How to shorten clay time?

[Shawn T.]

So it takes me a good 1 to 2 hours to clay a car at times. ONR has made this process much easier as I wash a panel and when the panel is done, I clay with ONR at QD dilution. This usually takes me about 2-2.5 hours to do. I keep claying until that paint is free of anything

But, there are times when I have to do a traditional wash due to the dirt accumulation on the vehicle. Claying then takes over an hour and sometimes 2 hours on its own or even a but longer when its a large car like a Honda Pilot, minivan, etc.

Am I on the right track with time or is there a way to shorten this?

I know there are clay substitutes but I have also seen and heard of the marring these can do to paint. Anyone have any experience?

[Murr1525]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Some of the products like TarX or IronX may help you.

Is this customers cars? I would hope not regularly maintained cars. Do you use the blue clay?

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Irox X will def. help. I know Griot's Garage sells a DA attachment that will allow you to use your DA to clay. Are you spending to much time in one area or going over the same area several times?

[Shawn T.]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Some of the products like TarX or IronX may help you.

Is this customers cars? I would hope not regularly maintained cars. Do you use the blue clay?

Maybe I have to give them a shot. Have you tried them? How much do they shorten clay time?

These are customers' cars and usually not cared for so they paint is pretty rough. I usually use the clay from the Meguiars clay kit.

Irox X will def. help. I know Griot's Garage sells a DA attachment that will allow you to use your DA to clay. Are you spending to much time in one area or going over the same area several times?

What is this device you speak of? Does it mar the paint though as it would rub the clay on the surface vigorously?

I am spending too much time on the entire car. Sometimes I do need to go over the area several times.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

No, I have them on hand to try in the spring.

But my car tends not to need clayed too much, so not the best example to try.

Going ot the blue clay would certainly be a move in the right direction, though cant predict how much time it would save.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Maybe I have to give them a shot. Have you tried them? How much do they shorten clay time?

These are customers' cars and usually not cared for so they paint is pretty rough. I usually use the clay from the Meguiars clay kit.



What is this device you speak of? Does it mar the paint though as it would rub the clay on the surface vigorously?

I am spending too much time on the entire car. Sometimes I do need to go over the area several times.

I will PM you the links.

[Tuck91]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

It usually takes me anywhere from 20-40 minutes to clay a vehicle. Anything over an hour and I am charging for overspray removal or extra/excessive claying.

IronX helps but its not a replacement for claying altogether. Its a nice product but its $$$$.

A few tips to save time:

Keep a cup of hot water on hand to keep the clay bar in. Use another clay bar while the other sits in hot water. This way the clay always remains pliable.

Keep the clay bar flat against the surface to avoid missed bumps of contamination. I know it seems easy enough but it helps if the whole bar is flat against the surface.

I am always one for performing quality work but for basic details on daily drivers try and avoid claying for over 1-2 hrs. Anything more than 45 minutes then there must be major excessive contamination or a coating of overspray.

[PY80]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Sorry if my post strays a bit from the original post, but its still related to claying.

I've got small tar spots on a white car. Tried claying them but it ended up smudging the tar and destroying the clay in no time.. Many people have described claying as an effective way of clearing tar spots, almost like just sweeping them up.. thats definitely not the case for me.!!

I'm using megs clay kit, as was told its a very gentle clay. Is this why I'm struggling to clear these tar spots with it? IS it time to bring back WD40. ?

questions, questions, questions,..

Thanks in advance for anyones response.

[polaris]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Try some tar remover . Also take a towel and put it in some stronger soap and try some hard scrubbing.

[detailchick]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Ive been using the magna hi tech sponge and it works great and is much much faster.

It will marr some of the softer paints like Toyota Sienna and Pruis but does no marring on BMW, Mercedes and Toyota Avalon so far.Ive only been using it a couple weeks now.

I cant beleive how much easier it is! But you must do a small test on the paint in the sun first .

[Murr1525]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

I'm using megs clay kit, as was told its a very gentle clay. Is this why I'm struggling to clear these tar spots with it? IS it time to bring back WD40. ?

WD-40 would be safe to try. Or the TarX product mentioned above, or other B&T product. Or trying a paint cleaner first on those areas, then clay.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

These are customers' cars and usually not cared for so they paint is pretty rough. I usually use the clay from the Meguiars clay kit.

From the sounds of it, just moving to the C2000 Mild Pro clay (the blue stuff) will speed things up dramatically for you. It's quite a bit more aggressive than the consumer clay but rarely do you need to worry about any marring at all.

Sorry if my post strays a bit from the original post, but its still related to claying.

I've got small tar spots on a white car. Tried claying them but it ended up smudging the tar and destroying the clay in no time.. Many people have described claying as an effective way of clearing tar spots, almost like just sweeping them up.. thats definitely not the case for me.!!

I'm using megs clay kit, as was told its a very gentle clay. Is this why I'm struggling to clear these tar spots with it? IS it time to bring back WD40. ?

questions, questions, questions,..

Thanks in advance for anyones response.

If that tar is at all still soft, then what you describe is pretty much what we'd expect to see. WD40 or Goof Off do a great job in cases like yours, and factory clear coat is stout enough that you shouldn't worry about damaging it as long as you aren't applying anything really harsh and letting it sit on the paint for an extended period of time.

[Shawn T.]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

Thanks everyone!

Perhaps I will pick up some the C2000 Mild Clay. It's just quite a bit more expensive than the consumer grade.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to shorten clay time?

You do get a bit more.