Clay Bar sources

2wheelsx2

2wheelsx2

New member
Sorry if this has been gone over before, but I couldn't find any obvious answers from my searches.



Anyway, everyone seems to like Mother's or Clay Magic. I have never seen Clay Magic sold in stores here in Canada, and the Mother's kit comes with QD and cleaner wax, neither of which I like nor use. I checked for CM online and they come in kits too. What does everyone do, buy the kits, and then give all the other crap away? Just curious, as it seems awful expense to buy a kit and chuck 3/4 of it away.
 
I'm not sure I agree with you. I've found the Mother's clay kit at Walmarts recently at 13 USD. Not a bad price. I don't find their detailing solution bad for the purpose but think it serves this purpose best on a damp. overcast day or early in the morning before the sun gets too high. Finally, I haven't tried the included wax yet but use it on your wheels.



Why does "everyone" package their clay this way? Look at the size of the "bar". Who, in the real world is going to spend fifteen bucks for that? The QD and a sample sized container of wax cost Mother's next to nothing and makes it considerably easier for consumer "fishies" to bite



I've got some new 3M clay that I hope to report on just as soon as I finish up with the last of the Mother's but the Mother's isn't bad from either a quality or price level, IMHO.
 
I just keep the extra wax and qd for friends and family.



I actually use that small mothers cleaner wax for small areas of my car which don't need the more expensive sealants. Door jams, gas cap, etc :)
 
Hmm..I guess the wax for the door jams and things make sense. I'll try that out. But as for the QD, I use a polymer (#20), so I don't want to use a QD with carnuba. Also, because of our wet climate, I rarely QD. Too much chance of scratching. I pretty much wash, sometimes 4 times a week.
 
We're Here - the reason we (MOTHERS®) and others package lubricants with the clay is to force the consumer to use a proper lubricant.



When another appearance chemical company first started selling clay, they sold it by itself in a small clamshell package. 2 things happened:



1) it was stolen frequently, and



2) folks tried to use water as a lubricant, even though the instructions said not to.



So, we're basically forcing the consumer to use a proper lube so we won't have consumers complaining about how the clay streaked or turned mushy from trying to use water and saving a couple of bucks.



As for the wax, we provide something, since clay will remove whatever polish or wax is on your paint.



For the knowledgeable users here at autopia, the kit may not be as good of value as it is for Joe Average, but honestly, from a numbers standpoint, it's the right thing for us to do.



You can always buy clay from an automotive paint store or order it over the internet by itself from a variety of cources, us included. The instant detailer and small bottle of wax cost considerably more than next to nothing (more, in fact, than the clay costs by itself).



As I said before, for 98% of the population, kits are needed by the consumer. You, me, and most of the others here happen to be in the minority.



But, I don't see any alternative. I hope this helps.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Guess My Name [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Pinnacle and zaino sell their clays separate but they cost more. [/b]</blockquote>
Guess, the Zaino claybar is about $8.50 a piece. It's just that you have to purchase two of them at a time. :)
 
...thanks for the clarification. And it makes sense.



So, are you saying that Mother's will sell just the clay bars online? The reason I ask is that in Canada, the kit costs $24, and with taxes, it's about $26!! :mad:
 
Thanks Forest. That's about $40 CDN. By the time I receive it, it'll be $50 or so, but that's still cheaper than buying 3 bars at the store, which would be $72 plus tax, which is about $80!!
 
The best deal I have found on a clay bar kit is the $10 clay magic kit at autozone. The bar was much bigger than the Meguiars kits at Wal-Mart and from what I have heard, the clay is much better too.
 
forrest ... I hope I didn't come across as disparaging Mother's Clay packaging. My experience with clays is limited and certainly anecdotal. When one gets over the shock of the little bit of clay (from any manufacturer, in my experience) one's dollar buys (and is there any detailing product that's more likely to end up on the ground - SH*T!!!) and tries the Mother's product, I think they'll be pleased with how it performs. I'm trying the 3M product because I've never heard a bad word about it, not because I'm unhappy with Mother's Clay.



BTW, do you have any evidence that clay strips waxes? It would seem to me that the lubricant would prevent this from taking place. I think Mother's can safely assume that if Joe Average goes so far as to purchase Mother's Clay, that Joe's undoubtedly got some wax on the shelf already.
 
We're - I have no real evidence to show that clay removes wax/polish, but I know after claying the surface is "squeaky" clean, the same as using a wax remover/prepsol, etc.



BTW, if memory serves me correct, the 3M clay is made by Clay Magic, so I'm certain it's a good product.
 
In regard to the initial post, I really doubt that you would be disappointed with the Mother's QD as a lubricant for the clay. It does not contain carnauba and performs very well for this purpose.



You may want to reconsider and give it a try. :up



When I use the Mother's clay, I use the Showtime QD spray that comes in the kit, and it has always worked very well. :xyxthumbs
 
ArcticWhite,



I have used the Showtime that comes with the kit, but I thought it had carnuba in it. I'm actually almost out of it already. I have been using Meguiar's Final Inspection and find it to be slicker (somewhat). Maybe I'll give it another go next time I clay.



I do like the smell of it though. :)
 
Eagle One sells their clay in little cans of two clay bars each. Only cost me $10 for the two bars.



I just bought some ProWax clay. It comes in a 7oz bar. It better be the best clay I have ever used because it was quite expensive.



What is the average cost for 7oz of clay?
 
I've never seen EO clay. It isn't on their website that I can see. I would ask where you got it, except I live in Canada.:(
 
forrest, have you tried erazer clay and if so, how does it compare with mothers? i know how it compares with Pinnacle and some others just wondering about yours.
 
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