Clay bars

[mattaleca]

What is the difference between all these different brands of clay bars. I have use the Meguiars Overspray, Meguiars consumer Clay kit, And I bought this no name brand bar from Marco Distribution in Costa Mesa that i'm kinda afraid to actually use.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Clay bars

Our clay bars have undergone some changes over the years, our current clay bars are of the finest quality and as long as you're using the clay in our Smooth Surface Clay Kit or our Mild clay in our Professional Line.

The Aggressive clay is for use by Pros and it's aggressive enough that it can cause clay haze in the paint but that's not an issue for a Pro because in most cases they're going to machine clean the paint after claying and this will remove the clay haze.

Can't speak for the quality or safety of the Marco product.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Clay bars

Here's more...

Differences between Meguiar's Clay Bars?







The differences are in size and aggressiveness, or mildness, whichever way you like to think of it

Quik Clay System - Fine clay
Professional Detailing Clay Mild - Mild clay
Professional Detailing Clay Aggressive - Aggressive


It all has to do with the type of abrasives used in the clay itself. Meguiar's doesn't recommend our Aggressive clay to consumers and enthusiasts as it has the potential to mar or clay haze the finish. For a professional this is okay because they're looking for speed in removing above surface bonded contaminants and in most cases they are going to machine clean the paint afterwards so any clay haze is the least of their worries as they will be going after much more serious below surface paint defects.

[the other pc]

Re: Clay bars

...I bought this no name brand bar from Marco Distribution in Costa Mesa that i'm kinda afraid to actually use.

In other detailing products there are often huge differences from one manufacturer to the next. With clay the differences are usually much more subtle and sometimes there’s no difference at all.

That’s because the patents for clay are still in force and one outfit, the AutoWax Company division of ITW, Inc., owns them. AWC keeps very tight control over clay. So if you want to be a player the clay biz you have to either buy it from/through them or pay royalties to make it yourself.

The vast majority of clays from small outfits and non-name brands are simply repackaged versions of standard formulations purchased from/through AWC.

The chances of getting “bad clay” are small but some formulations do work better than others and the ones that are specifically designated as “aggressive” can sometimes leave hazing that would need to be buffed out.

Mar-Co is a very good supplier. I don’t think you have anything to worry about with their clay (unless it is a deliberately aggressive formula). If you’re nervous about it just start in an “inconspicuous area” and inspect it closely before proceeding.


PC.

[yalerd]

Re: Clay bars

I
That’s because the patents for clay are still in force and one outfit, the AutoWax Company division of ITW, Inc., owns them. AWC keeps very tight control over clay.
PC.

Interesting fact, how to you know all these informations Paul, you always have interesting things to say!

[the other pc]

Re: Clay bars

Interesting fact, how to you know all these informations ...

The internet is a wonderful thing!

Sure, there’s a whole lot of wildly inaccurate and just plain stupid stuff out on the web. But there’s plenty of great stuff if you look around.

One of the actually useful things our tax dollars pay for is the United States Patent and Trademark Office, An Agency Of The United States Department Of Commerce, putting patents online. So it’s easy to see the who, what, where and when of any given patent.

AWC’s hard line stance on its intellectual property has been the subject of numerous press releases, industry journal articles and especially law suits, which they always win.


PC.

[mattaleca]

Re: Clay bars

Soooo is there only one manufacture of clay bars? I guess I better use only what I know works. Back to West Whittier paint this weekend to see if they have the double pack of overspary clay.

[the other pc]

Re: Clay bars

Soooo is there only one manufacture of clay bars? ...

No, there’s one company that owns the legal rights to say who can and can’t manufacture, import or distribute clay bars here in the US.

Anybody can manufacture clay as long as they make a deal with AWC.

But the reality of the industry (and most industries for that matter) is that there are lots of companies who don’t manufacture some or any of their own products.


PC.

[WrightDetail]

Re: Clay bars

Here's more...

Differences between Meguiar's Clay Bars?







The differences are in size and aggressiveness, or mildness, whichever way you like to think of it

Quik Clay System - Fine clay
Professional Detailing Clay Mild - Mild clay
Professional Detailing Clay Aggressive - Aggressive


It all has to do with the type of abrasives used in the clay itself. Meguiar's doesn't recommend our Aggressive clay to consumers and enthusiasts as it has the potential to mar or clay haze the finish. For a professional this is okay because they're looking for speed in removing above surface bonded contaminants and in most cases they are going to machine clean the paint afterwards so any clay haze is the least of their worries as they will be going after much more serious below surface paint defects.

Mike,

So the use of the Quik Clay would be better for those of us just starting out in a detail biz until we get experience using the others ?

[mattaleca]

Re: Clay bars

Does Meg make a Fine Clay bar in a bigger packaging or by itself, so it can be used with #34?

[roushstage2]

Re: Clay bars

Mike,

So the use of the Quik Clay would be better for those of us just starting out in a detail biz until we get experience using the others ?

It wouldn't be cost effective, stick with C2000 clay.

[roushstage2]

Re: Clay bars

Does Meg make a Fine Clay bar in a bigger packaging or by itself, so it can be used with #34?

Get C2000. It works just like Quik Clay, except it will remove a bit more contamination (easier anyways) and it is much larger.