Claying Advice/Opinion
- Thread starter kevmo327
- Start date
I do both depending on the amount of time I have, and I think either one will give you excellent results. If you can't clay out of direct sun light then I would do it after washing, no sense letting you car dry in direct sun. I would dry it and do small sections at a time. But if your not in direct sun why not clay when you wash. Just make sure your claying a clean surface. The benefit to claying while washing besides time saving would be product saving (not having to use clay lube).
Eliot Ness
Active member
When doing a whole car I clay when washing (wash, rinse, use car wash mix to clay, rinse and dry). Just seems easier since I have all the wash supplies already out and it saves on using a clay lube.
If I'm just doing a spot or two then I'll just use a QD as a lube for the clay.
Actually, as DSVWGLI mentioned, either way is fine and it basically boils down to personal preference. Some use a car wash mix, some use just plain water, and some use a QD or clay lube. Try it both with a clay lube (or QD) and also while washing to find what works best for your techniques, clay, conditions, and preferences.
If I'm just doing a spot or two then I'll just use a QD as a lube for the clay.
Actually, as DSVWGLI mentioned, either way is fine and it basically boils down to personal preference. Some use a car wash mix, some use just plain water, and some use a QD or clay lube. Try it both with a clay lube (or QD) and also while washing to find what works best for your techniques, clay, conditions, and preferences.
SVR
Dream Machines
Just started doing CAYW. Clay as you wash. After washing, I soak the car with shampoo and get at it.
Did my large sedan in 15 minutes, compared to other way.
Also I just got diamondite speed clay in, kinda like whipped cream but will probably only use this on glass
Did my large sedan in 15 minutes, compared to other way.
Also I just got diamondite speed clay in, kinda like whipped cream but will probably only use this on glass
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Quote: Also I just got diamondite speed clay in, kinda like whipped cream but will probably only use this on glass EOQ
SVR I'd be very interested in your findings after using this product, I don't understand how a liquid can encapsulate and remove a contaminant that is imbedded.
So as not to hijack the thread- either method of claying will work, just use plenty of lubricant (be it clay lubricant, QD or car wash soap)
SVR I'd be very interested in your findings after using this product, I don't understand how a liquid can encapsulate and remove a contaminant that is imbedded.
So as not to hijack the thread- either method of claying will work, just use plenty of lubricant (be it clay lubricant, QD or car wash soap)
I like doing it after wash because easier clean up. I leave the clay lube on. Only if I'm using a Paint Cleaner, like Sonus. Believe it or not it's very nice when applying it. I still like using clay when washing a section at a time.
Have a ? about cleaning clay, can you?! I hate using one bar and it's dirtier then hell:angry ! I keep kneeding it and kneeding it but it's still dirty?! Any tricks? I know you have some TOGWT!:xyxthumbs
Have a ? about cleaning clay, can you?! I hate using one bar and it's dirtier then hell:angry ! I keep kneeding it and kneeding it but it's still dirty?! Any tricks? I know you have some TOGWT!:xyxthumbs
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Have a ? about cleaning clay, can you?! I hate using one bar and it's dirtier then hell ! I keep kneeding it and kneeding it but it's still dirty?! Any tricks? I know you have some TOGWT!
I use clay in this order; paint surface until its dirty, glass and then wheel surfaces, then buy a new bar and start again, as for cleaning clay I've not heard of a way(but its so inexpensive it may not be worthwhile).
I use clay in this order; paint surface until its dirty, glass and then wheel surfaces, then buy a new bar and start again, as for cleaning clay I've not heard of a way(but its so inexpensive it may not be worthwhile).
Accumulator
Well-known member
audipower said:
I hardly ever knead my clay much any more and I haven't used a whole bar, or even a half a bar at a time since maybe '91. I just cut/tear it up into little pieces and pitch them when they're dirty (or save them for nasty-stuff duty). I don't think I ever plan to do more than one panel per piece, but I do look at the clay to see if it's really getting dirty before I pitch it. I decided that I wasn't gonna take the risk of contamination working its way back to where it could mar my paint. Clay is a renewable resource, paint isn't. Yeah, I go through a good bit of clay, but I hardly ever have to polish my vehicles
Good idea Accumulator aka neighbor. I do throw it away after each car, but I thought maybe there was away to clean it. Probably a stupid question.
Where's the BEST BUY in clay? Where you get more bang for you buck? I need to buy a bunch and want to save. I have many many cars coming up to do.
