How do the pros manage the clay process?

Nimble

Nimble

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I'm wondering how you guys manage your spending on clay? It seems every car I do will need about a whole bar or so. Doesn't that get expensive? Do you guys tear a 100 gram size bar in half and try to only use that on one car? I've detailed 2 cars recently that were bad and used at least one full 100 gram bar on each.

I'm just trying to keep my costs down and clay is downright ridiculously priced.
 
a whole bar? thats alot of clay for even a really bad car. I normaly cut a bar into 3 or 4 peices and use one at a time, When its done (be it 1 car or more) i throw it away.

You will know when it is done.
 
I use cheaper clay with extra lube. My lube is either ONR or DP 4n1 mixed to the clay lube ratio, therefore, I have plenty of lube.
 
I've done a few black cars recently though and when the clay gets even slighty dirty, it mars the crap outta the finish. I've used all types of things to minimize that, more clay lube, lighter pressure, even using expensive quik shine which helped a bit. I just don't see how some of you don't mar the finish even *slightly with clay. The type of marring I'm speaking of is like very light scuffs, ones that polish out really easily, but still are annoying.
 
I use half a bar per car. I usually get 3 - 4 complete cars out of each half of my Sonus green. I use bug and tar remover where needed before claying. That way I get the really nasty stuff off beforehand so it doesn't shorten the life of the clay.


Regarding the scuffing, I've experienced that with stronger clays (Sonus gray). The fine grades shouldn't scuff unless used improperly.
 
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Whitethunder46 said:
I use cheaper clay with extra lube. My lube is either ONR or DP 4n1 mixed to the clay lube ratio, therefore, I have plenty of lube.
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What "cheaper clay?" All clay I've seen is really expensive.
 
Nimble said:
I've done a few black cars recently though and when the clay gets even slighty dirty, it mars the crap outta the finish. I've used all types of things to minimize that, more clay lube, lighter pressure, even using expensive quik shine which helped a bit. I just don't see how some of you don't mar the finish even *slightly with clay. The type of marring I'm speaking of is like very light scuffs, ones that polish out really easily, but still are annoying.
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this may sound stupid... but do you kneed the clay. I ask becasue tou say that when it gets slighlty dirty... so when its dirty do you kneed the clay?
 
i try not to clay without polishing honestly... because i almost always get marring
 
CalgaryDetail said:
this may sound stupid... but do you kneed the clay. I ask becasue tou say that when it gets slighlty dirty... so when its dirty do you kneed the clay?
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Fair question, but yeah I do. I just started my own pro business, so w/o sounding like an azz, I have a pretty good idea on most everything in the detailing arena. :) I was just curious what you guys did for clay, maybe I could get away with using less? we'll see. I'll try that.
 
Nimble, what kind of clay are you currently using? Also, I use plain water as my clay lube and that also helps cut costs (not having to pay for a clay lube/quick detailer).

Pete
 
Nimble said:
Fair question, but yeah I do. I just started my own pro business, so w/o sounding like an azz, I have a pretty good idea on most everything in the detailing arena. :) I was just curious what you guys did for clay, maybe I could get away with using less? we'll see. I'll try that.
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fair enough, i dindt mean it to be condesending or to be a jerk. I know people who ihave clayed and not kneeded the clay.


its kinda like one of those the computer wont work... is it pluged in?

you would be supprised how often it needs to be pluged in
 
if you clay is getting contaminated that quick...i would increase the concentration of the soap (the wash n gloss is perfect for this :) )you are using or adding a little APC to your wash...contaminants in the paint even on a bad car should not use up an entire clay bar...i think you are leaving to much superficial contamination behind and that is why you are clogging up your clay bar so quickly...maybe you are being very thorough in your washing but this is what i usually find as the culprit to low clay life...remember it is okay to be a LITTLE rougher on paint that you are going to polish anyway...not a biggie if you marr it up a little during the wash because you are being a little agressive...just dont get to the point of scratching the paint and you will be fine...
 
CalgaryDetail said:
fair enough, i dindt mean it to be condesending or to be a jerk. I know people who ihave clayed and not kneeded the clay.


its kinda like one of those the computer wont work... is it pluged in?

you would be supprised how often it needs to be pluged in
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Haha, no hard feelings. :p Had to plug my computer in this morning. :D
 
orngez said:
if you clay is getting contaminated that quick...i would increase the concentration of the soap (the wash n gloss is perfect for this :) )you are using or adding a little APC to your wash...contaminants in the paint even on a bad car should not use up an entire clay bar...i think you are leaving to much superficial contamination behind and that is why you are clogging up your clay bar so quickly...maybe you are being very thorough in your washing but this is what i usually find as the culprit to low clay life...remember it is okay to be a LITTLE rougher on paint that you are going to polish anyway...not a biggie if you marr it up a little during the wash because you are being a little agressive...just dont get to the point of scratching the paint and you will be fine...
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Thanks, that makes sense. I *feel* like I'm getting the cars realy clean, but I'll try adding a higher concentration of wash n gloss and maybe some amazing roll off 1:1 pre spray as well.

I know a lot of you do the "baggie test," but honestly, any cars I've done seem (to me) to need an entire car claying, so I've been claying the whole thing, and it's baby smooth afterwards. Maybe I really only *need* to do the bad areas? I'm kind of OCD and doubt I'd even be able to do that, hehe.
 
The rocker panels and lower areas on a car like behind the wheels get full of crud. I wash the sheeeet outa them with a soft brush and rinse. Sometimes I power wash them. Then the clay step goes much easier, otherwise you're using pricey clay as a bug & tar remover instead of just for the metal splinters (from brake dust) in the paint.
 
Nimble said:
What "cheaper clay?" All clay I've seen is really expensive.
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Ebay clay. $40 for 5, 200gram bars. It's certainly no Sonus or Pinnacle, but it gets the job done on rougher vehicles that are getting a full detail or polishing anyways.
 
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