What motion do you use when you clay?

[Kamakaz1961]

When claying by hand:
I go only in one direction (<---)...and back (--->);
never ever in circles!

Note:
That may just be me though.


Bob

IMO going around in circles MIGHT induce some type of scratching the paint. Again, I do Bob's technique!

[davey g-force]

I do straight lines too, but only because it feels more natural to me. I really doubt that it matters either way.

For some reason, I always polish in circles if I ever polish by hand.

[Dadillac]

I always go in a straight line while dragging my thumb on the surface. The thumb drag gives constant immediate feedback. Something I have always done

Don

[Mantilgh]

I do straight lines too, but only because it feels more natural to me. I really doubt that it matters either way.

For some reason, I always polish in circles if I ever polish by hand.

That's what seems natural to me. I think I would have to fight my learnt straight line claying ways.

I also want to apply wax "polish style" when doing it by hand, although I have read that the straight line method is supposed to reduce the chance of swirls. I just seems odd doing it that way. Just like any other new trick for an aging dog I guess.

I also think that you could cover more area faster with the straight method, but I imagine circular would be more thorough
though.

[Mantilgh]

Also what about orange peel?

If claying is done only in a straight line in one direction on an orange peeled surface then I assume that full contact is not being made with all of the paint's surface. This would also depend on the severity of the peel.

Working in a circular motion would possibly allow more contact with the surface area of the "bowl" of the peel.

[Chris Thomas]

By hand I go side to side. With auto scrub I use it on my DA

[Mantilgh]

I would think it would want to grab, or "stick", more when constantly changing direction.

But, they do make them for DAs now.

I found out the other day that the constant motion of doing circles did not leave any clay residue spots behind.

When I switched directions using straight lines it would leave an imprint of the clay mitt.

It was a hot day and the paint was soft.