Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

[hacker-pschorr]

I found this interesting, thought I would share:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138425250&postcount=6

From that post:

One of the biggest myths of clay is that you are sucking off the contamination and entrapping into the clay bar. The truth is that the clay is floating above the surface of the paint on the lubrication and sheering off anything that stands in its way. The contamination can become lodged in the clay's surface, leading to an increase in the chance of marring.

EDIT - I'm not trying to pass this off as fact, just found it an interesting theory.

Clay bar is the best way I've found to remove a million bugs from the front of my cars when I'm on the road away from a good detail. As far as I can tell, I'm not mashing the bugs into my paint

[ColonelCash]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

Wouldn't the same argument hold up for washing your hair? I mean, my hair is wet, plus I have shampoo for added lubrication...but it still gets clean....or does it?

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

mmm...really?
I guess I'll stop using it
I didn't notice any marring
But if someone says that
Then it must be true

[Paul S]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

Which would be worse,a little marring from the contaminated clay or putting wax,cleaner or a sealant on over surface that needed claying ?

[Ivan Rajic]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

Which would be worse,a little marring from the contaminated clay or putting wax,cleaner or a sealant on over surface that needed claying ?

It would be 10x worse than any of those to put a buffer/pad to paint that needs claying and induce that marring and scratching at 1500 RPM

clay ftmfw!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

tropicaldetail also said this,

Clay comes in many different grades, and most consumer grade clay is fairly safe, but again if you don't need to do it, then don't take the chance.

Used correctly, claying is safe for paint. Just to note, Meguiar's has always taught people to "inspect" first to see if you need to clay. That's where you sense of touch comes into play. If you feel a rough surface to any degree, (light or heavy contamination build-up), then you must do something to remove it agree?

In the old days before detailing clay people used old fashioned rubbing and polishing compounds and these product will remove above surface bonded contaminants but they will also put scratches into the paint and in the process remove paint. That's two bad side-effects for one good result.

Claying will remove the above surface bonded contaminants without instilling scratches or removing paint.


Alternatives?
Name some other methods and products to remove above surface bonded contaminants that works better than detailing clay and is also affordable, easy for the average person to perform.


Detailing Clay works great for removing above surface bonded contaminants. Just be sure to work clean in all aspects of the claying process, use the right clay for the job and plenty of lube.

[Sal329]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

I have only noticed marring from aggressive clay but that is why you clay before polishing. Once you polish you will remove the light marring caused by the clay.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

I have only noticed marring from aggressive clay but that is why you clay before polishing.

And this is why Meguiar's doesn't offer or sale our aggressive clay through consumer channels, we keep people safe by keeping them with our Smooth Surface Clay Kit which offers our Consumer Clay.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

The quote from the "other forum" is partially true. Yes, a lot of people think the clay is "sucking up" the contaminants, but if you've attended one of our detailing clinics you've seen Mike Phillips describe the process as a slow abrading of the contaminants rather than a plucking of the whole bit, and the clay retaining what it has removed. Consider the fact that the bonded contaminants are very small to begin with, and then that the clay is removing those contaminants in little "bites", all the while being "cushioned" by the lubricant, and you get an idea as to how safe the process is.

Of course everyone knows that should you drop the clay on the ground you should discard it immediately and never let it touch your paint again. This is because dropping it will cause it to pick up considerably larger bits of debris that will scratch your paint. Even if you try to brush this debris off, you aren't going to get it all, and even the smallest bit left behind is much larger than those little "bites" the clay takes when used properly.

[Alfisti]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

The quote is pretty much spot on. It's very factual.

That's why you should kneed the clay often.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

On the subject of clay, what exactly make the red clay more aggressive than the blue clay and how could it instill marring? I understand why kneading the clay often would make sense to prevent marring, but what makes a clay more aggressive that it can cause marring, I thought clay was non abrasive.

[Tuck91]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

On the subject of clay, what exactly make the red clay more aggressive than the blue clay and how could it instill marring? I understand why kneading the clay often would make sense to prevent marring, but what makes a clay more aggressive that it can cause marring, I thought clay was non abrasive.

I think the red clay has more aggressive properties in it and lifts up bonded contaminants faster. The red clay will marr some paints but its used by some folks if they plan on buffing out the car anyway.

but i dont know the chemical makeup of the clay and what makes it more aggressive than the other clay bars.

The Smooth Surface Clay Kit has handled all the tasks i have thrown at it so i havent reallyfelt the need to purchase the blue or red clay

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

The aggressive clay has a different abrasive that allows it to remove bad contaminants faster than a normal or mild clay.

It is really helpful when you are trying to remove paint overspray and heavy fallout.

Yes, the aggressive clay will leave some marring on certain finishes. But, people who have not used it have really blown it out of proportion. I use the aggressive clay all the time. The marring it leaves is extremely mild. ScratchX and a foam applicator can easily take care of it.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

The blue clay can basically get everything the red can though right? It just takes more time and passes that the red? Or am I wrong haha

[Tuck91]

Re: Myths about detailing clay - from a different forum.

The blue clay can basically get everything the red can though right? It just takes more time and passes that the red? Or am I wrong haha

i would think so but i am not 100% sure