Clay or Surface Prep Towel

S

ShawnF350

New member
Well I just opened up my last bar of clay so wanted to get another bar or try a towel.

What does everyone prefer to use?

I was considering trying a Speedy Surface Prep Towel or comparable.
 
I've got both the "fine" and "aggressive" grade Nano-Skin wash mitts. Dare I say that, in my experience, neither work as well as clay. I've used both mitts and then gone back over the areas with Clay Magic blue (fine grade) and was still able to pick up contaminants.

For production-style detailing, clay-alternatives are probably a good solution. However, for me, traditional clay is still the better option.
 
Love the Speedy Prep Towel. I have did probably 25-30 vehicles with mine. Works great and saves a ton of time. I won't be going back to traditional clay.
 
mshu7 said:
I've got both the "fine" and "aggressive" grade Nano-Skin wash mitts. Dare I say that, in my experience, neither work as well as clay. I've used both mitts and then gone back over the areas with Clay Magic blue (fine grade) and was still able to pick up contaminants.

For production-style detailing, clay-alternatives are probably a good solution. However, for me, traditional clay is still the better option.
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I completely agree with you on this. I found the same to be true.
 
haven't touched a piece of clay (in fact I don't think I even have any at the moment) since I got my nanoskin prep towel
 
Ronkh said:
so your choice is clay?
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Not necessarily, I just saw this thread while I was updating the combo product page.

If I'm polishing the paint afterwards, I'll use a Nanoskin Wash Mitt (usually fine grade). I always start on the glass before using the wash mitt on the paint. Usually when I clay bar I plan on polishing the paint so I'd say the majority of the time I use the Nanoskin Wash Mitt.

If I don't plan on polishing afterwards, I'll use a traditional clay bar.

If I want to reduce the chance of marring the paint in general whether I'm using traditional clay or a nanoskin, I'll use Iron X or FerreX or Fallout Cleaner first.
 
Vega@Autopia said:
Not necessarily, I just saw this thread while I was updating the combo product page.

If I'm polishing the paint afterwards, I'll use a Nanoskin Wash Mitt (usually fine grade). I always start on the glass before using the wash mitt on the paint. Usually when I clay bar I plan on polishing the paint so I'd say the majority of the time I use the Nanoskin Wash Mitt.

If I don't plan on polishing afterwards, I'll use a traditional clay bar.

If I want to reduce the chance of marring the paint in general whether I'm using traditional clay or a nanoskin, I'll use Iron X or FerreX or Fallout Cleaner first.
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I'm in the same boat. The nano skin wash mitt has saved me a lot of time. I was skeptical at first, but have not regretted a thing. Just make sure you clean it often because it can have a tendency to mar if your not careful. I just ordered the medium grade wash mitt to try out the other day. the clay I go to rite now is pinnacles ultra poly clay. I use the clay when there's lite contamination, and I have protection that I don't want compromised. Clay still has its place in my arsenal even though I don't use it near as often as I use to.
 
Ronkh said:
for me it's clay

i'm a dinosaur
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That would be a plus one for me. Even the finer grade Nanoskin, which is the only one I tried seemed to leave a bit more micro-marring than clay when I was finished. If I were a production shop perhaps I'd feel differently but given my limited production I prefer the clay.
 
Speedy prep towel, works 90 percent as well as clay for 25 percent of the work. Also I have bad arthritis in my family and kneading clay for an hour is like torture to my hands.
 
trashmanssd said:
Speedy prep towel, works 90 percent as well as clay for 25 percent of the work. Also I have bad arthritis in my family and kneading clay for an hour is like torture to my hands.
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Well I threw in the last of my Griots clay when I sold my G's polishers. It was very sticky and I always wore nitrile gloves.
The bar I have now Poorboys poly elastic clay is really hard to knead. I emailed them thinking it was bad and they responded they have newer stuff that is easier to work with now that a clay patent expired in the US.
If it remains tuff I may go for the BF package Ray mentioned. (Gotta find the coupon)
Guess I'll get the mitt or towel too.

Do you clean the clay towel or mitt in a rinseless wash?
 
if I'm pressed for time, i'll use optimum clay sponges. they're faster and if I drop one, rinse it off and continue, but they still don't clean as well as clay. clay is my first choice. +1 on the " I'm a dinosaur. "
 
ShawnF350 said:
Well I threw in the last of my Griots clay when I sold my G's polishers. It was very sticky and I always wore nitrile gloves.
The bar I have now Poorboys poly elastic clay is really hard to knead. I emailed them thinking it was bad and they responded they have newer stuff that is easier to work with now that a clay patent expired in the US.
If it remains tuff I may go for the BF package Ray mentioned. (Gotta find the coupon)
Guess I'll get the mitt or towel too.
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I've tried the Griot's clay bars and they truly suck. Very disappointed in their clay. Time and time again I find myself going back to Clay Magic. It just works.
 
MSHU7: (not sure why my replies are not linking to the post I am replying to, but will figure it out)...pretty much this. no, not pretty much this, exactly this. we use the sponges a lot but nothing takes the place of a good quality bar of clay.
 
Waiting for the guy to chime in saying he uses poster hanging clay, Play-Doh, or rubberized work gloves.

Who will it be?

Clay threads aren't really clay threads til one of these dudes makes a post.
 
Swanicyouth said:
Waiting for the guy to chime in saying he uses poster hanging clay, Play-Doh, or rubberized work gloves.

Who will it be?

Clay threads aren't really clay threads til one of these dudes makes a post.
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that's just silly. Everyone knows that silly putty makes the best clay alternative. J.k.
 
I only do my car once a year and have only used Ultima Elastrofoam Paint Cleaning System. What the opinion on that product?
 
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