What is the best clay product

[Datdabid]

I know that there are clay bars, clay towels and clay mitts. What is the best product to use to clay car? Are there any brands that you think are best?

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[Davidwnuc]

I like this a lot.

works good for me

 

[Rinn69]

I like this a lot.

works good for me

x2. I went away from the clay bar after dropping it once, and had to throw it away. Drop ^^ that one, just rinse it off and carry on

 

[Riddick]

The mothers is a nice piece but I generally pick up some clay bars of amazon and use a quality quick detailer for lube. You can pick up generic clay bars of Amazon for cheap, use them once and toss them in the trash. I really don't think one is better than the other, important thing is having a clean clay bar, good lube, and a clean surface (freshly washed).

 

[Davidwnuc]

Lube is your friend no matter what you choose.

 

[staying_tuned]

I've been using Chemical Guys bars for years. Yellow for maintenance, gray for that first clay where you're pulling up visible chunks of embedded material, paint overspray, tar etc. I got a gallon of their "luber" product and just refill an old spray bottle, that gallon has lasted me the whole time and I spray the heck out of it every year on all our vehicles.

FWIW just about every Mothers/Meguiar's/Turtle box-store bar will be a yellow/mild equivalent great for new cars but if you have something a few years old you have to excessivly work areas to pull everything out. Kind of a waste but it keeps you buying the little silly kits.

The mitts and towels are nonsense seriously, stick with bars.

For lube, some use just a soap/water mix but I've found its actually too slippery and the clay neither picks up as much nor can be held onto easily.

To test if the surface is clear of embedded contaminants use a piece of plastic (zip-loc bag works great) between your fingers and the paint and just run your hand along it while you clay. The plastic will amplify any imperfections that you can't see but will easily feel.

 

[Derekmson]

Honestly, clay bars are the best but the fact you drop them and they are basically trash has made me switch to a mitt. Its faster, cheaper long term but it sonly 85-95% as effect as a bar. I just detail my own cars so limited use but the clay mitt is smart of business. its faster too.

 

[Cb Mw]

If you're doing a thorough clay, followed by a machine polish - a traditional clay bar is good.

Personally once I began using synthetic mitts/towels I never went back. They are so versatile, I use them lightly for quarterly decontamination washes. They last forever if you take care of them and therfore they are more cost effective over time.

Towel vs mitt is a personal preference. I like towel because they can be folded and flipped during use for efficiency.

Go for a reputable detailing brand rather than a knockoff. I've used nanoskin for years when they were one of the main players. Now I prefer the perforated type like rag company and DIY Detail. They are awesome. I believe Adam's also has one but haven't tried it.

A light synthetic towel properly lubed, on a clean surface, does not produce any micro marring or swirls in my experience.

 

[TopOMichXL]

I have no idea what clay brand is best, but I’ve been using Meguiars purchased at Waltons five and dime.

I tear one third off one of the two bars in the box. Fold it over often, especially if you feel the clay snagging impurities off the finish.

Yes, if you drop it, you need to pitch the piece, unless you drop it on an insanely clean surface. I’ve had good luck not dropping, but have tossed a couple pieces in the nine years I’ve been using clay bars.

I don’t think brand is as important as using plenty of lubricant. I use the detailing spray that comes with the clay bars.

It is worth the effort. Traded in my last truck and the person that estimated my trade asked, “Do you even drive this thing?”

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