How is this hi tech body sponge different than the Ultima Elastrofoam?

WilliamHBonney · 08-19-07, 09:47

So Im not sure if you would say if they are the same or not but when looking around I noticed this:

Hi-Tech Body Sponge
Meguiars Auto Detailing Clay bars

vs.

Ultima Elastrofoam Paint Cleaning System

Are these different or the same thing? Same concept different product?

Hefty price difference so just curious. Sorry if I stepped on some toes.

EDIT: Had to resize a pic

WilliamHBonney · 08-19-07, 09:58

Also found this on CG's page

CLAY BAR ALTERNATIVE ELASTROFOAM

cdodkin · 08-19-07, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamHBonney

So Im not sure if you would say if they are the same or not but when looking around I noticed this:

Hi-Tech Body Sponge
Meguiars Auto Detailing Clay bars

vs.

Ultima Elastrofoam Paint Cleaning System

Are these different or the same thing? Same concept different product?

Hefty price difference so just curious. Sorry if I stepped on some toes.

EDIT: Had to resize a pic

They look very similar I have to say.

I've used David's product which is of course teamed with his lube gel

I note that the Meguiars product does not include a specific lube, just the standard quick detailer.

Given that the 'old' clay would absorb any contaminants, and keep them off the paint as you folded over the clay - the lube becomes super important on the foam pad systems as there is obviously no where for the contaminants to go, other than the lube.

The lube helps to suspend the crud, and keep it away from the paint.

David's lube is super slick, is like a hydrated gel, and is nothing like the speed detailer you've used for claying in the past.

It has way more lube properties - and has been designed specifically for this task.

That alone would make me pick the Ultima solution over the Meguiars - and probably goes a long way to explaining the price difference.

WilliamHBonney · 08-19-07, 10:10

Only thing that I have ever used for clay lube is car wash soap.

mparker30 · 08-19-07, 10:15

I have the ultima sponge and lube but have yet to try it. Although I have opened up the package and the sponge is very soft. I just don't see how it can remove anything frpm the paint. It is not sticky at all..

ZoranC · 08-19-07, 10:26

Difference is $28 and a bottle of lubricant.

zingyginger · 08-19-07, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoranC

Difference is $18 and a bottle of lubricant.

The hi-tech body sponge is $12.95 on ADS so isn't that $25 for the lube?

Edit: Just figured it out - $19.95 for sponge AND lube from CG = $18 difference.

zingyginger · 08-19-07, 10:47

Can someone pls confirm if using this requires one to polish afterwards (some marring to be expected)?

WilliamHBonney · 08-19-07, 10:57

Whole reason for asking was that a kid across the street came over to me the other day and wants me to teach him how to detail. Very cool I thought, I love to teach. But he has some of the worst rail dust Ive ever seen and I worked at it for a while with clay magic but I think to save some time Im going to have to step up to the Megs Red.

cdodkin · 08-19-07, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by zingyginger

Can someone pls confirm if using this requires one to polish afterwards (some marring to be expected)?

We did a black car at the original Ultima launch - no marring that I could see.

ZoranC · 08-19-07, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by zingyginger

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoranC

Difference is $28 and a bottle of lubricant.

The hi-tech body sponge is $12.95 on ADS so isn't that $25 for the lube?

Edit: Just figured it out - $19.95 for sponge AND lube from CG = $18 difference.

You quoted me before I had a chance to correct myself. I based my first post on memory that Ultima's price was $28 when I was buying it (yeah, I am a sucker that purchased it) and on price foam is (so I am told) in paint shop stores, which is $10 (OK, $9.99). Hence my post that difference is $18 and (that you don't get) bottle of lubricant. Then I double-checked prices and Ultima is actually $38 so I re-edited my post to say that difference is $28 and bottle of lubricant.

P.S. It is nice lubricant. I don't feel it is $28 nice though.

cdodkin · 08-19-07, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker30

I have the ultima sponge and lube but have yet to try it. Although I have opened up the package and the sponge is very soft. I just don't see how it can remove anything frpm the paint. It is not sticky at all..

It's not meant to be sticky.

The surface of the sponge is a strange rubber like surface, and this works like the clay to allow you to plane surface contaminants off the paint without marring.

Using a suitable lube of course.

Unlike clay - the sponge is washable - clay is not.