Is There Really A Difference In Clay Bars?

[Wasatch]

I keep reading and hearing that there are difference`s in clay bars. I`m not talking about weight per dollar. I`m talking about smearing, marring, leaving swirls. So what are your experience`s, recommendations.

[Woob]

Yes there are differences



Depends on amount of contamination, how aggressive the bar is, and how you use it. I`ve used the Mothers and its an excellent setup for local stores, but after using Adam`s, Mothers is used for wheels now!



Some bars are more aggressive, so more mild. Some grab or are bend more. Some crumble.

[togwt]

~One manâ€â„¢s opinion / observations~



First used by Japanese auto manufacturers the technology was passed on to the US market. There are only a couple manufactures of clay, and U.S. patents protect the technology, with some subtle difference in technology (plastic vs. elastic material) and the firmness of the material. In general, softer clays are safer and easier to use, firmer clay cleans better with a little more risk of scuffing or scratching



All detailing clayâ€â„¢s contain an abrasive; the differences between the types of detailing clayâ€â„¢s are the abrasive levels. Some manufacturers distinguish the differing levels by colour (i.e. Clay Magic Red is a medium abrasive, whereas the Blue is a Fine abrasive.



a) Fine- clay that pulls or shears off the imbedded paint contamination and encapsulates it.



b) Medium- clay is used to remove paint over-spray; it contains an abrasive that abrades, while the clay encapsulates it.



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM

[stilez]

TOGWT has got it.



In the end there are only 2 types, and various colors



For elastic I like Wolfgang because the color doesn`t bleed (ClayMagic does).



For plastic, I like Poorboy`s because I got a deal on it.



Elastic is easier to use in all temps, but plastic tends to be a bit more aggressive and harder to use in colder temps.

[Wasatch]

Thanks alot guy`s.

[General Lee]

What would you classify Mothers` yellow clay bar? Fine, Medium, elastic, plastic etc.?

[s2skimon]

^ i would think closer to soft and fine

[imported_The Uncle]

What is this talk about Clay Magic bleeding colors about? I`ve never had that happen (but have not used clay nearly as much as the rest of you).

[VERLIEBEN]

Hi, I work in a dealership and we use magic clay and car brite clay in our new and used foreing cars and we love the results.

[Corey Bit Spank]

Is Meguiars "new" quick clay system really "new"? Or is it the same crumbly crap they have offered for years?

[mtodde]

Originally posted by Corey Bit Spank

Is Meguiars "new" quick clay system really "new"? Or is it the same crumbly crap they have offered for years?

Corey, it seems to be a big improvement. I`ve used it twice and it is very similar to the Sonus clay (the lube is the same old QD, nothing like Glyde) in texture, effectiveness and feel...same color too. IMHO it is a big improvement...



For $10 and local availability (mixed here in Atlanta, but at least you can find it) it is hard to beat. I`ve been recommending it to friends and have had a few folks order it from Autopia with part of a larger order (I have friends buy products in exchange for me detailing their cars).

[1 Clean WS6]

Originally posted by General Lee

What would you classify Mothers` yellow clay bar? Fine, Medium, elastic, plastic etc.?

Fine to medium and elastic

[AMDin93103]

Originally posted by The Uncle

What is this talk about Clay Magic bleeding colors about? I`ve never had that happen (but have not used clay nearly as much as the rest of you).

Us eit on a white car and you will see some slightly blue lube.

Originally posted by mtodde

For $10 and local availability

:scared

$18.50 here both suppliers!



-Andrew.

[VertigoGTI]

Whatever you decide on, I hope it isn`t Pinnacle`s Clay. It`s too soft, acts more like a sponge with the lubricant. By the time I got done claying my GTI (not a big car) the clay was more like wet Silly Putty. It held no shape and was pulling nothing off the paint.



I`ve been using the Blackfire clay instead, works so much better!

[audipower]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!

I never skip this on all my cars!