Cooked clay

[k3ith]

How do you know when it's time for a new peice of clay? No matter how dirty it gets it seems I can kneed it out.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Cooked clay

If you can reveal clean, fresh looking material you should be able to continue using it. When to finally throw out a piece of clay is really a judgment call. We've seen clay that has been used on half a dozen or more vehicles, and clay that didn't last through a single vehicle. Unfortunately this question just doesn't have a single, crystal clear answer.

[AndrewR/T]

Re: Cooked clay

Compare it to a new piece of clay. If it starts to turn gray, change it out. Also if you use the same piece too much and it starts to collect too much, it will tend to want to brake into multiple pieces while you use it. You can always save your used pieces for your windows/wheels.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Cooked clay

another way to tell when clay is pretty much in need of being replaceded is one when it turns gray (its exremely dirty) and if it begins to crumble and turn into little flakes.

[xantonin]

Re: Cooked clay

Good information, the flaking thing is a good point too.

[k3ith]

Re: Cooked clay

Thanks - I can see what you mean about breaking into pieces. While kneading this one is starting to break apart and not come back together well.

[cnfowler]

Re: Cooked clay

Thanks - I can see what you mean about breaking into pieces. While kneading this one is starting to break apart and not come back together well.

That clay looks like it has lots of life left. For me, clay becomes garbage when it begins to crumble. You'll know what I mean when it happens. Until then, keep using it unless, of course, you drop it.

Colin

[k3ith]

Re: Cooked clay

I lay it on the driveway while i am wiping off Quick Detailer. I shouldn't do that?

JUST KIDDING!

[Calais]

Re: Cooked clay

I lay it on the driveway while i am wiping off Quick Detailer. I shouldn't do that?

JUST KIDDING!

I rest mine in my zen garden and use paint thinner instead of QD, am I doing something wrong?

[Murr1525]

Re: Cooked clay

Not quite sure what you mean by kneading.

Assuming you had a clean ball of clay, it is usually best to flatten it out into the wafer, and only use one side. Then, when dirty, fold the clean side over the dirty side into a new ball, so the clean is on the outside. Then flatten, continue, and repeat. Then, when your clean side cant get clean, or has specks of stuff appearing in it, you can go to wheels/mufflers with it, etc.

[cnfowler]

Re: Cooked clay

Not quite sure what you mean by kneading...

Easiest way to explain it - fold, smash, fold, smash, fold, smash...

That is what I do with mine - knead it.

Colin

[Murr1525]

Re: Cooked clay

I am just thinking some folks may start off using both sides of the clay, then folding, and folding, and it stays dirty on the outside.

[k3ith]

Re: Cooked clay

Thanks guys, I get ya.