Synthetic "clay bar" blocks/pads etc...

DSG2003Mach1 · Mar 4, 2021

I was interested to know other's experiences with these things/brand recommendations.

We've got a 4 door 8' bed super duty that badly needs to be corrected and waxed. I've got a PC and some polishing pads/polishes but I can't stomach the idea of trying to use a clay bar on it. Where it sits at works it collects a lot of dust and such so I know it's going to need a lot of work. If I have my 2 cousins give me a hand was thinking the blocks or mitts might be the way to go with 3 of us going at it.

*Jay* · Mar 4, 2021

I am currently using a Nanoskin fine (Blue) clay towel and dont see a reason to go back to traditional clay. I like it better than the Mothers Speed Clay sponge I used previously as well. Its so fast and easy to use I dont see a need to call in the re-enforcements unless you just want some company, the real time sink is going to be the polish/correction with the DA. Just make sure you give it a real thorough wash and strip. I havent used IronX yet but most people suggest using that as well before going through with a paint correction. Be sure to post up some before/after pics.

AustinSN · Mar 4, 2021

The nanoskins are the best I've used.

The mothers was absolute shit. When I pulled the stripes off of my GT350 I had some light residue on the deck lid that I couldn't get off, I went out and bought the mothers, not only did it not work, I couldn't get it to pull any contaminants out of the rest of the paint.

I like some of the mothers stuff, their CMX is pretty good for what it is (also the R3 rubber remover works well), and I try to support them because they support F1 but their clay products aren't worth it.

Make sure you break in the nanoskin on the windshield. I had one I clayed 4 different cars with before it ended up kind of melting because I left it in my detail box in the sun.

Both red and blue work really well.

NastyGT500 · Mar 4, 2021

The towels or mitts are the way to go on such a big vehicle as that. They will take care of removing contaminants just fine. I have an assortment of mitts, towels, blocks, etc in Medium and Fine grades.

They work great.

Pro tip: If they are brand new, 'break them in' on your glass.

DSG2003Mach1 · Mar 4, 2021

NastyGT500 said:
The towels or mitts are the way to go on such a big vehicle as that. They will take care of removing contaminants just fine. I have an assortment of mitts, towels, blocks, etc in Medium and Fine grades.

They work great.

Pro tip: If they are brand new, 'break them in' on your glass.

Thanks

mod you like the nanoskin brand as well?

lastly with clay bars I always used car soap in a spray bottle, any reason not to keep doing that?

*Jay* · Mar 5, 2021

DSG2003Mach1 said:
lastly with clay bars I always used car soap in a spray bottle, any reason not to keep doing that?

I clay towel our cars right after a thorough rinseless wash without drying until after I clay. I use a separate bucket with rinseless wash at QD strength dilution, if you use wash soap I suggest doubling the amount per gallon. You want to be able to rinse the clay towel/mitt off after each section, get the area nice and wet with the extra strength wash soap solution and then go to town with the clay towel.

DSG2003Mach1 · Mar 5, 2021

*Jay* said:
I clay towel our cars right after a thorough rinseless wash without drying until after I clay. I use a separate bucket with rinseless wash at QD strength dilution, if you use wash soap I suggest doubling the amount per gallon. You want to be able to rinse the clay towel/mitt off after each section, get the area nice and wet with the extra strength wash soap solution and then go to town with the clay towel.

it was only like $10 so I just added the nanoskin concentrate stuff, I'll mix that stuff up. Ordered a 6" pad for the buffer and the 2 pack of sponges for smaller areas.

now i need to figure out wax for this behemoth, still have pads and polishes

NastyGT500 · Mar 5, 2021

Yes, I like the nanoskin brand, just picked a bunch up, they had like a 50% off sale!

I will also use my wash/shampoo mixture as clay lube. Also have used a high %/ratio of rinseless/waterless, or a detail spray. I will also use a dedicated clay lube--DoDo Juice Born Slippery is one of my favorites.

DaveWertz · Mar 15, 2021

Not trying to Hijack here but has anyone used Some like Mcquires Spray clay iron remover instead of the traditional clay bar or mit? The part I dread the most is this step. I was just looking at some iron removers and came across this. Seems to good to be true... But since I will be working on my black car and bike I would hate to have tried it, just to have it fail in return leaving flaws.