Where's the BEST BUY in clay? Where you get more bang for you buck? I need to buy a bunch and want to save. I have many many cars coming up to do.
Accumulator
Well-known member
audipower- Nah, not a stupid question at all. Most clay vendors seem to encourage the "use the whole thing and knead it" approach and with the whole bar getting dirty it's a natural Q IMO. Think of it this way- if the dirt would wash out of the clay then the clay wouldn't be "grabbing" it all that well. And picking even the bigger contaminants out of it would take a lot of time (and time is another nonrenewable resource ).
I'm afraid I'm the wrong guy to ask about best buys/cost effectiveness
I've been using the Sonus clay lately just because I like it. No idea at all how it compares with others price-wise.
).I'm afraid I'm the wrong guy to ask about best buys/cost effectiveness
I've been using the Sonus clay lately just because I like it. No idea at all how it compares with others price-wise.TortoiseAWD
New member
audipower,
I think a lot of people do this anyway, but if you're not going to use Accum's "disposable clay" technique, here's a tip or two on how to get the most out of a piece of clay:
First, don't use a whole bar at once; 1/4 to 1/3 or a bar is nice size that's not too small, nor too large (for my meaty paws, anyway). Flatten the clay into a rough rectangular shape, and clay a panel with the lube of your choice as you normally would. Now, if the surface of the clay is dirty, don't just roll it up and knead it around, then flatten it again. Instead, dab any excess lube off the flat piece of clay with a clean MF or other towel (I usually just tap the clay on my shirt to get any moisture off of it), then fold it like a book with the dirty side to the middle. Then, gently flatten the "book" with your thumbs and fingers into a rectangle again. By always folding the dirt to the middle, you expose two clean sides of clay. The dirt becomes stratified in the clay with the contaminants trapped between layers of clean clay.
I can usually do several cars with a piece of clay (all depending on the condition of the car, of course) before discarding it. If I feel that a piece is nearing the end of its lifespan, it gets relegated to glass, then wheels, then the bottoms of the side skirts, underside of the bumper, etc. (the grimy places). After that, I pitch it.
YMMV, but this technique has worked well for me.
Tort
I think a lot of people do this anyway, but if you're not going to use Accum's "disposable clay" technique, here's a tip or two on how to get the most out of a piece of clay:
First, don't use a whole bar at once; 1/4 to 1/3 or a bar is nice size that's not too small, nor too large (for my meaty paws, anyway). Flatten the clay into a rough rectangular shape, and clay a panel with the lube of your choice as you normally would. Now, if the surface of the clay is dirty, don't just roll it up and knead it around, then flatten it again. Instead, dab any excess lube off the flat piece of clay with a clean MF or other towel (I usually just tap the clay on my shirt to get any moisture off of it), then fold it like a book with the dirty side to the middle. Then, gently flatten the "book" with your thumbs and fingers into a rectangle again. By always folding the dirt to the middle, you expose two clean sides of clay. The dirt becomes stratified in the clay with the contaminants trapped between layers of clean clay.
I can usually do several cars with a piece of clay (all depending on the condition of the car, of course) before discarding it. If I feel that a piece is nearing the end of its lifespan, it gets relegated to glass, then wheels, then the bottoms of the side skirts, underside of the bumper, etc. (the grimy places). After that, I pitch it.
YMMV, but this technique has worked well for me.
Tort
I picked up a 6-pack of Turtle Wax clay bars on eBay for $35. They are 180 grams each, according to the auction. They are yellow in color, and since it seems to be commonly accepted that most clays are just private-labeled clones of each other, I am hoping this stuff is the same as the Mothers clay I was using before the Clay Magic. I just won the auction, so they'll take a few days to get here, I'm sure.
I think one of the best buys is the Clay Magic clay at $9.99 for a 100 gm bar. You can probably get a better deal if you find a place that'll sell it in bulk. Not the finest clay (I believe Sonus and the 'Autopia' clay are finer) but does a good job and lasts for a few (dirty) cars. I imagine if your car is like Accumulator's though it would last you for years.
Accumulator
Well-known member
gearhead said:.. I imagine if your car is like Accumulator's though it would last you for years.
Heh heh, actually I go through clay like you wouldn't believe! With all the spot-claying I do at every wash and my paranoia about contaminated clay, a bar doesn't last me long at all.