Lifespan of Clay?

[mleach82]

How many uses should a typical bar of clay last?

Do you throw it out after one use or can it be used multiple times? I've clayed a few vehicles and have always thrown it away after one use but i was curious if it could be used multiple times.

So far i've only used the smooth surface clay kit but will be ordering the blue megs clay and was curious how much use i can get out of one container.

Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

1. Depends... could be 1, could be 5 or 6. From the SS Clay that is. If it is still white/very light gray with no pieces showing in it, it can be used again.

2. Could be used again, depends how bad the vehicle is. And after paint/glass, it can always go to wheels/mufflers for a use, then thrown out.

3. The Blue Clay will be in a bigger piece, so you'll want to break it down into separate pieces to use. On cars that were cared for, the Blue Clay would last longer, as you get more.

[dave93761]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

As long as you can keep re-kneading it to show a clean surface, then it's fine to keep using.

When you can no longer get a clean surface, don't throw it out yet - use it on your wheels!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

As long as you can keep re-kneading it to show a clean surface, then it's fine to keep using.

When you can no longer get a clean surface, don't throw it out yet - use it on your wheels!

+2. That is the surefire way to tell.

[greg0303]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

Just when you accidentally drop your clay bar on the ground/ garage floor consider it dead and don't reuse it.

Also after using it on wheels don't use it back on paint surface.

[Murr1525]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

Yeah, I like to break it into smaller pieces incase I drop it.

[mleach82]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

Thanks for the info guys

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

It really does come down to exposure and use. We've seen cars so badly contaminated that a single piece of clay was totally "used up" long before the car was done. On the flip side, we've seen a single piece of clay handle half a dozen cars before it was time to retire it. It really is a judgment call - but when you can no longer expose at least reasonably fresh looking material after kneading the clay, it's time to toss it.

[mleach82]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

What's the difference, if any, between the smooth surface clay vs the blue clay?

Getting ready to replenish my clay supply and was just curious before i ordered. Thanks again.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

The C2000 Blue Mild Professional Clay is definitely more aggressive than the consumer clay in the Smooth Surface Clay Kit, but not so aggressive that you need to be concerned about hazing the paint (that's reserved for C2100 Red Aggressive Pro Clay). It is sold as a single 200 gram bar, so make sure you break it up before using it.

[mleach82]

Re: Lifespan of Clay?

Thanks