We need better clay

R

RAG

New member
I'm down to my last couple bars of Opti-clay and every time I reach into my stockpile of other clay (I probably have 6 or 7 other unused clays on hand) I am GREATLY dissapointed. Put plainly, we need opti-clay back in a bad way. Keep in mind folks that most of the vehicles I detail have moderate to severe rust contamination due to our salt air. When claying contamintaion out using any other clay, it produces an unnaceptable amount of scuffing.



I did three complete exterior details yesterday (long day) and I took time to compare clays...so I opended up several new bars.



Pinnacle - absolute junk (does not slide easily and tends to fall apart with too much soap in the lube.



TOL purple - horrible texture and does not knead well. Producte lots of scuffing.



Yellow 4.5 oz clay from Excel - elastic composition like opti-clay, but a little too stiff/hard. Produced more scuffing than opti-clay. This would probably have to be my pick when I run out of opti-clay.



Sonus Ultra fine - good stuff, but can't even begin to tackle the rust on a neglected vehicle.



Sonus Grey - LOTS of scuffing. I have a couple different clays from Sonus (including the block) and both scuff too much.





These are the clays I tried yesterday. It's been a year or two since I tried the blue Clay Magic...I need to give it a "go" again, cause I recalled liking it.
 
RAG said:
Pinnacle - absolute junk (does not slide easily and tends to fall apart with too much soap in the lube.
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Isn't that the truth! Worst clay I have ever used..I too am looking for good clay - will be following this thread.
 
My favorite clay, although I find most to be the same, is the Zaino Z18 clay. I never find it to be sticky, and when used with meguiars last touch detail spray 1:1 as lube, I get 0 marring. The best part is you get 2 bars in the nice little container. Have you tried a new clay lube from what you are using?



Greg
 
What about Poorboy's clay? I have heard some very good reviews of that.



Opticlay was great. Good to know about the other clay. BTW I'd have to add Clay magic to the 'bad clay' list. Personally I hate it. Mother's OTC clay isn't horrible but Opticlay = awesome.
 
Lightman said:
Maybe I'm not paying enough attention, but I have had no complaints with my Griot's yellow clay.
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If it's working for you then that's what matters, glad you have something you like. FWIW I used Griot's for ages (since the original greem version) before trying the (*older version of*) Sonus gray, which absolutely blew the Griot's away. But then, the Griot's doesn't mar finishes and it's pretty user-friendly stuff so I'm moderating my previously harsh criticism of if these days. FWIW#2, as best I can tell the Griot's and the Mother's are the same stuff.



With the new version (v3.0 IIRC) of Sonus being too aggressive for my taste, I too am looking for a new "somewhat aggressive" clay that won't mar my finishes :( Luckily for me I don't need such stuff except for the initial claying of a new-to-me vehicle, but I sure hope I find something.



What about ClayMagic? I don't recall any bad reports about it, at least not right offhand..
 
I've never used anything other than the griot's clay so I probably dont know any better...I just know it gets the contaminants off the paint and hasn't left scratches. I got a free sample of the sonus ultrafine clay but haven't tried it yet. From what I read it's pretty weak.
 
Does anyone have any experience with Meguiar's Mirror Glaze aggresive clay?



Usually if I'm claying it's prior to compounding and polishing, so even if the clay induced some marring, couldn't a PC easily correct that?
 
Clay Magic blue is ONE-TOUGH-CLAY...... but still not better then Zaino's Yellow clay. Zero scuffing when I use Zaino's soap as a lube!
 
I've used (only used) Mother's clay, and I haven't had any problems with it. Of course, I'd be glad to try something new that will do the job better. Will be following this thread.
 
It all comes down to proper lube and easy to use clay

I don't like clay magic blue much but the red is awesome



If I don't need that, I use werkstatt clay

It's way better than any other fine clay (same as CM blue) I have tried

Easy to knead like sonus ultra fine regardless of how cold it is



I have done cars with severe cement dust contamination and got it out with werkstatt

With heavy to severe rust contamination, cement dust etc, you are going to get some scuffing



It polishes out no worries



Now to the lube



Choices - clearkote QS on it's own or mixed with DP final gloss booster (killer glass cleaner too)



Wolfgang IDS, Four star UGE, CG's extreme slick (hate the smell)

Don't touch sonus glyde. Sudsy and helps clay glide better but makes bar fall to bits and leave residue on your hands.
 
BlackElantraGT said:
Does anyone have any experience with Meguiar's Mirror Glaze aggresive clay?



Usually if I'm claying it's prior to compounding and polishing, so even if the clay induced some marring, couldn't a PC easily correct that?
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As long as you plan on doing some polishing afterwards it's a great product. I use it the most since I picked up a ton of it during the Katrina sale.
 
I love the Sonus green for claying on my own car when I don't want to compromise my LSP. I can clay with it, and add another layer.



For everything else, I use Clay Magic. I use Griot's car wash in a foamgun for lube, and it seems to work fine.



Though, it does seem kind of funny that we are all discussing the merits of (synthetic) dirt!
 
I've personaly used the Mothers (boo), 3M, and ClayMagic Clays... I'd pick the clay amgic any day... Anyone with a hatchback will tell you a good clay is second to none and I love this stuff.
 
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