Older clay, slightly dry?

[CharlesW]

I had a bar of Clay Magic stored in a plastic baggie that may or may not have been tightly sealed.
When I removed the clay from the baggie, it was pretty firm, but not really hard. Kneading it seemed to make it fairly pliable, but when I would stretch it, it would kind of open up rather than just stretch. I don't remember it doing that before, but all that proves is that I don't remember. :wall
Anyway, I put it in another baggie with some clay lube and kneaded it quite a bit. It did seem to become more pliable and at this time, I'm leaving it in the baggie with a little clay lube to keep it soft.
To the point:
Is it probably OK to use or should I just buy some new clay?
My concern is not how well it works, but if it is likely to mar the paint. $20 to not scratch a panel would be a bargain.

 

[David Fermani]

You'll be fine as long as the clay wasn't contaminated with dust/debris while is sat open. I've got several bars that are 4+ years old that the top of the container is constanly left open in my cabinet. Just spray it with some clay lube and knead the heck out it and it will be back to normal. Even warming it up a little can help work it faster when it's hard.

 

[tuscarora dave]

my old blue clay magic clat seemed to develope some sort of black mildew on it while being stored in a baggie with meg's QD sprated into the baggie. Any body else had this issue in addition to the drying up issue?

 

[heatgain]

my old blue clay magic clat seemed to develope some sort of black mildew on it while being stored in a baggie with meg's QD sprated into the baggie. Any body else had this issue in addition to the drying up issue?

I had the same thing happen to Meg's white clay in a baggie moistened with Meg's QD. It did sit for quite awhile, umolested.
Tossed it out.