Claying

[Taco5]

Last year I clayed both my vehicles and waxed with the NXT product. Love this stuff. My question is this, can I used the same clay again this year or should I get a new bar? What is the life expectancy of the clay bars? I hate to say this but I strayed from the Meguair's brand and tried the TurtleWax ICE product just out of curiosity and I guess you get what you pay for. Seemed like I was spraying WD40 on a rag and wiping the car with it. YUCK!
Before anyone says it I'll say it for you, "SHAME ON YOU!". One last thing before I go. What lasts longer, paste or liquid? I have both in the NXT product.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Claying

Originally posted by Taco5
Last year I clayed both my vehicles and waxed with the NXT product. Love this stuff. My question is this, can I used the same clay again this year or should I get a new bar? What is the life expectancy of the clay bars? I hate to say this but I strayed from the Meguiar's brand and tried the Turtle Wax ICE product just out of curiosity and I guess you get what you pay for. Seemed like I was spraying WD40 on a rag and wiping the car with it. YUCK!
Before anyone says it I'll say it for you, "SHAME ON YOU!". One last thing before I go. What lasts longer, paste or liquid? I have both in the NXT product.

Hi Taco5,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Here's the link to our FAQ on clay, it should answer all of your questions on clay...

http://meguiars.com/faq/index.cfm?faqCat=Auto%20Detailing%20Clay

The only difference between our paste version and our liquid version is the form in which it is in, other than that it's personal preference as to which one you like to use the best.

[Taco5]

Thanks for the welcome and the link. I was in that area and never saw the info. The clay I have from last year looks to still be in good shape but a dirty white color. Only problem is that it was not stored in a container with any liquid. Did not come with one when I bought the kit. It is not the smooth clay system. Kit just came with the Quik Detailer and the bar. I kept the bar wrapped up in a plastic wrap over the winter. Should It still be ok or should I just go ahead and get a new bar? Thanks again!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Taco5
I kept the bar wrapped up in a plastic wrap over the winter. Should It still be ok or should I just go ahead and get a new bar? Thanks again!

Inspect it. If it looks okay then use it, or at least test in in a small area and after claying wipe the area and make sure you're not putting scratches in.

To be on the ultra safe side, get some new clay.

[bullet1]

I do have an additional Clay question. The blue (mild) clay that you can buy by itself, is it the same as the white clay sold with the kits?

[jjk58usa]

To answer the question "What's the difference between Meguiar's clay?" see this thread...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12668

John

[miked2]

I remember reading hear that the order of aggressiveness is: red clay -> blue clay -> white clay, where the red and blue are professional, and the white is consumer. I personally would advise staying away from red clay unless you really know what you're doing, but that's just me. I think blue is well suited for consumers, too.

On another thought, I have been using the same 8 ounces of clay for both of our cars for the past three years. I rip and throw off pieces that get dirty, but otherwise just roll the clay, and all is well. Now, both of our cars are new (2004 and 2005 model years), and the Pacific Northwest isn't noted for being a harsh environment car-wise -- and the cars are garaged, not driven much, etc., etc. -- so this may be an unusual case. But if the clay looks clean, it should be fine . . . .