5.0Black · Mar 15, 2021

DaveWertz said:
Not trying to Hijack here but has anyone used Some like Mcquires Spray clay iron remover instead of the traditional clay bar or mit? The part I dread the most is this step. I was just looking at some iron removers and came across this. Seems to good to be true... But since I will be working on my black car and bike I would hate to have tried it, just to have it fail in return leaving flaws.

IMO a fallout spray doesn't really replace claying. A fallout spray and clay bar/mitt should be used as a team instead of an either or. A fallow out spray is good at embedded contaminants (brake dust and other harmful fallout deposits) that are eating their way into the cracks in your clear, where as claying is good at removing bonded contaminants (overspray, sap etc). Fallout spray will not remove all the contaminants in your clear, just as claying will not remove all the fallout deposits (take the top off basically). You need both to properly remove contaminants from your car. You will also find that in using both that the overall process is smoother/quicker.

As far as claying goes, the nanoskin pads/mitts are 100% worth it. The save a tremendous amount of time over traditional claying, ot at least for me lol.

DaveWertz · Mar 22, 2021

5.0Black said:
IMO a fallout spray doesn't really replace claying. A fallout spray and clay bar/mitt should be used as a team instead of an either or. A fallow out spray is good at embedded contaminants (brake dust and other harmful fallout deposits) that are eating their way into the cracks in your clear, where as claying is good at removing bonded contaminants (overspray, sap etc). Fallout spray will not remove all the contaminants in your clear, just as claying will not remove all the fallout deposits (take the top off basically). You need both to properly remove contaminants from your car. You will also find that in using both that the overall process is smoother/quicker.

As far as claying goes, the nanoskin pads/mitts are 100% worth it. The save a tremendous amount of time over traditional claying, ot at least for me lol.

What about Mothers Speed Clay 2.0? I'm over the traditional clay method, The speed clay gadget looks like it could work well. Time saving to boot. Going to pick up some iron remover this weekend and maybe try the speed clay. OR maybe even the Griots Synthetic clay which is kind of like the Mothers 2.0.

*Jay* · Mar 22, 2021

DaveWertz said:
What about Mothers Speed Clay 2.0? I'm over the traditional clay method, The speed clay gadget looks like it could work well. Time saving to boot. Going to pick up some iron remover this weekend and maybe try the speed clay. OR maybe even the Griots Synthetic clay which is kind of like the Mothers 2.0.

I have used the Speed Clay previously and was never really impressed with it, yes it was faster than traditional clay but that was about it. I would recommend a Nanoskin towel or mitt over the Speed Clay.

5.0Black · Mar 23, 2021

DaveWertz said:
What about Mothers Speed Clay 2.0? I'm over the traditional clay method, The speed clay gadget looks like it could work well. Time saving to boot. Going to pick up some iron remover this weekend and maybe try the speed clay. OR maybe even the Griots Synthetic clay which is kind of like the Mothers 2.0.

I have never used speed clay so i can't speak to that outside of the little I have read. I swapped from traditional claying to nano skins alternative claying products and I can't say enough good things about them. They are a huge time saver. I really don't know how much extra time, if any, speed clay will save you over a nano skin pad or mitt. As with anything claying related, be sure to get the grade you need (medium, fine etc) and be willing to polish as claying in general can cause minor marring. Just as a reminder a fallout spray/iron x spray is its own separate step that you do prior to claying.

delvin.a · Mar 23, 2021

DSG2003Mach1 said:
it was only like $10 so I just added the nanoskin concentrate stuff, I'll mix that stuff up. Ordered a 6" pad for the buffer and the 2 pack of sponges for smaller areas.

now i need to figure out wax for this behemoth, still have pads and polishes

I used Sonax Perfect Finish & 04-06 on my last detail, way better than the Miguiars I used on prior details. They didn’t dry out as fast as the megs did (105 & 205)

Synthetic "clay bar" blocks/pads etc...

DSG2003Mach1

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Jay

Tweeker by trade

AustinSN

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NastyGT500

Naples Premier Detailer!

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member

Jay

Tweeker by trade

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member

NastyGT500

Naples Premier Detailer!

DaveWertz

Active Member

5.0Black

Active Member

DaveWertz

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Jay

Tweeker by trade

5.0Black

Active Member

delvin.a

Well-Known Member

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