need more clay..

Discussion in 'Car Detailing Product Discussion' started by 99monguse, Jun 29, 2013.

  1. 99monguse

    99monguse Birth of a Detailer

    I have been using Clay Magic and I really like it but I am looking for cheaper prices. I have heard that any clay sold in the USA is manufactured by Clay Magic;therefore, it doesn't matter where you get it...just pay the lowest prices you can. What do you all recommend?
     
  2. Kilo6_one

    Kilo6_one DB Forum Supporter

    I like zaino and sonus myself.
     
  3. awdxtc

    awdxtc Birth of a Detailer

    Do you machine polish?
     
  4. Stokdgs

    Stokdgs Detail Master

    There are no real deals on good claybars unless someone is selling them off at a reduced rate, etc...

    The good ones, like ClayMagic Blue, Zaino, Blackfire Poly Clay, etc., hardly ever go down much in pricing, but it always helps to look anyway in case its your lucky day or something..

    I dont use claybars too much since I started using the SM Arnold Fine Grade Surface Prep rubberized coating 12 x 12 cloth.. This product is way easier to manage than a Claybar because it can be just rinsed off or dipped in a bucket of clean water to remove any contaminants, but it is somewhat more expensive..

    For some paintwork I will use a claybar anyway, because I can better control any marring, and if I do, it will be smaller amount.
    If I had to pick my one all-time best performing Claybar for me, it would be the Zaino red bar. It is always the same and we are talking over 14 years of using them, and it is just agressive enough to not mar anything I have ever claybar'd... Yes, you may have to go over a particularly bad spot more than once, but the trade off is you do not mar a finish and create more work when its time to correct the paint..

    Dan F
     
  5. JoeyV

    JoeyV Welcome to Detailing

    I was sold on Riccardo blue and I still love the stuff, but I needed something that would save me time during my prep, so I made the switch to a prep towel. I time is of essence for you, consider making that switch as well.
     
  6. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    Contact Ken (911fanatic) here. After exclusively using riccardo for at least 4 years I see no reason to after trying kens clay


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
     
  7. vasaline

    vasaline Two Bucket System Washer

    I have some of auto exclusives yellow clay and didn't really like it. When claying some pieces of clay seem to fall off and smear on the paint making it very difficult to remove the smudges of clay on the paint
     
  8. Pureshine

    Pureshine DB Pro Supporter

    I bought all of Phil's old clay form him stuff is great not sure what brand it is maybe he will chime in.
     
  9. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    Yellow clay? I've only tried the fine and medium, neither week yellow.how long ago was this? I'm pretty sure he changed his clay a couple years back.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
     
  10. vasaline

    vasaline Two Bucket System Washer

    I bought the clay back in early 2012. I believe the yellow clay is also known as their ultra fine. Not sure , would need to dig up the clay in the cabinents to find out
     
  11. xabo

    xabo Virgin Detailer

    Anyone have any experience with bilthammer.com?
     
  12. 99monguse

    99monguse Birth of a Detailer

    I do machine polish, I have the Nanoskin Autoscrub pad for the D/A, but I still think clay works much better.
     
  13. Holden

    Holden DB Forum Supporter


    You mean bilt hambler? I don't think it is obtainable here in the USA, only overseas. I hear its really good clay though and you can just use water as a lubricant.
     
  14. xabo

    xabo Virgin Detailer

  15. Pureshine

    Pureshine DB Pro Supporter

    Ya its yellow with 3 bars in it stuff is great. I have 6 boxes of it still.
     
  16. LostHighway

    LostHighway Jedi Nuba

    In my experience US clays are definitely not all the same. I think you generally get what you've paid for. Some of the cheaper gray generic US clays I've used were really hard, even in the fine/gentle versions, at least in Maine's climate and need considerable soaking in really warm water to be usable. I've liked Sonus SFX Ultra Fine but I think the version I've used may not be current. Both Griots clay and Riccardo/Autowerkes yellow clays can be a little smeary but they are non-maring on soft paints. I don't find the slight smearing tendency to be a major issue but it seems to drive some people crazy. I hear good things about Pinnacle Ultra Poly and Riccardo/Autowerkes blue but have not used them. Bilt Hamber soft and medium clays are great but not cheap when you include shipping. You can use just water for lube but I usually add a little lube or shampoo.
     
  17. GDAL

    GDAL Super Moderator

    I think the yellow clay you guys are referring to is the Kukala clay (old Zaino yellow clay). The best claybar sold before the clay patent war in th US. I believe it's the same formula as the Riccardo clay sold outside the US. This old Kukala clay is still sold in the US (some other company bought all the inventory from Mr. Kukala before his company went down). It's sold by Gliptone.
     
  18. xabo

    xabo Virgin Detailer

    It's obtainable if you order from their website.
     
  19. umi000

    umi000 Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Great clay - better than Optimum's Opti-Clay (which I believe is the same as Riccardo, and is still available overseas). The soft is easy to work with, does not smear, stick or fall apart, and yes, it can be used with just water as lubricant.
     
  20. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    I cracked open 2 different Ricardo clays and they are still nice and fresh!
     

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