Am I wrong

C

Cuttin_up

New member
Let me first start off by saying that this site is wonderful and I have bookmarked many pages since I have joined as of 2 days ago. Everybody seems very helpful and knowledgeable on everything. I never realized how complicated cleaning a vehicle was! :D


I went into the local Oreilly’s and asked the manager if the sold any clay, he looked very confused so I explained to him that it was detailing clay. He then proceeds to tell me they do not sell stuff like that because it could cause a lot of damage to a car. He said that I would be “cutting” into my paint and that I was better off hiring a professional to do my detailing. What does he mean by “cutting”? I understand that he was wrong, but me being the newbie I did not have a solid argument. Is clay that uncommon that the manager of a parts store would have never heard of it? Thanks again.

Bradley
 
Cuttin_up said:
Let me first start off by saying that this site is wonderful and I have bookmarked many pages since I have joined as of 2 days ago. Everybody seems very helpful and knowledgeable on everything. I never realized how complicated cleaning a vehicle was! :D


I went into the local Oreilly’s and asked the manager if the sold any clay, he looked very confused so I explained to him that it was detailing clay. He then proceeds to tell me they do not sell stuff like that because it could cause a lot of damage to a car. He said that I would be “cutting” into my paint and that I was better off hiring a professional to do my detailing. What does he mean by “cutting”? I understand that he was wrong, but me being the newbie I did not have a solid argument. Is clay that uncommon that the manager of a parts store would have never heard of it? Thanks again.

Bradley
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Bardley

First off welcome to the site and posting....it sounds to me that the manager doesn't understand the real purpose of clay and what it dose to a cars paint....the term "cutting" is mainly used while using a buffer rotary or PC type, a cutting or polishing foam pad or wool pad along with a compound or swirl remover....you are taking / cutting the surface of the clear to remove oxidation or swirls...

Back to clay it will not cut the surface of your paint except surface related stuff...clay is designed to remove what is stuck to the surface of the paint....wax, bugs, some oxidation, industrial fallout (pollution) bird droppings, over-spray, tar etc.

With most kits like Mothers and Clay Magic you get a bar of clay and some lube....following the directions you spray some lube on and rub the surface of your paint, the clay will slip over the surface and start working for you...if you turn the clay over you will see it starting to turn brown....knead it to keep a clean surface down...Once you have a section done wipe that area down and move on....When you are done you have a real clean surface to start polishing or waxing
 
Do Not listen to anyone that does not frequent DC! J/K Lots of knowledgable people out there.

No but seriously, sounds to me like he didn't quite know what he was talking about... Happens everywhere I go... Even at most bodyshops, people are clueless to the procedures of REAL details... Not only on paint, but on everything...'

First time I ever decided to clay my car I went into Autozone looking for some. Asked the manager for it and he said he never heard of it...Stayed a bit longer and eventually found it...Just because they work there don't make em' experts.

Listen to Beemerboy...He nailed it.
 
I agree with Beemerboy's and joyriide1113's posts.

It is possible to damage your paint with clay if:

You do not refresh the surface of the clay as it collects the particles off your car. To refresh, just knead the clay to a clean spot and continue.

You do not use a lubricant ("clay lube" - many varieties, or some people even use very soapy water).

You drop the clay! It will pick up dirt and other junk from the ground or from the floor that can scratch your car's paint. Some people throw the clay away. Others use the clay on their windows after cleaning the big chunks of sand/dirt/junk off first.

Hope this helps.

Charles
 
crobinso said:
I agree with Beemerboy's and joyriide1113's posts.

It is possible to damage your paint with clay if:

You do not refresh the surface of the clay as it collects the particles off your car. To refresh, just knead the clay to a clean spot and continue.

You do not use a lubricant ("clay lube" - many varieties, or some people even use very soapy water).

You drop the clay! It will pick up dirt and other junk from the ground or from the floor that can scratch your car's paint. Some people through the clay away. Others use the clay on their windows after cleaning the big chunks of sand/dirt/junk off first.

Hope this helps.

Charles
Click to expand...


That's so true about dropping the clay its a magnetic for little rocks and the likes of that...I cut my clay bars in half or quarters depending on the size of the bar for this reason....When your done with the clay you can store it in a plastic sandwich baggie with a small squirt of lube to keep in moist...onve the clay gets real brown or black you can throw it out...
 
BMWE30 said:
can you store clay in the 'fridge?
Click to expand...

BMW

There is no need to keep the clay in the fridge....after each use store in a plastic sandwich baggie and then squirt one spray of lube in the bag to keep it moist...I wold store that in a cool place and your good to go.....I keep mine in a tupperware container
 
Claying is easy to do and produces results you can feel. I use the Clay Magic brand Clay Bar system. It comes with a good sized bar and a bottle of lube.
 
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