Nanoskin or SM Arnold or ??

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jrs1418

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My Clay bars are finally just about done so i'm heavily considering these.

I need at least 2 mediums grades and 2 Fine grades because we always have 2 people claying cars. To buy 4 towels @ $60 each is like buying 8-10 200G clay bars (cost wise), so I'm having a hard time justifying the cost

I like the Nano skin 4" pads because they're available in a 2 pack. I also plan on using them by hand, not by machine.

Anyone have any advice before I make the plunge?

Does anyone know if the towels can be cut in half and still last? Feed back please
 
i just tried out my Opti Eraser yesterday... i didnt like it.

I am also looking for clay alternatives, i got my eyes on the speedy prep towel....

Im not a fan of the nanoskin using a machine to clay.... I dont want to operate a machine with liquid flying around constantly....
 
I have both the 4" and 6" pads as well as the Nanoskin wash mitts (both grades). I virtually stop using clay altogether.

Personally, I prefer the mitt over the pad when it comes to light/fine claying. I noticed I have a bit more control over the process. I guess I am old school. I like to feel my way through the paint. I don't want to risk any marring (especially if LSP is the next step).

When it comes to med/heavy claying, its the pad over the mitt. Marring is not an issue since I always polish after med/heavy claying anyway.

The initial cost is higher but you are making it up in speed and efficiency. The fact that you don't have to throw it away if dropped is another factor. Since I am a one man show, these products tremendously reduce the wear and tear on my body. This in itself is worth the price.
 
jrs1418 said:
My Clay bars are finally just about done so i'm heavily considering these.

I need at least 2 mediums grades and 2 Fine grades because we always have 2 people claying cars. To buy 4 towels @ $60 each is like buying 8-10 200G clay bars (cost wise), so I'm having a hard time justifying the cost

I like the Nano skin 4" pads because they're available in a 2 pack. I also plan on using them by hand, not by machine.

Anyone have any advice before I make the plunge?

Does anyone know if the towels can be cut in half and still last? Feed back please
Click to expand...

I tried my Nanoskin autoscrub wash mitt for the first time today. I've gotta tell ya this thing really works. You can feel the smooth surface within seconds of use.

So, if you want to consider cost you have to factor in it last about 10x as long, if dropped not all is lost and you can decontaminate your ride in less than half the time.

Seems to me it is a wise investment. I am certain I'll never purchase clay ever again.
 
tkendrick said:
I tried my Nanoskin autoscrub wash mitt for the first time today. I've gotta tell ya this thing really works. You can feel the smooth surface within seconds of use.

So, if you want to consider cost you have to factor in it last about 10x as long, if dropped not all is lost and you can decontaminate your ride in less than half the time.

Seems to me it is a wise investment. I am certain I'll never purchase clay ever again.
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Everything you said I couldnt agree more with. Does clay have a spot in your company? No doubt. But this is a smart investment and will pay you back in time and the amount of cars you're able to compete. My professional opinion is buy the sm Arnold speedy prep towel medium and fine. Let your guys use them and report back. I promise they will love this much more
 
well they aren't $60 if you just get the towel and price match it with a competitor, they are $50, so that saves you $40 over four towels right there. Use a concentrated clay lube like UWW+ to save even more.

I think the towel is the most versatile of all the clay alternatives because it doesn't require a machine, gives great tactile feedback, and is easy to store and wash.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_kX6RwRgjA]Speedy Surface Prep Towel Review : Clay Alternative - YouTube[/video]
 
I bought a Nanoskin pad to use on my Porter Cable and still have not used it, lol. I kinda like the clay because it's more hands-on... no pun intended, I guess. I spent nearly $60 on that pad, too, and it's still sitting in my PC bag. I imagine it'll come in handy someday, though.
 
I let mine sit too..until this morning. Had to clean black daily driver that's pretty beat. Holy crap! Broke out the Glide and mixed it, and put down the fine pad with the PC. It slings some, with too much water down on the surface, but the time you save is huge. It's pretty easy to figure out the happy medium spot with the Glide spray. Get yours out of the box and give it a go!
 
I have the nanoskin mitt and DA pad, and I have to say that I have also stopped using detailing clay altogether (almost)

My biggest disappointment is that I don't have the satisfaction of going "check the crap I just pulled from that hood". There is no more picture of dirty clay and it made me careless. I don't give a second thought about dropping my clay mitt on the floor whereas I use to be meticulously neurotic about dropping my detailing clay.

But seriously, the time savings are ridiculous.
 
I do not like the towel. This is what I do. I use the aggressive grade with machine and the fine grade by hand-

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuQnCaH4vm4]The Auto Scrubber by Nanoskins. - YouTube[/video]
 
I have a 6" pad I've used it a couple of times. $55
I have a towel I use it a lot! 20+ cars so far $60
I have two Nanoskin AUTOSCRUB Sponges $12.95

Everything I have is FINE grade and works no prob.
They are all Polymerized rubber and rinse right off.
You could purchase a MED speedy Sponge $12.95?

I have one Optimum Opti-Eraser FINE Grade $20
I'm not a fan of the acrylic resin it leaves marring.
 
i havent used the prep towel but i heard it mars if your not careful, i just used the nanoskin on my DA and it rocked on flat large panels (hood, door, roof, etc) but on tighter areas i use the opti eraser for the bumber around the mirrors antenna etc. And using the nano skin at such a low speed you hardly fling lube or anything. Even if you do you, still gotta wash after claying so it doesnt really matter
 
I have the wash mitt (fine) and love it.....easy to use and wash off after each panel. The only thing I have noticed is that if I'm on a edge or not careful I will get some black marks from the mitt.

But seriously, the time savings are ridiculous.
Click to expand...

:iagree:This is Huge to me.....its a real time saver and does a great job. I always polish so if there is any marring it gets taken care of anyway.
 
fenderpicks said:
i just tried out my Opti Eraser yesterday... i didnt like it.

I am also looking for clay alternatives, i got my eyes on the speedy prep towel....

Im not a fan of the nanoskin using a machine to clay.... I dont want to operate a machine with liquid flying around constantly....
Click to expand...


be careful with the speedy prep... I have a thread....
 
Im in the same boat as I need an alternative to a clay bar and I still havent made up my mind which I would like to try. The towel and wash mitt seem to be the best route for saving time.
 
I would recommend the Nanoskin washmitt not the pads. The pads marr the paint quite a bit.
 
i just spoke with the SM Arnold Rep and he suggested trying their pads over the speedy prep towel...he said they sell more of those with the hand straps instead of the towels...i think ill go that route.
 
psnt1ol said:
The initial cost is higher but you are making it up in speed and efficiency. The fact that you don't have to throw it away if dropped is another factor. Since I am a one man show, these products tremendously reduce the wear and tear on my body. This in itself is worth the price.
Click to expand...

This is exactly how I see it. Pay now in cash, or pay later in wasted time and shoulder/back pain. For what I do most of the time I use the pad with a DA.

If I get maintenance washes or do decontaminations on already polished paints, I go the chemical decontamination route using Iron-X or other Iron removing chemicals.
 
primo spaghetti said:
i just spoke with the SM Arnold Rep and he suggested trying their pads over the speedy prep towel...he said they sell more of those with the hand straps instead of the towels...i think ill go that route.
Click to expand...

Where can you get the hand strap for the pad?
 
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