What Is Your Favorite Clay?

Mister B

Mister B

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Of all the different detailing clays that Autogeek sells, which one is your favorite?

Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
XMT Speed Clay
Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay
DP Universal Detailing Clay
Poorboys World Clay
Four Star Detailing Clay
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay
Meguiar's Blue Professional Mild Clay

I have only ever used the Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay and Meguiar's Blue Professional Mild clay, and I like the blue mild clay the best just because the mild clay removes contaminants faster and still does not mar the finish.

I need to buy some more clay soon and I would like to hear what everyone elses favorite Clay is and why. I'm open to new suggestions

Thanks
 
For mild clay I use the Pinnacle Ultra Clay (green). For first time claying and other cars I usually grab the Wolfgang Bar as I cut it into smaller pieces and have a fresh piece and feel it offers a little more power.
 
I haven't tried many, but like Pinnacle Ultra Poly the best. Was easy to work with, didn't stick to my fingers to bad, and did a good job cleaning my car.
 
Mister B said:
Not really. Some are more or less aggressive than others.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right, but I mean aside from that. I thought that since clay magic owns the patent to clay, all of the products are effectively the same, except for the agressiveness.

So, if product X and product Y are of the same "aggressiveness", doesn't it follow that they are essentially the same?

I'm not sure, I could be wrong... I am asking the question more than anything else. I've tried a handful of clays and the only one that I've tried (which is sold in America) that felt a bit different (to me) was Zaino's Clay.
 
Has anyone tried the "Ice" - Liquid Clay/ "regular Clay" combo. I saw it recently at an auto parts store and the idea is to "pre-treat" with the liquid clay (wipe on wipe off with some gentle rubbing) followed by the regular procedure. Seemed to make some sense in terms of making "claying" easier or faster. The clay bar in the set is 100g - which is a nice bonus. Nothing is worse than scratch inducing dirty clay. It is probable that the clays listed in this question all have variable properties and rates of effectiveness - I've only tried two. Going forward, in addition to effectivenes, "size" will matter for me as I recently scratched up a couple panels by trying to make my clay last through the job. If you clay regularly this is far less an issue but a car that has not been clayed in several years (or ever) gets your clay dirty pretty quick.

Also, as I hate to clay but realize it is necessary - I was looking at this clay holding "pad" offered at Autogeek. Seems like it would be good for the wider, more open panels. Anyone tried it?

Paintwork Clay Pad Applicator

Best Regards,

Martin
 
mfortier said:
Nothing is worse than scratch inducing dirty clay.

Going forward, in addition to effectivenes, "size" will matter for me as I recently scratched up a couple panels by trying to make my clay last through the job. If you clay regularly this is far less an issue but a car that has not been clayed in several years (or ever) gets your clay dirty pretty quick.

Best Regards,

Martin
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I've never induced scratches via clay (Who knows about micro-scratching?) since I have started doing it.

I guess I understand what you are getting at, if a car is so dirty then you would get the clay pretty dirty.

My understanding is with proper lubrication and minimal pressure, scratches should not be induced into the clear coat via clay. If there is a large enough piece of debris in the clay that it would induce scratches, it should be easily seen and removed from the clay with a fingernail.

Now dropping it on the ground is an entirely difference scenario, but otherwise you should not have to worry about scratches. Without seeing the vehicle in question or your technique, I would guess it has to do more with a lack of lubrication or too much pressure.
 
PB's Clay just used it this weekend, amazing!

in past I have used:

Pinnacle
Wolfgang


The PB picked way more dirt and grime.
 
I used Pinnacle Green clay is nice for cars that aren't to bad. Wolgang is my product of chose sonce most of the car I do are pretty bad and I need to get alot of grime off.
 
Clay Magic blue - I've been using it for 6 years. Tried others, keep coming back to CM.

Regards,
GEWB
 
I have only used 2 different clays. One was Meguiars white clay that comes in the Smooth Surface Clay Kit, and the other was Mothers Clay Kit. I prefer the Meguiars only because I dont like the smell of the QD that Mothers kit comes with. The Mothers Kit does however come with more clay so that is nice.

When I place my next order here I am going to buy a gallon of Megs Last Touch QD and purchase clay on its own as opposed to in the OTC kit. As much QD as I use after washes and for claying makes sense to me.
:xyxthumbs:
 
Out of what i used that is sold here Megs smooth clay kit,Megs Blue,and The DP universal . I like the DP works great .
 
Griots clay is nice for a general purpose clay. The Pinnacle poly clay is a realy easy to use clay for lighter duty claying.
 
I don't find much difference in terms of brands of clay. Just note that there are different grades of coarseness and use the right one for the job.
 
gewb said:
Clay Magic blue - I've been using it for 6 years (I've used it for about 10 years). Tried others, keep coming back to CM.

