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I preface this by apologizing if this is not ok to give my impressions of a non-Meguiars product.
So I was given something called a Clayzilla from a coworker to try out on my neglected daily. He said he picked it up at Walmart for around $25 and at first glance it looks to be the same concept as say the Nanoskin sponge except it's a replaceable pad that sticks to the bottom of a dense foam handle. The kit included the handle, one pad, and an 8oz bottle of "Zilla Juice". Doing a little research I found the pads are claimed to last about 20 cars and cost around $10 to replace.
Anyway, a few days ago I wanted to do a test spot on my car for how successful paint correction would be by hand and since I was away from the house I used what I had with me. Quick clean with UWWA, then used the Clayzilla to decontaminate and followed up with UC, UP, and ULW all applied with foam applicators. This was done in a bit of a hurry because it was only a test spot and so only got one application of each step but it did show some improvement. I think I will definitely wait until I can get a DA before attempting the whole car however.
On this test spot I used the included detailing spray and it did work very well. I've never used the Nanoskin products but my understanding is that they do not so much pick up the contaminants like clay but essentially break their bond to the car and then suspend the contaminants in the lubricating spray. That's what I believe is happening anyway as I could see the spray picking up color that obviously showed on my towel. Overall I have to say the process is very quick, a few sprays on the pad, a few sprays on the area of the car and glide the pad across the paint. You can hear and feel it loosening the contamination and my test spot did end up very smooth and I was overall happy with the results.
My second attempt at using the product last night was a mixed review. I thought I would have a bit of time for a quick wash and decided to try the Clayzilla the other way the manufacturer claims it can be used, along with the wash. So first I sprayed the car down and set to work cleaning with my buckets and mitt. After the car was cleaned I rinsed it off and then grabbed more soap on another mitt and the Clayzilla in the other hand and started working the whole car. The soap I was using (Gold Class) seemed to not provide enough lubrication for this to work as well and the pad got hung up more than a few times. I would basically have to wash the area again right before "claying" and it would still get hung up once in a while. After all was done I applied a coat of ULW since it was close to midnight.
This morning I noticed that the paint is not quite smooth as glass but there was a light dusting of pollen and what not that I think is the main cause of that. I will probably get some detail spray out and see if that changes anything. If it doesn't and I need to clay again, would I need to put a fresh coat of wax on or would UQW be an acceptable alternative because I think there are only a few areas to clay rather than the whole car? My other alternative would be to just accept it for now until I can set aside the time and get the equipment for full correction.
One minor gripe regarding Clayzilla is that the foam handle makes it difficult to maneuver in some of the more detailed areas of my car. While it has a few flaws here and there, it is a clay alternative that is readily available.
So I was given something called a Clayzilla from a coworker to try out on my neglected daily. He said he picked it up at Walmart for around $25 and at first glance it looks to be the same concept as say the Nanoskin sponge except it's a replaceable pad that sticks to the bottom of a dense foam handle. The kit included the handle, one pad, and an 8oz bottle of "Zilla Juice". Doing a little research I found the pads are claimed to last about 20 cars and cost around $10 to replace.
Anyway, a few days ago I wanted to do a test spot on my car for how successful paint correction would be by hand and since I was away from the house I used what I had with me. Quick clean with UWWA, then used the Clayzilla to decontaminate and followed up with UC, UP, and ULW all applied with foam applicators. This was done in a bit of a hurry because it was only a test spot and so only got one application of each step but it did show some improvement. I think I will definitely wait until I can get a DA before attempting the whole car however.
On this test spot I used the included detailing spray and it did work very well. I've never used the Nanoskin products but my understanding is that they do not so much pick up the contaminants like clay but essentially break their bond to the car and then suspend the contaminants in the lubricating spray. That's what I believe is happening anyway as I could see the spray picking up color that obviously showed on my towel. Overall I have to say the process is very quick, a few sprays on the pad, a few sprays on the area of the car and glide the pad across the paint. You can hear and feel it loosening the contamination and my test spot did end up very smooth and I was overall happy with the results.
My second attempt at using the product last night was a mixed review. I thought I would have a bit of time for a quick wash and decided to try the Clayzilla the other way the manufacturer claims it can be used, along with the wash. So first I sprayed the car down and set to work cleaning with my buckets and mitt. After the car was cleaned I rinsed it off and then grabbed more soap on another mitt and the Clayzilla in the other hand and started working the whole car. The soap I was using (Gold Class) seemed to not provide enough lubrication for this to work as well and the pad got hung up more than a few times. I would basically have to wash the area again right before "claying" and it would still get hung up once in a while. After all was done I applied a coat of ULW since it was close to midnight.
This morning I noticed that the paint is not quite smooth as glass but there was a light dusting of pollen and what not that I think is the main cause of that. I will probably get some detail spray out and see if that changes anything. If it doesn't and I need to clay again, would I need to put a fresh coat of wax on or would UQW be an acceptable alternative because I think there are only a few areas to clay rather than the whole car? My other alternative would be to just accept it for now until I can set aside the time and get the equipment for full correction.
One minor gripe regarding Clayzilla is that the foam handle makes it difficult to maneuver in some of the more detailed areas of my car. While it has a few flaws here and there, it is a clay alternative that is readily available.
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