need more clay..

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?

 

I like zaino and sonus myself.

 

Do you machine polish?

 

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

 

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.

 

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


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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

 

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

 

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.


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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

 

Anyone have any experience with bilthammer.com?

 

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

 

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.

 

Yes....thanks for the correction. Corrosion Protection, Rust Removal, Car Wax and Car Polish from Bilt-Hamber UK

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

It's obtainable if you order from their website.

 

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.

 

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