When does Clay die?

[toyotaowner]

I got the clay, unfortunately the store didn't have Meguiars so I got Mothers instead. Same thing I guess. Anyways, I removed an array of material off my car.

Lots of black dots. Paint overspray I guess.
Brown stuff
Black stuff
The little dirt dots I mentioned earlier


So, when do I know that the clay shouldn't be used anymore? Till the thing turns black? I really don't know.


Thanks

[Andy M.]

clay

I usually replace it after 3 or 4 uses depending on how dirty it is.
You be the judge. If you don't think its o.k. don't use it and get another. Hope this helps.

101 impala

[Rick]

At the detail seminar I attended they said 3 or 4 cars for a 100 gram bar. But you be the judge, if you feel it's time to get a new one then it probably is. The Meguiar's detailer line of bars are 200 grams each. I break them up in to 3 bars and that way get about 8 to 10 cars out of one.

Don't pitch your old clay though, just move it on down the line. You can use it for wheels or other surfaces.

[Chris Nemlich]

When in doubt, throw it out!

If you use clay that has a lot of dirt in it you risk scratching your paint. I usually cut my bars into a couple of pieces when I get it so that I don't throw out the whole bar if it gets dirty.

Chris

[scrub]

Re: When does Clay die?

Originally posted by toyotaowner



So, when do I know that the clay shouldn't be used anymore? Till the thing turns black? I really don't know.


Thanks

When the clay hits the ground for sure!

As for when to discard/move down the line... Discoloration would be a good indicator for me.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I usually get 3-4 uses per chunk before I delegate it for something else like the wheels, as Rick suggested. I also cut my bars of clay into smaller pieces. That way, if I drop one, I will throw it out and have a couple of spares.

Tim

[Jimmy Buffit]

I find that it tends to disintegrate (random pieces breaking off) and begins to have a different texture.

Using soap/shampoo as a lube causes mine to break down much faster.

Jim

[orange monkeyee]

I used some Professional Detailing clay ( mild) the other day on my mom's car. I forget what the package said, but I used Quick Detailer as a lubricant and it worked fine. I used a little less than a golf ball sized piece of clay and did the whole car. I did remix the clay a few times by pulling it apart and then layering it and then smashed it back into a pancake. Seemed to work well and the clay pulled off that microscopic layer of dirt. Now the paint is smooth as glass.

[Boss_429]

I find my clay is "done" when I can't knead it to a fresh clean piece.

Don't take any chances............ if you can't knead it clean, throw it away. A dirty clay bar with contaminates in it can scratch paint!