Pinnacle or XMT Clay?

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galaxy

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Been using Mother's clay for years with excellent results. I've even read a few articles around where Mother's clay is one of those very underestimated products, and just as good (if not better than) most 'boutique' brands.

But, have been using a few more Pinnacle products as of late and really, really enjoying them. Mainly the Bodywork Shampoo and SSII.

I thought about going to Pinnacle clay next time just to keep with the brand and to try something different.

For the same money, you can get double the XMT as the Pinnacle (8 grams vs 4 grams for $20), so which/why/how do you choose?? Are there major differences between the two? Money is not the factor for me, just pointing out the obvious to discover if there's something in the quality and performance to justify double the price.

Vehicles are meticulously maintained and always garaged. I would literally say never parked under trees or exposed to any excessive outside abuse beyond being daily drivers. Certainly don't need anything aggressive, just claying as prep for that 'spring cleaning' job, so-to-speak.

My dad uses the XMT and loves it, but I've yet to try either one. Can you guys throw out some advice between the two and even compare it to the Mother's if you have any experience with that.

Thanks guys.

(just for FYI [not trying to make this a cost debate because it's not, just a comparison] the Mother's is 6 grams of clay + a MF towel + bottle of QD for the same money as the other two clay bars...$20. No argument which one is the better value)
 
The XMT Speed Clay is more aggressive than the Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay. That's the biggest difference between the two. I use the Ultra Poly Clay on my vehicle because it's meticulously maintained, but if I'm ever working on a car and need a clay with a little more "bite", I grab the XMT Speed Clay.
 
While I cannot confirm this, I believe the XMT speed clay is also the same clay as griots.
 
If I remember right from when I was looking, the XMT is the twice a year aggressive stuff that will remove everything on the paint. The Ultra Poly was supposed to be mild and remove contaminants but not take the wax off and can be used whenever according to the page. I haven't used either so I couldn't say, but I was planning on buying one of the two when my Mother's wears out as well.
 
flyinion said:
If I remember right from when I was looking, the XMT is the twice a year aggressive stuff that will remove everything on the paint.
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TWICE a year??? Shooot...I do mine once a year and don't get anything on the clay bar! Seriously though, that was my main reason for starting this tread. I clay mine once a year for my 'spring cleaning' and I get visible contaminants on my clay bar somewhere between extremely little and none!

I know we've all seen the photo's of these detailing jobs where the guy takes a pic of the clay bar after one panel and it looks like he was cleaning the driveway with it...yea, I've never seen that on mine. But you can certainly feel the difference when it's done.

I will say this though...I read in another thread somewhere about clay leaving very slight marring or other marks until you finish it up. I have never noticed or seen where Mother's left behind any markings. I have never had to go behind a Mother's clay and clean up, polish, or fix anything it left behind. Maybe that's because the Mother's isn't that aggressive then. That'd be a good comparison; where does Mother's fit into the scale with the two Pinnacle clays???

Based on what you guys are saying, I'd guess the Pinnacle would be the one for me then.
 
galaxy said:
TWICE a year??? Shooot...I do mine once a year and don't get anything on the clay bar! Seriously though, that was my main reason for starting this tread. I clay mine once a year for my 'spring cleaning' and I get visible contaminants on my clay bar somewhere between extremely little and none!

I know we've all seen the photo's of these detailing jobs where the guy takes a pic of the clay bar after one panel and it looks like he was cleaning the driveway with it...yea, I've never seen that on mine. But you can certainly feel the difference when it's done.

I will say this though...I read in another thread somewhere about clay leaving very slight marring or other marks until you finish it up. I have never noticed or seen where Mother's left behind any markings. I have never had to go behind a Mother's clay and clean up, polish, or fix anything it left behind. Maybe that's because the Mother's isn't that aggressive then. That'd be a good comparison; where does Mother's fit into the scale with the two Pinnacle clays???

Based on what you guys are saying, I'd guess the Pinnacle would be the one for me then.
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the mothers clay is very fine, but low quality as far as function goes. it falls apart easily and degrades fast with there detailer.

