clay vs cleaner

[Ern]

Can someone help me out on this. Ive always been a clay user. Why would you use a cleaner wax or anything like that when you can clay?



Whats the difference?

[vdubbya]

A cleaner wax just doesn`t have the to capabilities to remove all embedded contaminents like clay.



I always clay and then follow with a cleaner before polishing.



Just good habit! I don`t really know!

[coupe]

I always clay and then follow with a cleaner before polishing.

You can definately skip the paint cleaner if your gonna be polishing anyways.

[brwill2005]

Just remember clay is an abrasive. It should not be used everytime you wax your car. Others will definitely disagree, but I think it is a bit overused. It functions extremely well as an overspray remover and for removing environmental fall out.

[velobard]

You can demonstrate the difference for yourself, that would speak volumes more than what we can put in words. It happens everytime I show how clay works to someone in person. First, wash your car. Do whatever you want on one panel; polish, wax, cleaner wax, whatever. Then take half of that panel and go over it with clay. Very lightly drag your fingers over the paint on the clayed vs the non-clayed sections and you`ll feel the difference for yourself.



And yes, I know clay should be used before wax, I`m just saying you can use this as a demonstration to see how much of a difference it can make.

[BobD]

Can someone help me out on this. Ive always been a clay user. Why would you use a cleaner wax or anything like that when you can clay?



Whats the difference?

Well, a clay is designed to pull contaminants from your paint. A cleaner wax, at least most, are designed to deal with very minor imperfections and add a level of protection to your paint. If you meant a pre-wax cleaner, most do the same thing as a cleaner wax just without the protection.

[joshtpa]

Or you can try the TW Ice liquid Clay....It really works quite well.

[rkf76]

Can someone help me out on this. Ive always been a clay user. Why would you use a cleaner wax or anything like that when you can clay?



Whats the difference?

Clay and cleaner wax aren`t used for the same purpose. Clay only "removes" surface contaminants, it doesn`t remove swirls, scratches, oxidation or restore dull finishes. Cleaner waxes claim to do all of the above.

[David Fermani]

Just remember clay is an abrasive. It should not be used everytime you wax your car. Others will definitely disagree, but I think it is a bit overused. It functions extremely well as an overspray remover and for removing environmental fall out.

I guess I`ll be the one that disagrees with this. I`ve spoke to a few of the higher ups at Auto Magic and they claim that their Blue Clay Magic won`t remove LSP`s and can be used as much as you`d like without harming the finish. For years I`ve been claying vehicles during regular washings without waxing/polishing and haven`t noticed anything strange.

According to Clay Magic`s web-site:

Clay Magic® is a deep cleaning and smoothing clay bar that instantly removes harmful pollutants from today`s vehicle finishes without using strong, acidic chemicals or harsh abrasives. Use it every time you wash or wax.

[rkf76]

I guess I`ll be the one that disagrees with this. I`ve spoke to a few of the higher ups at Auto Magic and they claim that their Blue Clay Magic won`t remove LSP`s and can be used as much as you`d like without harming the finish. For years I`ve been claying vehicles during regular washings without waxing/polishing and haven`t noticed anything strange.

According to Clay Magic`s web-site:

Clay Magic® is a deep cleaning and smoothing clay bar that instantly removes harmful pollutants from today`s vehicle finishes without using strong, acidic chemicals or harsh abrasives. Use it every time you wash or wax.

How would you explain how it "removes" the contaminants then?

[David Fermani]

How would you explain how it "removes" the contaminants then?

In a nutshell, it pulls embedded contaminants from the paint with every stroke you make. The lubricant that`s sprayed on the paint acts as a buffer to allow the clay to slide across the surface.

[rkf76]

In a nutshell, it pulls embedded contaminants from the paint with every stroke you make. The lubricant that`s sprayed on the paint acts as a buffer to allow the clay to slide across the surface.

If clay is not abrasive, why do they come in different grades like fine and medium. If the clay is nonabrasive, one would think there would be no need for that. It seems to me the grade is a measure of it`s abrasiveness.

[rkf76]

Sonus SFX Ultra Fine Detailing Clay



I guess that pretty much confirms my argument

[brwill2005]

Of course the executives at Auto Magic are going to say it does not remove LSP`s. I would not be in their best interests to say it does. The reason clay is so overused is because of the marketing of companies such as Auto Magic.

[David Fermani]

Of course the executives at Auto Magic are going to say it does not remove LSP`s. I would not be in their best interests to say it does. The reason clay is so overused is because of the marketing of companies such as Auto Magic.

Don`t you think their would be negative repercusions if they lied? It would actually be in their best interest to say it does remove wax so people buy more of their more profitable products - wax. How is clay "overused"? Don`t you think clay is a viable solution to regular car maintenence like washing and waxing? Or is waxing overused too?