Review - Hi-Tech Body Sponge

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Wolf-Strong

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Sorry no pictures just yet! I will take some tomorrow when I do a detail tomorrow! (Forgot my camera today)

Hi-Tech Body Sponge
hitechsponge.jpg


Now I first heard about this on another forum. Supposivly this $15 sponge will last 20-30 cars, is super versitile, and easy to use. Of course, being a hyped-up product by a no-name company made me sceptical. (Note: It is note made or branded to Auto Detailer Solutions; they are just a distributor). The person I heard it from gave it a great review saying that it did an incredible job at cleaning, and all that. Now lately, the cost of Clay as been killing me and it takes so long to clay a car, so I thought, for $15, it was worth a shot. Also ordered some Last Touch which is an amazing product FYI, but that is a different story.

When I received the Sponge, it came in nothing more than in sealed plastic with a piece of paper for instructions. I took it out, and the first thing I noticed is that the 'clay' part is just a VERY soft rubber that almost reminds me of silicon. The sponge part feels almost exactly like a Polishing pad from a Rotary or PC. Overall, it looks a bit shady on this thing lasting 30 cars, so I highly doubt that. I would give it more in the range of 15-20 at most. I also began to think on how the sponge can hold water, which would mean that can cool it making it much more effective.

Today, I just finished detailing an Audi V8 1990. Being pearl white, the industrial fallout was ALL OVER this car. I had already gone over it for about 3-4 hours with clay, and the stuff wasn't coming out, so this is what motivated me to get the Sponge. I also bought a small bucket to put water in, and mixed some Gold Class soup in it (note: I put the soap in AFTER I filled the bucket; I didn't want suds, i wanted soapy water). At first I tried with just Last Touch, and while this worked, I then decided to dump it in the bucket and load the Sponge with water. WOW This thing holds a lot of liquid! I then started moving it over the surface, slowly gaining confidence, and almost immediatly, it made my prior 4 hours of claying look like childs-play! What I had previously thought was a great looking surface was taken to a new level! Specs of industrial fallout just vanished!

Amazed, I also noticed something else. I could seriously feel how rough the paint was through the sponge, and then when it was done because the sponge felt as if it was going over a smooth surface. It wasn't the regular 'listen then feel with hand' that you get with clay. You can tell with just the sponge. I also noticed that the sponge part (not rubber) is a great tool as well. Instead of laying the rubber directly on a dry surface, take the sponge, and just run it quickly across the surface area you are working on, then start up with the 'claying'. Guys, I have never been so excited about a product like this after using it for a long while now. This thing seriously only takes a fraction of the time to get the same job done as regular clay. I was completely done in about 1-1.5 hours (well 2 if you include all the experimenting I was doing). I will also say that after using it, I actually don't think it will scratch the surface as feared. I was using it all day, and not once did I ever have this problem. Dropping it isn't a problem either because you just rinse it off! Here is why and some tips:

I defiantly prefer the water mixed with Gold Class. Gold Class provided a VERY slick layer between the paint and the sponge and even after wiping down with a microfiber (that was obviously a little moist) it still had a layer of soap. This provided to be a great combination that cleaned the paint very safely. When using it, it seems actually almost fool proof. Gave it to a friend who never used it before, and used it with ease. The harder you press, the more soap comes out, to provide more lubrication. The lighter you press (to a point), the more aggressive it is. After about one panel you will learn about what pressure you should use. Also, I HIGHLY recommend using the two bucket system with grit-guards as you would use during washing. That or have one bucket with a grit guard and a hose to rinse it off. This rubber 'clay' picks up a lot of stuff that actually embeds itself into it, and you don't rinse it off, you will scratch the paint. What I did was simply dunk the sponge in the bucket quickly (which gave it enough lubricant for the next section) and used my hand to rub off the surface. Amazingly, this worked really well. Work in small sections at a time and don't get over zealous. I would recommend small 1x1' squares at a time when you do your finishing touches, and 3'x3' when you are doing the general 'clay.

Now for the Cons of it. The instructions say to rinse it off often, and they are not joking You seriously have to rinse/clean the rubber after every section. Once you run out of lubricant, that is a good indicator of when you need to rinse it off (remember, I just quickly dipped it, not let it absorb all the way). If you let it completely absorb all the water, and the cars surface is pretty rough, I would even rinse twice per panel. After using it today, I definatly don't think it will last more than 15 cars. It also is no good at getting into TIGHT (as in 1mm between the paint and another section) places. If there isn't at least 3-5mm of space, it just won't get in there. Once you finish the vehicle, you defiantly need to rinse the car down. I didn't have a hose, so I just took some Last Touch (Quick Detailer) and went over the car. This removed the soap film, and worked just as well.