The pinnacle clay is super high quality and very nice to work with. Its also a very very mild clay. Sounds like thats the one you are looking for.

sometimes clays marr (noticeably) soft paint. I have hard paint on my car and the DP clay, or any medium bar does not marr it that you can see with the naked eye.

If you had good luck with the mothers, The pinnacle will treat you fine as well. its an ultra fine claybar like previously discussed.
 
The only clay I have used is Pinnacle and have had great results with it.

It would be interesting to see a aggressiveness chart for clay....
 
Pinnacle sounds like a perfect match for your vehicle, it's less aggressive then mothers, and quality wise better as well, just remember no matter where you buy clay from in the US, you are buying clay magic as they hold the patent and produce all clay being sold in the US.
 
I've noticed the Pinnacle clay is very fine, it won't remove a lot of contaminants. I'll only use it if the paint is basically clean to start off with. If there's noticeable contaminants then I'd go with a heavier cut clay.
 
mg6045 said:
the mothers clay is very fine, but low quality as far as function goes. it falls apart easily and degrades fast with there detailer.
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I have not had any problems with the Mothers clay falling apart and degrading fast.
 
Bunky said:
I have not had any problems with the Mothers clay falling apart and degrading fast.
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Yea...me neither. Been using Mother's exclusively for years and never had it fall apart or break down and never had it fail to do a superb job.
 
galaxy said:
Yea...me neither. Been using Mother's exclusively for years and never had it fall apart or break down and never had it fail to do a superb job.
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+1, the Mothers Clay kit works great provided one uses a clay lube / quick detailer.
 
Can anyone confirm the pinnacle ultra poly clay doesn't remove wax and sealants?

My daily driver, un-garaged car, gets pretty rough after just a couple months of driving. Wondering if this is a clay I could use every two months without fear of stripping my wax and sealant.
 
drewberg11 said:
Can anyone confirm the pinnacle ultra poly clay doesn't remove wax and sealants?

My daily driver, un-garaged car, gets pretty rough after just a couple months of driving. Wondering if this is a clay I could use every two months without fear of stripping my wax and sealant.
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Anytime you touch the paint, you are removing some wax or sealant. While the Pinnacle clay is extremely mild, it will still remove some of the LSP on the paintwork....maybe not all but definately some or most.
 
Dr Oldz said:
Anytime you touch the paint, you are removing some wax or sealant. While the Pinnacle clay is extremely mild, it will still remove some of the LSP on the paintwork....maybe not all but definately some or most.
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Thanks for the reply. Sounds like if that's the case, I mine as well just use the aggressive clay a few times a year. Double the clay bar size for the price, and if I'm going to have to reapply the lsp anyway, whats the real advantage of the poly clay?
 
Mothers clay...I prefered the older light colored gray clay over the newer gold clay. The gold stuff seems much too mushy and soft for me and the kind of cars I've been claying. It may be right down your alley though, if you hardly get many contaminants in your paint.

People seem to scoff when I say this, but I've had great luck with TW ICE clay kit. It has a different feel than the Mothers in that it seems almost plastic-e and feels very smooth when flattened. On top of that I've managed to find several boxes of it for about $9 a box compared to the Mothers and Meguiar's $17-$20 a box.

Clay is cheap from Chemical Guys...

...then there's the foam clay block sold here at AG and CG's.
 
drewberg11 said:
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like if that's the case, I mine as well just use the aggressive clay a few times a year. Double the clay bar size for the price, and if I'm going to have to reapply the lsp anyway, whats the real advantage of the poly clay?
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The advantage of using a less aggressive clay is that u reduce the possible chance of marring your paint. So that there would be an advantage if you ask me. Sounds like you have very clean paint so I would personally use the Pinnacle Poly Clay. It is also very easy to use and very pliable as the other clay is a bit firmer.
 
Dr Oldz said:
The advantage of using a less aggressive clay is that u reduce the possible chance of marring your paint. So that there would be an advantage if you ask me. Sounds like you have very clean paint so I would personally use the Pinnacle Poly Clay. It is also very easy to use and very pliable as the other clay is a bit firmer.
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Good point. Also, my car seems to get light marring/swirls if I look at it wrong. The less aggressive the better. I'll have to order some next time I'm due for clay.
 
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