Clay Pad on DA vs. Clay Mitt - Which works better?

[Matador]

Hey Guys,

So for the longest time I've used a clay pad 6inch on a DA like Mike P showed me years ago on here (machines work better than your hand). I tended to go by that...until I started seeing how much faster it works by using it as a mitt during the wash process (after you've washed the car and deconned, using the wash soap as lube).

I did my 2nd car last weekend. I just wasnt as happy as I would be with a clay pad on a DA. I felt the paint wasn't as 'smooth' as it normally was when by machine and using a clay lube vs. this time using a clay mitt and just wash soap.

Is there something im missing here? Technique?

I rubbed my hand on the paint after using the mitt, and felt it still a little gritty in some places and had to go over it.

With a DA pad on my old GG6, it would feel like butter.


What is your experience like? I don't know if I am going too fast with the mitt, or should I be using clay lube instead of car soap? Or what could it be?

[PaulMys]

The mitts and discs (hand-held) are best used for well maintained paint I have found.

The machine discs and/or regular clay bars work best for deeper contamination/neglected paint.

[Matador]

Thanks for that!

That's what I was assuming. Now I know!