Clay Bars on other websites (Ebay and Amazon)

[Ohio Detailing]

Hiya fellas!

Please know that I AM NOT attempting in any imaginable way to detract from AutoGeek's amazing business and service - we all know and love it, and just last week alone I officially spent more than my home mortgage on their website!

However, something did just come up recently as I ran out of my usual Pinnacle Poly Clay, and I began wondering if the Clay Bars found on Ebay for around $5.25-6.00 a bar, or the Clay on Amazon for slightly more (where I ordered)... were worthy and 'as good.'

Basically, I purchased a couple hundred grams of Easy Clay's Blue-colored clay bars, and just got them in the mail today along with my Bissell Pro-Heat Auto Carpet Cleaner and other goodies (like a 4 gallon case of Hoover Deep Extract Carpet Cleaning Shampoo).

I have a couple questions:

1. Has anyone ever used these bars, I see another sort of 'dead' thread discussing Ebay-specific clay, but there wasn't a lot of user feedback there. Although, I have to assume and I think I might be right on the money, that the clay more often than not originates from Japan where it was invented I believe, so the technology and the materials are more than likely identical to the "brand name" types elsewhere and will work just fine.

2. Does anyone know if the Yellow, Blue, and Gray colors in the clay bars mean anything? I know that the colors represent aggressiveness elsewhere in the marketplace, but the seller's pages didn't mention anything about the softness or mildness of the bars, so they could simply be dyed various colors for no reason at all.

Any insight, feedback, and thoughts are MORE than welcomed

 

[IOMCAMARO]

I have tried two different bars including the 3M Hong Kong clay. They are nowhere near as good as auto magic. One reminded me of a hard modeling clay. It was very hard to ply and marred like no other. The 3M clay was just okay. It was sent to me by a forum member to review but it just felt apart as I was using it. It was bad. It worked,but I think the heat just destroyed it on the voyage over.

 

[Ohio Detailing]

I have tried two different bars including the 3M Hong Kong clay. They are nowhere near as good as auto magic. One reminded me of a hard modeling clay. It was very hard to ply and marred like no other. The 3M clay was just okay. It was sent to me by a forum member to review but it just felt apart as I was using it. It was bad. It worked,but I think the heat just destroyed it on the voyage over.

So in your opinion, these are the best? Clay Magic detailing car clay and Auto Magic specialty products

Do you like fine, or medium grade? I want to find someone who has used the Easy Clay on Amazon, or the $5 clay on Ebay, hmmmmmm.

 

[neat e34]

Also interested to know what this is like.

Plan on using the Finish Kare decontamination system on my car & heard results are great if you clay during the 2nd step but I don't want to use my brand new DP clay for that as apparently the FK eats it very quickly...

 

[Danube]

Blu Tack works best for me.

 

[IOMCAMARO]

So in your opinion, these are the best? Clay Magic detailing car clay and Auto Magic specialty products

Do you like fine, or medium grade? I want to find someone who has used the Easy Clay on Amazon, or the $5 clay on Ebay, hmmmmmm.

I personally like the ultima elastrofoam or meguiars smooth surface kit. These two combined can do anything I need them to do. I just picked up nano skin autoscrub pads and while they're nice I don't find them to be worth the price.

 

[Bigbull2984]

I still have a couple bars of the poly clay from Pinnacle but I really like the ones on amazon. Its a red clay that cost about 7 bucks shipped, used with ONR and no issues. I liked it much better than Mothers Clay.

 

[Bigbull2984]

Hiya fellas!

Please know that I AM NOT attempting in any imaginable way to detract from AutoGeek's amazing business and service - we all know and love it, and just last week alone I officially spent more than my home mortgage on their website!

However, something did just come up recently as I ran out of my usual Pinnacle Poly Clay, and I began wondering if the Clay Bars found on Ebay for around $5.25-6.00 a bar, or the Clay on Amazon for slightly more (where I ordered)... were worthy and 'as good.'

