the Nanoskin version in performance as well as price. Comments @DFB?

[Eldorado2k]

I want to zip around their cars, and I also figured I could do something totally crazy like use an iron remover as a lube, thereby decontaminating in 1 single step.

Thoughts?

Besides that 1 product that Meguiars recently came out with, don’t iron removers pretty much ruin claybars & synthetic clay? Maybe someone else can chime in with the definitive answer on that.

For what you’re describing, yea I guess the Nanoskin claymitt would fit your needs. I’ve never bothered with the light duty/sensitive one. I’ve only used the Medium grade claymitt and I liked it for the most part until I kept having to detail vehicles that were heavily contaminated and it simply didn’t cut it even though we were lead to believe the medium grade synthetic clay was heavy duty… It actually isn’t.
For times when you need some real deal decontamination nothing beats a real claybar, an aggressive 1 like the Meguiars Professional Red claybar.

This is a picture of the OTC Meguiars claybar but this is the level of contaminants that synthetic clay doesn’t seem to be able to deal with unless you’re willing to be there for a good long while doing it, and even then it might feel smooth, but go over it with a claybar and you’ll still pick up some more brown tinge off the paint. That’s why I lost alot of faith in synthetic clay.




On my own personal vehicles I use something like Pinnacle Poly Claybar because it’s light duty and smooth. My 2nd choice would be the Meguiars OTC white or even better their Professional Mild claybar. 3rd choice would be the Nanoskin mitt but once again why would I cheapen my results by not truly being able to see whether the clay is really done removing all the contaminants from the paint? IMO it’s like using an AIO vs. a dedicated polish & lsp. Why cut corners on my own vehicle? But maybe that’s just my way of thinking.

With a claybar I know when it’s fully decontaminated.




IME iron removers are irrelevant. I’ve demonstrated on here before and on vehicles I’ve detailed countless times that using a claybar removes 100% of iron deposits. Do I still use iron removers? Yea maybe once in a great while, but mainly for the cheap thrills, that’s about it. Lol.

[dgage]

But Eldordo2K, can’t you tell when all contaminants are removed by doing the baggie test for smoothness? That’s how I gauge if the clay or clay towel has done it’s job but I’d like to know if I’m missing something. I guess the question would be, if the paint feels smooth, will a good clay find any other contaminants?

But if I clay, that has the potential to mar the paint so I’ll polish afterwards anyway. And if the paint feels smooth but not necessarily all contaminants removed, which I’m not sure is possible, wouldn’t the polishing step get any remaining contaminants off the paint? Begs the question why to clay if the polishing step will remove all the contaminants anyway but I guess it is to reduce the contaminants clogging the polishing pads.

Just some thoughts.

[Coatingsarecrack]

Question on baggie test. Can I use a just a normal zip loc bag? If not what kinda bag?


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[Bill D]

I was always taught to use a cellophane type of plastic wrapper