how many of you are no longer using clay?

I've been using the speedy prep towel now for about 3-4 months. And I love it! But I also still use clay on heavily soiled vehicles, softer paints, etc.

The speedy prep towel does cut your claying time by a lot. On average for a mid size sedan it was taking me around 45 minutes to clay the car. Now with the speedy prep towel it takes me about 20-25 minutes. That's a huge cut in time.

The towel obviously isn't for every situation and I always do a test spot on the car prior to using it to see if it's going to mar. Once the towel is broken in it doesn't mar most paints.

Definitely not a complete replacement for clay but another tool to help make our lives easier!
 
When it come to 'clay/clay towel'...I've come to understand the following:

First and foremost...and...IMHO...
-Automotive Clays/Clay-Towels are just another abrasive "detailing-tool".

With that out of the way...
-After the 'car-washing session' (by/with ones desired methods/processes);
-And if deemed necessary (by something similar to a "baggie-test) and then, if so desired;
-A 'claying/clay toweling-session'

Now...I've heard/experienced
-Both are supposed to remove above surface bonded contaminates
-Both are supposed to shear-off bonded contaminates


Some of what I don't understand is:
-What happens to, and where are: The remainder of the sheared-off bonded contaminates
-Are the clayed/clay-toweled surface areas now clean/contaminate free?
-Am I ready to begin any of the major correction steps?
-If so...Then why this phenomenon (from the following thread...many other examples are AGO search-availabe):

NOTE: Hightlighting by Bob.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...oln-zephyr-swirls-removed-modeled-nicole.html


Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
1939LincolnZephyr029.jpg

1939LincolnZephyr030.jpg

1939LincolnZephyr031.jpg


***Important Point to Remember***
I think we can all agree that a great looking finish is a glossy looking finish. Gloss comes from smoothness. Bonded contaminants on your car's paint create surface texture, that is a rough feel to the paint. This also diminishes smoothness and therefore diminishes gloss.

Claying removes above surface bonded contaminants and is the first step after washing to restore a high gloss finish to any car, including the one in your garage or driveway.

Claying also enables your choice of wax or paint sealant to better bond to the paint by removing a layer of contaminants off the paint so the protection ingredients can bond to the paint unhindered.
Click to expand...


Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
The Major Correction Step
(Page 102 and 103 of my how-to book)

After proving the Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover with a polishing pad on a DA Polisher was a combination that worked on this paint system Tommy and I went to work removing the swirls.

1939LincolnZephyr034a.jpg



1939LincolnZephyr035.jpg


As we worked our way around the car we noticed that our pads were becoming stained with a grayish, brownish color? Here you can see the staining of the foam pad via the contrast of the white colored polish we were using.
1939LincolnZephyr040.jpg


DIP = Dirt in Paint
Here's a shot of one of our used pads next to a brand new, never before used white polishing pad. This color transfer from the paint to the pad is a type of dirt staining that build-up on the finish and comes off when you're machine polishing.
1939LincolnZephyr041.jpg


This dirt staining effect clouds the surface blocking the true color of the paint from shining through.

  1. Detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants
  2. A medium cut polish to remove swirls and scratches
  3. A medium cut polish to remove dirt staining over the finish
Click to expand...


So is this evidence that...(After the car-washing session)
-Claying/Clay-Toweling may, indeed, be the first step towards the completion of detailing a vehicle.
-Yet, again IMHO, there should (must?) be another intermediary "cleaning-step" before any compounding/polishing begins.
-I've asked myself: "Wouldn't this additional "cleaning-step" assist in avoiding as much contaminates/'dirtiness' collecting
upon a machine's/hand's pad, while employing further abrading processes/chemicals...
...in order to achieve the best 'corrected' vehicle painted-surfaces?

I've often mused:
Wonder what that additional cleaning step is...?


:)

Bob
 
Great post Bob. Thank you. for the op question, I for one am not using any towel substitutes for clay. Yet. Mostly because I just scored megs mild clay for a nickel at advance... :)

Sent from my VS840 4G using AG Online
 
I have 6 tubs of Meguiar's and a couple of Mothers to get through before trying something else.....

I really don't mind claying.....:dunno:

30 minutes or so and I'm finished....:dblthumb2:
 
I raise my hand!
I have used the Nano Prep Towel on 3 cars(1995 Audi 90, 2003 VW Jetta, 1996 Toyota Camry).
Quicker, easier.
I am sold!
 
Flash Gordon said:
Bob, you think to much lol
Click to expand...

Thanks Flash, Ol'Buddy...(I think). LOL!


A couple of other questions I also think about sometimes:

I. "Does detailing clay/clay-towel pull contaminates/foreign material off of vehicle surfaces"...
as clays, and now clay-towels, are often described as performing?

a.) Actually...This sounds pretty silly to me, when I realize that a person has to lubricate the surface
they’re cleaning with the detail clay.

b.) Detailing clay works by hydroplaning (floating) over the surface you’re cleaning on
a thin layer of some type of clay-lubricant.

c.) (Now thinking as though clay/clay-towel were incarnated):

"How in the world do you pull on something that’s 'wet and slippery'"?


