Hey guys, I need to clay my car after this horrible winter. I've been using Sonus SFX for a while, but I'm thinking about switching. I'm thinking about ordering some Riccardo yellow (I'm located in Canada) but how does it compare to the sonus? It seems like the Riccardo yellow has a lot of hype, but is this hype jest because it's "illegal" in the US? Also, please feel free to make some other suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Clay-time!
- Thread starter zachf88
- Start date
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
I've never really noticed a big difference between clays of the same grade and usually just buy what ever is cheapest at the time I order. Never tried Riccardo though...
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
Eliot Ness
Active member
There really is a difference. I love the yellow clay and stocked up on several bars before it became impossible to find in the US. If I didn't have to ration it I wouldn't use anything else. You should really try a bar since it is readily available to you, then if you don't care for it go back to something else.
Accumulator
Well-known member
What Eliot Ness said :xyxthumbs
It's my second favorite clay ever (after the *almost* identical Sonus Block v1.0).
I bought the last of the SmartClay-branded stuff that David/Lynn had when it became unavailable, and reserve it for special occasions. More aggressive than the Sonus green but doesn't mar if you use it properly/carefully. It can even be used to do the "clay the LSP without stripping it" thing if you want to be really gentle about it.
IME it's simply a different type of clay that behaves differently. Not very picky about what you use for lube either. Wonderful product...
It's my second favorite clay ever (after the *almost* identical Sonus Block v1.0).
I bought the last of the SmartClay-branded stuff that David/Lynn had when it became unavailable, and reserve it for special occasions. More aggressive than the Sonus green but doesn't mar if you use it properly/carefully. It can even be used to do the "clay the LSP without stripping it" thing if you want to be really gentle about it.
IME it's simply a different type of clay that behaves differently. Not very picky about what you use for lube either. Wonderful product...
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
What would you say you guys find different about them?
The only one I've tried where there was a noticeable difference is Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay. I found it to be easier to work with "softer" but as far as actually removing defects they all seem to do a similar job to me (same grade clays).
The only one I've tried where there was a noticeable difference is Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay. I found it to be easier to work with "softer" but as far as actually removing defects they all seem to do a similar job to me (same grade clays).
Accumulator
Well-known member
RaskyR1 said:
The obvious thing is how it's a different "feel". I forget how the terms "elastic" and/or "plasticy" are correctly used in this context, but the Ricardo/Smart clay seems more elastic to me, less "dry and grainy" than regular clays; it's just less...I dunno... "claylike" and more "rubbery", like a wad of well-chewed bubble gum.
Heh heh, sheesh...with all those scare-quotes you can tell I'm at a loss for how to word a good explanation
Functionally, it cleans/decontaminates better than the Sonus green while still being almost as gentle. Virtually never leaves any clay residue behind even if you don't get the lubejob quite right and won't mar in-and-of itself unless you do something really weird.
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
Accumulator said:The obvious thing is how it's a different "feel". I forget how the terms "elastic" and/or "plasticy" are correctly used in this context, but the Ricardo/Smart clay seems more elastic to me, less "dry and grainy" than regular clays; it's just less...I dunno... "claylike" and more "rubbery", like a wad of well-chewed bubble gum.
Heh heh, sheesh...with all those scare-quotes you can tell I'm at a loss for how to word a good explanation
Functionally, it cleans/decontaminates better than the Sonus green while still being almost as gentle. Virtually never leaves any clay residue behind even if you don't get the lubejob quite right and won't mar in-and-of itself unless you do something really weird.
That makes sense...I think elastic was probably the word I was looking for to describe the difference I noticed with the Poly Clay.
Maybe I'll try getting a hold of some Ricardo clay one of these days...