Basically, I purchased a couple hundred grams of Easy Clay's Blue-colored clay bars, and just got them in the mail today along with my Bissell Pro-Heat Auto Carpet Cleaner and other goodies (like a 4 gallon case of Hoover Deep Extract Carpet Cleaning Shampoo).

I have a couple questions:

1. Has anyone ever used these bars, I see another sort of 'dead' thread discussing Ebay-specific clay, but there wasn't a lot of user feedback there. Although, I have to assume and I think I might be right on the money, that the clay more often than not originates from Japan where it was invented I believe, so the technology and the materials are more than likely identical to the "brand name" types elsewhere and will work just fine.

2. Does anyone know if the Yellow, Blue, and Gray colors in the clay bars mean anything? I know that the colors represent aggressiveness elsewhere in the marketplace, but the seller's pages didn't mention anything about the softness or mildness of the bars, so they could simply be dyed various colors for no reason at all.

Any insight, feedback, and thoughts are MORE than welcomed

More than home mortgage huh.... I was going through why my credit card bill was so high last 2 month... I spent close to $1k...but I should be good for the next 2 years....:buffing:

 

[Buckskincolt]

More than home mortgage huh.... I was going through why my credit card bill was so high last 2 month... I spent close to $1k...but I should be good for the next 2 years....:buffing:

Key word here is "SHOULD" but I'd be willing to bet you won't make it before another order!:cheers:

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Blu Tack works best for me.

I'll google it, haven't ever heard of it, thanks.

I personally like the ultima elastrofoam or meguiars smooth surface kit. These two combined can do anything I need them to do. I just picked up nano skin autoscrub pads and while they're nice I don't find them to be worth the price.

So far, I have LOVED everything I've tried by Ultima, and JUST got their Paint Guard Plus in the mail 24 hours ago! However, I've heard the Elastifoam causing some excessive marring and may be 'too' aggressive? What are your thoughts on this?

I still have a couple bars of the poly clay from Pinnacle but I really like the ones on amazon. Its a red clay that cost about 7 bucks shipped, used with ONR and no issues. I liked it much better than Mothers Clay.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Someone who has used the Amazon clay from a seller/company called "Easy Clay," awesome! I still have no idea whether their colors mean anything, yellow red and blue, but I ordered blue, so we'll see! $6-7 is so amazing.

More than home mortgage huh.... I was going through why my credit card bill was so high last 2 month... I spent close to $1k...but I should be good for the next 2 years....:buffing:

Yeah, cough cough, I kind of have issues. I um... haven't even OPENED some of my previous GALLONS of product from my last order. I always feel guilty after spending so much money, on what amounts to making my car shiny. Sigh.

Key word here is "SHOULD" but I'd be willing to bet you won't make it before another order!:cheers:

This reminds me to ask something... how long are detailing chemicals good for? I found some Mirror Glaze products from college, they are at least 6 or 7 years old, yikes, any good?

 

[Ohio Detailing]

CONCLUSION:

I wanted to let everyone know I now have a very detailed experience with clay from Ebay (they are all the same, identical actually).

I bought from one of the most well known sellers there with good ratings, and even bought in bulk because I hoped for the best... LONG STORY SHORT: It was worthless. I don't mean it wasn't "as good" as name-brand clay, or even that I had to use a lot more product and pressure, I LITERALLY MEAN WORTHLESS. I was frankly like I was rubbing a bar of soap over my client's vehicle.

This is one investment I can wholeheartedly say is a waste, I even had to SEND IT BACK, at my own expense, for a lame partial refund which I am disputing and leaving negative feedback on!

I am sad, because other clays range from pricey, to, OH-MY-GOODNESS-WHAT-ON-EARTH pricey... oh well.

 

[SANTA3013]

I just ordered a new Clay Magic Blue yesterday for $23.95 with free shipping on eBay to replace the one I've used for years (along with some other brands).

I have tried GG (junk in my opinion), and others but none I have tried compare to Clay Magic.

I looked at the cheaper bars but did not think they would be very effective so I passed on them.

