Clay bars

termigator

termigator

New member
Are there really any differences between the clay bars I can pick up at Autozone & Advance Auto (I.E. Clay Magic & Mother's) and the more expensive ones online? (E.G. Blackfire Polyclay, Pinnacle, etc.)
 
I've found some differences in claybars, but I dunno if those differences would matter to anybody else. There are, I believe, two types of clay and one is more "plastic-like" than the other. The old Autopia "Block" was a good example of the plastic type, and some of us like that kind better. Some clays dissolve quicker than others when used with shampoo-mix as lube.
 
Accumulator said:
...one is more "plastic-like" than the other. The old Autopia "Block" was a good example of the plastic type, and some of us like that kind better.
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Correction... the two technologies are "plastic" and "elastic", and there are patents on each. The patents have been challenged by each patent holder. Currently, the elastic clay formula is not available due to court order. The original Autopia Block was the elastic formula. Many enthusiasts liked this product a bit better because it worked faster. When used correctly, the final result is the same with both plastic and elastic formulations.



db
 
Accumulator said:
The old Autopia "Block" was a good example of the plastic type, and some of us like that kind better.
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Are you referring to the yellow Perfect Shine clay, or the gray Sonus Block, or something else?
 
Way back I packaged a grey "polyclay" under an Autopia label. I later decided not to use the Autopia name for product in order to remove any association of the community. However, I moved the Block (clay) and Glyde (lube) names to the Sonus line. The Sonus Block clay is a different formula (now the plastic type) b/c I feel it is safer to use than the elastic clay. It turned out to be a good move, b/c the elastic clay is no longer available.
 
David B- Thanks for clarifying the plastic/elastic matter; I obviously had it backwards. Sure seem obvious now that you explained it :o



Sectec- As David B explained, the Autopia "Block" (not to be comfused with the Sonus "Block") was truly different.



Of the clays currently available, I prefer the Sonus, but I've only tried it, Mother's, and Griot's. For products that are fundamentally the same, they sometimes behave quite differently. The Griot's seemed to dissolve *much* more in carwash solution than the Sonus does. When I use the Griot's with wheel cleaner (on the backsides of wheels) it turns into a soupy mess and this has never happened with Sonus. Only used the Mother's once and it seemed basically the same as the Griot's, though I find my (own) opinion suspect if only because they're both "yellow, plastic" clays.
 
Well, I started a thread the other day asking about the Poorboy's clay, where I wound up going into some detail about the patents and that the Griot's/TOL clays seem different than the Clay Magic, et al. The only one I am familiar with that fits into a third category (which may be the "elastic") is the old Meg's clay, which was hard as a rock in comparison.
 
Accumulator said:
Of the clays currently available, I prefer the Sonus...
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Don't get to used to the current Sonus clay. We will be introducing a newer formula this spring. It's going to have a tad more cut to it, but will still be safer than the original Autopia Block. It will also be a new color (too many people followed us with a grey colored clay). The new color is a light green, and is color matched to our new edgeless polishing towel.



db
 
DavidB said:
Don't get to used to the current Sonus clay...
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Heh heh, I should've known! :D



We will be introducing a newer formula this spring. It's going to have a tad more cut to it, but will still be safer than the original Autopia Block.
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That sounds like a true improvement for most people.



Any chance that there will be an overlap in availability so the two clays can be compared while the "old" version is still available?
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, I should've known! :D







That sounds like a true improvement for most people.



Any chance that there will be an overlap in availability so the two clays can be compared while the "old" version is still available?
Click to expand...




Sure... I will still have plenty of the grey when the new green formula comes in.
 
David, since you're clearing out the orange Sonus Polishing towels to make way for the green, does that mean the arrival of the green clay is imminent?
 
Hello,

Whats the difference between the three clays that are available in stores. Besides price of course.



Clay magic= $9.99

Mothers = $16.79

Meguiars = $9.99 I only find this on their web site.
 
There have been some other threads with more detailed discussion, but of the three you mentioned, the Mother's comes with a cleaner wax as well as the detailing spray. Although someone told me a local K-Mart had the Meg's clay, I couldn't find it last time I was there, and I haven't seen it anywhere else at retail recently. The three clays you mentioned are all different colors, and may have some differences in, as DavidB called it above, "bite", but they are all pretty similar and will all do the job.
 
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