Regards,
GEWB
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:iagree: :wow: I better run for saying that. :bolt:
 
I've only used the Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay so far, I have 3 bars of Pinnacle Poly clay but I still haven't used up my smooth surface clay.

I really like the Meguiar's stuff, it's nice.

I used Pinnacle Clay Lube for the first time yesterday and it's AMAZING! Wipes off easily too. I was using the Meguiar's Quik Detailer for the lube before that, and the DP Clay Lube is easily 100x better!

I think I'll probably bust open the Pinnacle clay next time just so I can use it 'coz I can't wait :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs: :D


mfortier said:
Has anyone tried the "Ice" - Liquid Clay/ "regular Clay" combo. I saw it recently at an auto parts store and the idea is to "pre-treat" with the liquid clay (wipe on wipe off with some gentle rubbing) followed by the regular procedure.
Click to expand...
Is that the Turtle Wax one you're talking about? I tried it before I bought my first 'real' clay bar (which was a Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay kit- stayed with them untill I ordered some of the Pinnacle, as above). IMO, the Turtle Wax Ice clay was craptastic! It did nothing at all. Even after a huge amount of rubbing, all I ended up with was a sore arm and money down the drain.


mfortier said:
Also, as I hate to clay but realize it is necessary - I was looking at this clay holding "pad" offered at Autogeek. Seems like it would be good for the wider, more open panels. Anyone tried it?
Click to expand...
Haha really? It's my favorite part. I just luuuuvvvv claying. (you know we need a claying emoticon :p)
 
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Gary Sword said:
Just note that there are different grades of coarseness and use the right one for the job.
Click to expand...

Of all the clays that I listed, I only see where the Meguiar's blue (mild) clay and the Pinnacle ultra (fine) poly clay actually list whether they are a fine, mild or aggressive clay. I do not see anywhere in the descriptions of any of the other clays whether they are a fine, mild or aggressive, unless I missed this information somewhere else?

It would be nice if all the clays listed in their descriptions the different grades of coarseness to make the selection process easier to ensure that the end user selects the correct clay for the job.

I know that there is no standard measurement for the coarseness of clay bars, but it would be nice to have a ball park estimation listed to make the selection process easier.
 
Matt said:
I've only used the Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay so far, I have 3 bars of Pinnacle Poly clay but I still haven't used up my smooth surface clay.

I really like the Meguiar's stuff, it's nice.

I used Pinnacle Clay Lube for the first time yesterday and it's AMAZING! Wipes off easily too. I was using the Meguiar's Quik Detailer for the lube before that, and the DP Clay Lube is easily 100x better!

I think I'll probably bust open the Pinnacle clay next time just so I can use it 'coz I can't wait :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs: :D
Click to expand...

Since you've used both Pinnacle Poly Clay and Meg's Smooth Surface Clay Kit, what are you final impressions? I have Meg's Smooth Surface Clay Kit at home, unopened, but I can always take it back with the receipt if it isn't 100% what I need (my vehicle is only six days old and was purchased with 11 miles on it, so it will only need a very mild claying).

Pinnacle brand Poly Clay seems to be getting awesome marks all around the forum, ESPECIALLY for brand new cars with light nearly invisible contamination, just from sitting on the car lot basically. ALSO, COULD YOU/OTHERS EXPLAIN WHY THE PINNACLE CLAY LUBRICANT IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN USING A SIMPLE QD OF ANY VARIETY PLEASE? Thanks! :)
 
Matt said:
I've only used the Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay so far, I have 3 bars of Pinnacle Poly clay but I still haven't used up my smooth surface clay.

I really like the Meguiar's stuff, it's nice.

I used Pinnacle Clay Lube for the first time yesterday and it's AMAZING! Wipes off easily too. I was using the Meguiar's Quik Detailer for the lube before that, and the DP Clay Lube is easily 100x better!

I think I'll probably bust open the Pinnacle clay next time just so I can use it 'coz I can't wait :xyxthumbs::xyxthumbs: :D



Is that the Turtle Wax one you're talking about? I tried it before I bought my first 'real' clay bar (which was a Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay kit- stayed with them untill I ordered some of the Pinnacle, as above). IMO, the Turtle Wax Ice clay was craptastic! It did nothing at all. Even after a huge amount of rubbing, all I ended up with was a sore arm and money down the drain.



Haha really? It's my favorite part. I just luuuuvvvv claying. (you know we need a claying emoticon :p)
Click to expand...


Me too. I love to clay - do it about twice a year on my DD, and I LOVE how smooth the paint feels afterwards.

Thus far, I have mainly used the DP clay, and it works great. I have used DP clay lube as well as ONR (at the recommended clay lube dilution ratio), and they are both fine. The DP clay does get a little sticky, but I'm not sure how that compares with others because I have not tried the other ones (although I own some of them).
 
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