:D

Bob
 
I still use clay. It's cheap, readily available, works, and one bar seems to last me forever
 
I have a question!

If I drop the towel do I have to throw it away?

Bob, your nuts!
 
Flash Gordon said:
I have a question!

If I drop the towel do I have to throw it away?

Bob, your nuts!
Click to expand...

-To paraphrase Commodore Perry's famous quotation:

"Damn those nuts...full speed ahead"!!!



[^^^^The real difference between: "a squirrel and a swirl"<<< (M.P.)?!?!]


NOTE: BTW...
-I received all of my training from this Gentleman:
Im the MANIm the MANIm the MAN


:bolt:

Bob
 
I have looked into this towel and today was the first day i found out about it . I will be investing into one of these towel clay bar just takes so much time and time is money .
 
Flash - you can rinse the towel off. However.....I have found that if the rubber side of the towel is left out in the sun it softens it up a lot. If you dropped it while it was this soft, I highly doubt you could get all the dirt out of it. It's extremely sticky!

I actually ruined one by rolling it up wet onto the mf backing. Always have to let it dry out first. It dried out while I had it rolled up and it pulled the fibers out of the mf and I can't for the life of me get them out. So, I had to order a new one....

I actually just ordered the sm arnold fine towel as well as the regular. I have yet to try out the fine towel yet though.
 
If polishing is on the menu I'll use straight ultima elastrofoam block, it'll haze on soft paints but is much faster than clay...
If not, just claying for renewing and regular maintenance wax, I'll use sonüs ultra fine clay... It won't haze a thing on very soft paints.
 
I enjoy claying certain vehicles...I am anticipating OPTIMUM's release of Dr.G.'s decontamination towel, and reviews thereof before deciding purchase.

But I do have one question...

With claying, there is sensory perception throughout the process as to when the process is adequate...is it the same with such an aggressive product?
 
SeaJay's said:
I've been using the speedy prep towel now for about 3-4 months. And I love it! But I also still use clay on heavily soiled vehicles, softer paints, etc.

The speedy prep towel does cut your claying time by a lot. On average for a mid size sedan it was taking me around 45 minutes to clay the car. Now with the speedy prep towel it takes me about 20-25 minutes. That's a huge cut in time.

The towel obviously isn't for every situation and I always do a test spot on the car prior to using it to see if it's going to mar. Once the towel is broken in it doesn't mar most paints.

Definitely not a complete replacement for clay but another tool to help make our lives easier!
Click to expand...


Very well said Jason...
The speedy prep towel as well as the auto scrub help us cut our time by a whole lot but there are situations where clay is necessary...going away from clay all together would be something you'll regret if you choose to do so
 
Vegas Transplant said:
But I do have one question...

With claying, there is sensory perception throughout the process as to when the process is adequate...is it the same with such an aggressive product?
Click to expand...

Good question (and analysis)...VT!!:props:
(Good to see you AGO-Posting again, as well.)

Sensual perception(s), as it pertains to Clay, to me, is not only:
-'feeling' (even 'hearing' at times) the perceived 'roughness' of the surface, (while being clayed),
being reduced to a degree of acceptedness/adequateness...
...(to my satisfication of expected-results, that is); but...

Also the sensory perception(s) of how the now-clayed-surfaces are 'feeling' smoother than before
being clayed...and, at times, even some glossiness being imparted to the clayed surfaces.
Or, 'marring'.

-If it's true that different folks have better neuron(s)-activity than others...
then the above sensory perception(s) results will no doubt
vary between individuals and offer up conflicting results.

However...
-What I have proposed/alluded-to in my earlier postings is that claying/clay-toweling results/perceptions
are probably one of those: OOOH! AAAH! moments...where the perceived
sensory perceptions may be short-lived and misleading.

Of course this is dependent upon my understanding of the details concerning, (among others):
-CC's porosity
-Sheared-off contaminates locations
-Below surface contaminates/'dirts'
-Acid rain
-"Paint-swelling"
-Environmental Heat/Moisture 'Paint re-introduction'


Would a recommended-scheduled 'paint de-contamination system' be a wizened option
to also incorporate/utilize...into/for...a vehicle's detailing-session in order, perhaps, to ensure
a more complete:"vehicle-surfaces' cleanliness"?

(I realize that some vehicles may not be eligible for even a
regular car-wash session, let alone a de-con session.)


-How often should a vehicle be clayed/clay-toweled?
(De-contamination systems?---same question.)
-Is it really always needed before reaching for other
detailing-tools (machines, pads, chemicals, etc.)?
-Is polishing always necessary after claying?

I shall stop here...


:)

Bob
 
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I've noticed that a lot of people saying they won't change from clay have never tried the speedy prep towel. If you use the FINE version, I have noticed no marring whatsoever.

Try it and then see what you decide. I for one, am never going to use clay again :)
 
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