Mother's Clay review

Josiah · 11-11-01, 08:03

I used the Mother's Clay, yellow bar, with the supplied lub I got in the hit from autozone for about $20.

I had to span it out over two days because of the short days around this time, and QD'd before I did the last half of the car with Meguiar's QD.
I really didn't like the lub that came with the clay... it streaked horribly, even when I applied it according to the directions without the clay... horrible stuff from an otherwise great company, IMHO. The clay worked GREAT, at first I thought it was a miracle product, it got off stains I couldn't get out with tar remover and a mitt. I used the lub generously and it is almost gone, and the clay is in good condition, just a little dirty.

For general, invisible stains in the paint, it did great. The paint was smooth after I was finished and got all the streaking out after I dawned the car twice. For tar stains, it seemed to loosen them up quite a bit and I could get them off with my finger nail and then finish it off with the clay.

For the most part, I didn't have to use too much pressure with the clay bar. I just gently slid it across the car and let it does its thing.

The clay bar was a little tough the first day I used it, but very loose and moldable the second day (plus it was warmer the second day). I was not impressed with the clay, too stiff. Next time I clay, I may try Zaino's clay or just use mother's with a different lub.

carguy · 11-11-01, 09:33

Hi - I really like the Mother's bar too, and like you, I've found it works better with the Meguiar's detail spray than the mothers. However - if you used a whole bottle of spray you were using WAY too much - you only need more if you feel the clay dragging.

You didn't mention it, so just to be sure - remember to fold the clay over on itself when it starts to get very dirty - this will expose a nice new clean surface.

Josiah · 11-11-01, 09:48

I did some of the car in the sun, and the QD dried up quicker than I could spray it on. That is where most of it went... Yes, I folded the clay when it started to get dirty. This is where I might like a more moldable clay. I suppose you could zap it and warm it up a bit if it is too cold.

Josiah

Scottwax · 11-12-01, 06:44

I've tried the Mother's clay bar and was unimpressed. It is way too plasticky feeling, and even on 90 degree days in Texas, it was hard to fold and flatten out. I am not a big fan of the retail version of Meguiars clay bar, either. The only really good retail version of a clay bar I've found is the Clay Magic system (although the supplied wax isn't very good, nor is their QD). For regular claying for minor surface defects, the Clay Magic blue bar is sufficient, but for heavy paint overspray, I mix the Clay Magic with Meguiars Pro Body Shop clay (which is very sticky!!!) about 60% Clay Magic and 40% Meguiars. It makes it more aggressive, but not nearly as sticky as the straight Meguiars Pro version.

Like with every other detailing product, there is a lot of trial and error to find what works best, but in my experience, the only retail version of a clay bar system that works well and is user friendly is Clay Magic. As far as mail order versions, the only one I have tried is Formula 113's version, and since I only got it on Thursday, used it just once when it was in the low 50's, I really haven't had a real chance to evaluate it, although it did remove the waterspots I was trying to get off.