Now outside of that, I give this product two thumbs up, and truly believe that it is my complete clay replacement. I am not joking, it is really that good. If you are thinking about getting it, just get it anyways. At the very least, it will be one of those tools that you will always carry around with you.

EDIT: Removed link because I was told it is against the rules. If you want to know where to get it, just PM me.
 
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Thejoyofdriving said:
Wow, thanks, that looks like a really cool product. I think i am going to try it. I wonder if the pinnacle safe scrub sponge would yield similar results. oh and ya i would remove the link.
Completely different product. I will be doing a detail tomorrow with pictures, and on Sunday I hope to do my black BMW and post results on that.
 
Wolf-Strong said:
Sorry no pictures just yet! I will take some tomorrow when I do a detail tomorrow! (Forgot my camera today)

Hi-Tech Body Sponge
hitechsponge.jpg


Now I first heard about this on another forum. Supposivly this $15 sponge will last 20-30 cars, is super versitile, and easy to use. Of course, being a hyped-up product by a no-name company made me sceptical. (Note: It is note made or branded to Auto Detailer Solutions; they are just a distributor). The person I heard it from gave it a great review saying that it did an incredible job at cleaning, and all that. Now lately, the cost of Clay as been killing me and it takes so long to clay a car, so I thought, for $15, it was worth a shot. Also ordered some Last Touch which is an amazing product FYI, but that is a different story.

When I received the Sponge, it came in nothing more than in sealed plastic with a piece of paper for instructions. I took it out, and the first thing I noticed is that the 'clay' part is just a VERY soft rubber that almost reminds me of silicon. The sponge part feels almost exactly like a Polishing pad from a Rotary or PC. Overall, it looks a bit shady on this thing lasting 30 cars, so I highly doubt that. I would give it more in the range of 15-20 at most. I also began to think on how the sponge can hold water, which would mean that can cool it making it much more effective.

Today, I just finished detailing an Audi V8 1990. Being pearl white, the industrial fallout was ALL OVER this car. I had already gone over it for about 3-4 hours with clay, and the stuff wasn't coming out, so this is what motivated me to get the Sponge. I also bought a small bucket to put water in, and mixed some Gold Class soup in it (note: I put the soap in AFTER I filled the bucket; I didn't want suds, i wanted soapy water). At first I tried with just Last Touch, and while this worked, I then decided to dump it in the bucket and load the Sponge with water. WOW This thing holds a lot of liquid! I then started moving it over the surface, slowly gaining confidence, and almost immediatly, it made my prior 4 hours of claying look like childs-play! What I had previously thought was a great looking surface was taken to a new level! Specs of industrial fallout just vanished!

Amazed, I also noticed something else. I could seriously feel how rough the paint was through the sponge, and then when it was done because the sponge felt as if it was going over a smooth surface. It wasn't the regular 'listen then feel with hand' that you get with clay. You can tell with just the sponge. I also noticed that the sponge part (not rubber) is a great tool as well. Instead of laying the rubber directly on a dry surface, take the sponge, and just run it quickly across the surface area you are working on, then start up with the 'claying'. Guys, I have never been so excited about a product like this after using it for a long while now. This thing seriously only takes a fraction of the time to get the same job done as regular clay. I was completely done in about 1-1.5 hours (well 2 if you include all the experimenting I was doing). I will also say that after using it, I actually don't think it will scratch the surface as feared. I was using it all day, and not once did I ever have this problem. Dropping it isn't a problem either because you just rinse it off! Here is why and some tips:

I defiantly prefer the water mixed with Gold Class. Gold Class provided a VERY slick layer between the paint and the sponge and even after wiping down with a microfiber (that was obviously a little moist) it still had a layer of soap. This provided to be a great combination that cleaned the paint very safely. When using it, it seems actually almost fool proof. Gave it to a friend who never used it before, and used it with ease. The harder you press, the more soap comes out, to provide more lubrication. The lighter you press (to a point), the more aggressive it is. After about one panel you will learn about what pressure you should use. Also, I HIGHLY recommend using the two bucket system with grit-guards as you would use during washing. That or have one bucket with a grit guard and a hose to rinse it off. This rubber 'clay' picks up a lot of stuff that actually embeds itself into it, and you don't rinse it off, you will scratch the paint. What I did was simply dunk the sponge in the bucket quickly (which gave it enough lubricant for the next section) and used my hand to rub off the surface. Amazingly, this worked really well. Work in small sections at a time and don't get over zealous. I would recommend small 1x1' squares at a time when you do your finishing touches, and 3'x3' when you are doing the general 'clay.

