Claying with DA Buffer

[Jeremy1980]

I've only clayed a few times and it was by hand. Recently I got a Griot's 6inch DA and I was wondering what everyone's results were with using the special DA pads that hold clay.

Is it safe to do to the paint with a buffer on a low setting like 1-3? I'd like to avoid claying by hand in the future, not sure if I was doing it too much on the same area, but it seemed time consuming and would wear my arm out. But the few times I did it I didn't go over the areas quick, I kept going at them for quite a few minutes.

Also, do you recommend claying on every vehicle before the polish and wax/sealant, or is it not always necessary? Keep in mind I'll be dealing with vehicles that have either never been clayed, or where it's been quite a few years if it has been done.

[Murr1525]

I have not tried it, so cant help on that one. The clay towels are also an interesting option.

Claying is only needed if the surface feels rough. But if it has never been done, or been a year or so and the car is outside, it is probably safe to assume it can be done.

[Michael Stoops]

People have been trying to complicate the simple process of claying for quite some time! Claying should be a very easy and quick process that doesn't require much muscle at all. If you find that the contaminants are quite heavy and a consumer grade clay isn't removing all of it, then step up to a more aggressive professional level clay, like our C2000 Mild Blue Clay - it will make a surprising difference. If your arm is getting really tired when claying, you really have to be doing something wrong. You only need to wet the surface and then move the clay over the wet area, using just enough pressure to prevent the clay from slipping out of your hand. You can move it fairly quickly, as well. A full sized sedan with typical surface contamination (ie, a car that is reasonably well taken care of) can be clayed in roughly 20 minutes. Again, if the contaminants are heavy, moving to a more aggressive clay will keep you in that same time frame. Check out our Quik Tips Video on claying for some pointers on doing it correctly.


As for claying with an attachment for a buffer - that just seems like so much more work than it needs to be. Now, the new breed of "clay towels" look very interesting, but they can also be very aggressive and may cause some marring on softer paints. The same can be said for very aggressive traditional clay, like our C2100 Red Aggressive Pro Clay, and it is advised to machine polish the paint following use if that happens. Also, if you're just taking care of your own vehicle(s) the clay towel is a bit pricey, although it will last a very long time. Still, if you're doing proper maintenance on your car, a piece of traditional clay can last quite a while as well.

[Jeremy1980]

Thanks Murr and Michael! I'll watch the videos and the 20 minutes you mention is a GREAT help to know that I've been spending far too much time and effort on my past claying.

I've still got some Meguiar's Clay and quik detailer spray, so I'll just clay by hand again soon after watching the videos and pace myself faster and not put so much pressure into it.

Thanks again!

[STRIFE]

I recently used a SM Arnold speedy prep towel (fine grade) on my 2005 G35, paint in Nissan/Infiniti's are known to have fairly soft paint....so I was concerned with any possible marring.....glad to report I did not see any. Since my G is a garage queen and the prep towel coating is black....it's pretty hard to see any contaminants on the towel....i did clay my G late last yr (Nov) with regular mild clay.
I have to say this new towel from SM is pretty good & makes "claying" a breeze....I also used up a whole bottle of detail spray as I was makin sure the towel had plenty of lube.
I have to say I'm pretty sold on these towels....makes it soo easy. Using DA to clay seem like a lota work, I mean pulling off to reshape /kneed clay then placing back into the DA clay holder....

[IchabodSXT]

Great discussion.

I have only flayed two of my vehicles only once. So I do not have much experience. How do we know when it is time to buy nee clay. Is it based on use (contaminants embedded in the clay) or on a per use basis, as in buy a new one after four uses or six months?

Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Yeah, I saw there were 3-4 grades of towel available now.

Well, (if you have white clay) I tend to get to a medium gray color then replace (save for wheels actually), but mine is well cared for, so mostly just dirt.

If I knew I was pulling more pieces of stuff, like tar or something, I may change more often.

If you have a colored clay, it is a bit harder, but still should see it darkening up.

[STRIFE]

^ 3-4 grades of towels? .....I think med & original are the same as is mild & fine....so there's really only 2 grades??.....I am seriously thinking about getting one more of each grade

[DrdetailNashville]

I use the auto scrubber pads. Not sure if that is what you mean. They don't hold the clay, they are kind of like the towels just attached to a DA buffer. I really like them, it takes the 30-45 minutes of claying a car (at least that is what it takes me) down to 10-15. Also if you drop them, you just rinse them off and keep going. I get many more uses out of one of these pads than I do a claybar.

[Murr1525]

Hmm, I could be wrong without looking, but thought I saw more than just 2.