clay

[H&A]

I've seen the clay stuff in the detail sections for years and read post after post about how good it is and always kept passing it up. I always thought it sounded odd dragging clay across the finish.

I finally gave it a try the other day and WOW! It was a lot easier to do than I thought it would be. The clay just slides across the finish (when used with the spray). When I was done with just the clay the finish looked as good as it usually does when I'm all done with the detail.

I don't have a Ridge to try it on but I'm on about my 6th coat of Zaino on my wifes car after the clay and it just keeps getting better. So if you've thought about the clay and passed on it before it is definately worth it.

-Trevor
HandA-Accessories.com

[zero]

I have used the clay in the past and it really makes a difference. It just takes some extra time.

I have the Zaino stuff but I have not used it yet.

[ridgeman]

Dumb question I know, but where do you get this clay stuff?

[H&A]

I tend to be a wax addict and have to try other ones (curse those that have mentioned ones I haven't tried on here) but I've been real happy with the zaino. I really like how easy it is to apply and remove. Their ZFX additive helps make it a lot easier to layer plus you can skip the Z1

The first coat with it doesn't give the depth of a lot of other waxes but the layering with each coat definately shows. I know I need professional help or a hobby to stop me from putting more on more layers.

-Trevor

[H&A]

Originally Posted by ridgeman

Dumb question I know, but where do you get this clay stuff?

I used the Meguiars stuff from a local autoparts store. Most of them have it somewhere in their wall of detailing products. It came with a bottle of their spray detailer that you use to lube the surface.

-Trevor

[Ultra-HOG]

Would someone that has used clay briefly discribe what it is all about? I am not familiar with clay at all.

Thanks in advance

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Ultra-HOG

Would someone that has used clay briefly discribe what it is all about? I am not familiar with clay at all.

Thanks in advance

Same here. Never heard of it until this forum.

[H&A]

Hopefully someone that knows more about it can give some more info on it. All I know is it is supposed to remove contaminates that have imbedded themselves in the paint. It doesn't seem to be abrasive, using the spray detailer as lube for it makes it just glide across the paint with very little resistance at all.

At first I didn't think it was really doing anything but when I wiped the first section dry it looked like I'd just spent the day polishing and waxing it. The paint at that point felt smooth as glass when I'd drag my hand across the finish.

The clay was whitish so as you go you are supposed to turn it and kneed it around to keep the part that is against the paint as clean as possible. Somehow something about it just grabs the stuff that is stuck in the paint, without taking off the paint. I did notice a bit of color on the clay when I used it on an old non-clearcoated finish, but not much.

It goes very fast since it glides so easily and you can just slide your other hand around feeling for rough areas as you go to make sure you got everything. I'm not sure exactly how long it took as I wound up doing 3 cars with it the same evening

I've never used it on a brand new car but the finish after using it was better and smoother than when the car was new. I've read posts from people that recommend it for new ones.

-Trevor

[zero]

Excellent explanation of the clay process. I can only add that the clay can remove some of the minute particles that are embedded within the clear coat layer. Sometimes these small particles can cause swirl marks in the paint with washing (at least this is what I have heard).

I have used it on brand new cars to remove rail dust. Rail dust, as I have learned from othe forums, comes from the transport of the vehicles by rail car. I know they put protective plastic on parts of the car. But they don't cover the entire car.

[zero]

Here is a url with some good info.

http://www.properautocare.com/usclaybartor.html