Now for the Cons of it. The instructions say to rinse it off often, and they are not joking You seriously have to rinse/clean the rubber after every section. Once you run out of lubricant, that is a good indicator of when you need to rinse it off (remember, I just quickly dipped it, not let it absorb all the way). If you let it completely absorb all the water, and the cars surface is pretty rough, I would even rinse twice per panel. After using it today, I definatly don't think it will last more than 15 cars. It also is no good at getting into TIGHT (as in 1mm between the paint and another section) places. If there isn't at least 3-5mm of space, it just won't get in there. Once you finish the vehicle, you defiantly need to rinse the car down. I didn't have a hose, so I just took some Last Touch (Quick Detailer) and went over the car. This removed the soap film, and worked just as well.

Now outside of that, I give this product two thumbs up, and truly believe that it is my complete clay replacement. I am not joking, it is really that good. If you are thinking about getting it, just get it anyways. At the very least, it will be one of those tools that you will always carry around with you.

EDIT: Removed link because I was told it is against the rules. If you want to know where to get it, just PM me.
I don't think your link will be allowed. your best bet - just post a picture.
Second, when you are a newbie, and start talking about competitors products that might be considered as you are working for a competitor and trying to sell their stuff here (SCAM). AND NO SELLING IS ALLOWED.
 
supercharged said:
I don't think your link will be allowed. your best bet - just post a picture.
Second, when you are a newbie, and start talking about competitors products that might be considered as you are working for a competitor and trying to sell their stuff here (SCAM). AND NO SELLING IS ALLOWED.
Take it easy on him, he's new. And imagine how long it took him to write that, he writes a hell of a review.
 
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Thejoyofdriving said:
Take it easy on him, he's new. And imagine how long it took him to write that, he writes a hell of a review.
Thanks. I have no affiliation to any retailers of any aut-related products period. Supercharged does make a good point though, and from what I have heard, he is a very respected person here, so I definatly respect what he said. Hell, if Autogeek sold it, I would of got it through here since it would probably be cheaper. I originally typed this for another forum, and thought since I do browse these forums at least once every few days, I might as well post it here.

Infact, the link I posted, they are just a retailer and don't even own the product at all. A company called Hi-Tech Industries I believe owns the rights on both the Elastrofoam and this body sponge.

It is an honst-to-god review, and I really do believe AutoGeek should start selling it! I know the Ultima system sells it and it is being voted on as a possible product line AG will bring on (I voted Chemical Guys). They call it the "Elastrofoam" though. Same thing if I am not mistaken, but you are seriously paying all for the lubricant which isn't worth it IMO. Soap and water work fantastic!
 
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Best review I've seen on this product. I would be interested in trying this.
 
When our we gonna have a 'Cop' on this board ? Pease delete the above post !

If we don't then I'm going do a review of my Favorite new product 3M Ultrafina SE ...

You see where I'm going ....well do you?
 
Excellent review! very well covered and to the point! Sounds like a very good product! -Mike-
 
Just used it ony my trunk (black paint). It definaly did its job. The trunk didn't appear to get scratched at all. Guys the key behind this product is keeping it clean. So long as you keep it clean and lubricated, I don't see any problems with it.

I wrote this review because it is a unique product that is fairly new.
 
Wolf-Strong said:
Just used it ony my trunk (black paint). It definaly did its job. The trunk didn't appear to get scratched at all. Guys the key behind this product is keeping it clean. So long as you keep it clean and lubricated, I don't see any problems with it.

I wrote this review because it is a unique product that is fairly new.

Good job:applause:
 
Gentleman, based upon the updated rules from Admin I must close this post to be used and reviewed as wanted. We have not yet "officially" accepted or declined the Ultima and line and this product. Formal reviews of competitors products are no longer allowed, sorry.
 
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