 

[Madness87]

I just ordered a new Clay Magic Blue yesterday for $23.95 with free shipping on eBay to replace the one I've used for years (along with some other brands).

I have tried GG (junk in my opinion), and others but none I have tried compare to Clay Magic.

I looked at the cheaper bars but did not think they would be very effective so I passed on them.

You do know Clay Magic and Auto Magic hold the patent for clay right? That all the other companies have to license it from them? They almost always win a dispute as well. So when you see Meguiars, Mother's and other clays, know that they are identical except for grade, weight, coloring/"dye" or other cosmetic changes.

All clay that is sold in the US, is the same and comes from the same place. So the Griot's clay is made by Auto Magic, as is the Meguiars, as is the Adam's clay, as is Turtle Wax etc.

The fact you say one clay is "junk" compared to the other is just your unsubstantiated assumption.

The patent will run out soon though, and that's when you'll finally see much better clay and clay bars come to the market. If you look at Autogeek's, canadian distributor site, Eshine, you can see that they are able to sell clay that is truly better than anything you can get in the US
.
eShine Canada: Riccardo Clay Original Yellow (8oz)

 

[SANTA3013]

Assumption? I've used GG and I still say it's junk based on MY experience. You are entitled to your own opinion, not mine.

 

[Bigbull2984]

CONCLUSION:

I wanted to let everyone know I now have a very detailed experience with clay from Ebay (they are all the same, identical actually).

I bought from one of the most well known sellers there with good ratings, and even bought in bulk because I hoped for the best... LONG STORY SHORT: It was worthless. I don't mean it wasn't "as good" as name-brand clay, or even that I had to use a lot more product and pressure, I LITERALLY MEAN WORTHLESS. I was frankly like I was rubbing a bar of soap over my client's vehicle.

This is one investment I can wholeheartedly say is a waste, I even had to SEND IT BACK, at my own expense, for a lame partial refund which I am disputing and leaving negative feedback on!

I am sad, because other clays range from pricey, to, OH-MY-GOODNESS-WHAT-ON-EARTH pricey... oh well.

Have you tried the amazon ones?

 

[neat e34]

Dynamic, was the eBay item you tried one of the blue 3M ones from Hong Kong?
Just received 2 of these ($4AUD ea, delivered) but haven't had a chance to try them...

 

[Ohio Detailing]

Have you tried the amazon ones?

Hi Big Bull, no I haven't. I suppose I was so turned off by Ebay, I will go with Clay Magic or name brands from now on. Do you have any insight on Amazon versions? I assumed, wrongly perhaps, they were all the same. My limited knowledge leads me to believe they just buy thousands of units in bulk from a cheap Japanese company and resale them at a profit, so they are as generic and worthless as they come.

Dynamic, was the eBay item you tried one of the blue 3M ones from Hong Kong?
Just received 2 of these ($4AUD ea, delivered) but haven't had a chance to try them...

No, they were all grey in color. I would think 3M would be great, I think they have a very solid company. I hope so at least... just spent thousands of dollars getting my GT500 wrapped, haha!

 

[jackychai]

i have ordered some in about a month ago but have not received it. so i need to dispute it soon. lol

in my opinion. it works great.
in description it says medium grade.
first of all i am hobbying at budget as some of you are. so compare to some clay like over $10 to mine less than $6 it is a big difference in price.

does it cause marring? i think so. but usually it was follow up with polishing. for those jobs that i was not paid for polish i usually use the speed prep towel.

i tried to switch around on the same car to see which one works better they are very similar or no different sometimes.

if some dirt can't be pulled out from one of them the other one can't too. perhaps the expensive one can. however so far i think my practice is ok. perhaps i will try the expensive clay if the person bring me a lambo. btw i am bias.

hope this info help.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using AG Online

 

[SON1C]

Mothers clay has always worked great for me I see no need to switch

 

[ihaveacamaro]

The detailers speedy towel is all I use now. I've said goodbye and good riddance to costly clays