Clay Bar Idea

RAG · 11-23-06, 08:41

Maybe we need to let Clay Magic aware that their current clay is sub-par in hopes that they would start having elastic-clay produced.

Okay, I know most people (in most areas of the country) can use a clar bar for a month (or more), but I go through a couple per week due to the heavy conatmination in my community...so having good clay is a big deal for me.

And I think we are all in agreement that the elastic clay (like Opti-Clay) is superior (marrs less, is easier to use, and lasts much much longer). So why wouldn't Clay Magic start having this superior clay produced (my guess is they aren't even aware their clay is inferior)...but maybe they don't care since they own the market now.

Way2SSlow · 11-23-06, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG

but maybe they don't care since they own the market now.

that'd be my guess. I've been using the blue clay magic from Autozone lately. I guess it's going to have to do.

David Fermani · 11-23-06, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG

Maybe we need to let Clay Magic aware that their current clay is sub-par in hopes that they would start having elastic-clay produced.

Okay, I know most people (in most areas of the country) can use a clar bar for a month (or more), but I go through a couple per week due to the heavy conatmination in my community...so having good clay is a big deal for me.

And I think we are all in agreement that the elastic clay (like Opti-Clay) is superior (marrs less, is easier to use, and lasts much much longer). So why wouldn't Clay Magic start having this superior clay produced (my guess is they aren't even aware their clay is inferior)...but maybe they don't care since they own the market now.

I've been using their blue clay for 15 years and have NEVER had a problem with it's performace. I too, (in Michigan) have heavy industrial fallout in the air and I find that the longevity of their product is great. How many cars are you claying to go through 1 bar of clay? I can easily do 10 vehicles for warranty fallout removal and stll have it go strong. I don't think any clay bar lasts longer with respect to removing and embedding contaminants within the clay bar. Clay doesn't clean itself, it all about how much contamination it's picking up. As far as marring, I've never experienced Blue Clay Magic marr the finish, so I'm not sure where there is a problem. Are you kneeding it correctly?Are you using their Body Shine as they recommend? If Opti-Clay is superior, why don't you use it? There's got to be some floating around somewhere. I'm sure if Auto Wax felt the need to improve their product they would. Call them and try to work through your complaint if you feel that strong about improving their product. I'm sure negatively venting on a forum isn't helping out with the problem any. Try to catch bees with honey instead of with a fly swatter.

RAG · 11-23-06, 12:07

You're right about the longevity of a clay bar being limited to the amount of contamination you're willing to let it collect. I get anywhere from 3 to 10 uses before I retire a clay bar due to how much contamination it has collected.

The main reason I like Opti-Clay so much is that when removing heavy rust contamination, it marrs less than other clays - defenitely less than the blue Clay Magic...I've conducted a lot of experiments with about 15 different clay bars to prove this (to myself at least) where I monitored the amount of scuffing on black paint. Some bars have produced marring that takes 2 or 3 polishing steps to remove (sure, I could apply just a couple ounces of pressure and not get this problem, but I'd be claying for several hours).

Opti-Clay is nowhere to be found.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

I've been using their blue clay for 15 years and have NEVER had a problem with it's performace. I too, (in Michigan) have heavy industrial fallout in the air and I find that the longevity of their product is great. How many cars are you claying to go through 1 bar of clay? I can easily do 10 vehicles for warranty fallout removal and stll have it go strong. I don't think any clay bar lasts longer with respect to removing and embedding contaminants within the clay bar. Clay doesn't clean itself, it all about how much contamination it's picking up. As far as marring, I've never experienced Blue Clay Magic marr the finish, so I'm not sure where there is a problem. Are you kneeding it correctly?Are you using their Body Shine as they recommend? If Opti-Clay is superior, why don't you use it? There's got to be some floating around somewhere. I'm sure if Auto Wax felt the need to improve their product they would. Call them and try to work through your complaint if you feel that strong about improving their product. I'm sure negatively venting on a forum isn't helping out with the problem any. Try to catch bees with honey instead of with a fly swatter.

firegate · 11-23-06, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG

Opti-Clay is nowhere to be found.

FWIW, there's a ton of Erazer clay floating around.. I bought some to compare to my last bar of opti-clay and there's very little difference between the two.

If Auto Magic actually were to produce an elastic clay, it would certainly improve the market as a whole. But I doubt it could happen if just a handful of detailers/enthusiasts were to contact them.

SVECobraR · 11-23-06, 07:12

sounds like someone is very biased towards clay magic, i wonder why. I personally hate clay magic its not even close to being as good as opti clay or chemical guys/adams clay. It needs a lot more pressure for the same amount of effectiveness and it completely falls apart in the heat, where i've never had any sort of problem like that with the erazer type clay.

RAG · 11-23-06, 08:10

I don't even know why we need to have this discussion - it was clear the Opti-clay and other erazer-type clays gained huge popularity in a short amount of time (if they just did a tiny bit of homework they'd know this)...so they should automatically start having the stuff made (it's not like it would take 10 months to get into production...the stuff was already produced).

David Fermani · 11-23-06, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVECobraR

sounds like someone is very biased towards clay magic, i wonder why. I personally hate clay magic its not even close to being as good as opti clay or chemical guys/adams clay. It needs a lot more pressure for the same amount of effectiveness and it completely falls apart in the heat, where i've never had any sort of problem like that with the erazer type clay.

I guess I am a little bias towards Clay Magic as well as the entire line of Auto Magic. I've had nothing but great success using their products professionally for over 15 years.

I, like most people, like using products that perform well, and haven't really witnessed any problems with Auto Magic. If I did, I wouldn't use them.

I personally dislike many detail products on the market today, but I don't think it's necessary to bash them.

35TH LE · 11-23-06, 10:48

Hmmm.. Im on the verge of buying a case of CM blue. Now I am unsure.

I was in a pinch for clay, due to a few bars that I purchased from a vendor being defects, and I had to head to Pep Boys for clay. I ended up buying a Megs clay kit and I must say...the white clay that came in the kit was a pleasure to use.

Setec Astronomy · 11-24-06, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by firegate

FWIW, there's a ton of Erazer clay floating around.. I bought some to compare to my last bar of opti-clay and there's very little difference between the two.

If that is true there's numerous members who would like to know where to find that "ton".

twitch · 11-24-06, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

If that is true there's numerous members who would like to know where to find that "ton".

Here's one.

firegate · 11-24-06, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

If that is true there's numerous members who would like to know where to find that "ton".

Mostly sitting around on store shelves. There's a chain here in the bay area that has some left at all of their locations (except the two that are closest to me since I bought em out). The managers both told me the clay had been sitting there for a while - no one would buy it over the megs/mothers clay.

IIRC, there was a link posted to an online store that still had some left in the other clay thread as well.