How do you hold clay?

[imported_NHBFAN]

Ok, I'm ready for the "carefully" replies



But seriously does anyone have a technique they use that helps from dropping that slippery little sucker?



It's especially difficult when you try to divide a clay bar into small pieces.

 

[JustinR32]

Not really, for me; I just try to not drop it.



Tom

 

[Bill D]

Maybe you could park the car on a brand new tarp while claying, if you drop the clay you could salvage it?

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Unfortunately, on this one, you learn from your mistakes....I simply hold it on the palm of my hand, while im working with it, and it softens, it kind of molds itself in the crevices of my hand, its actually is difficult to drop it, matter of speaking, i have yet to drop it (knock knock).

 

[imported_SouthernZ71]

I take a knife and cut the bar into 1/3s before I start. Use my fingers till it flattens out big enough for my palm and go from there...

 

[99323ic]

OK...I'm game since no one jumped in...



"CAREFULLY!"



I just wanted to make sure the bases are covered <grin>

 

[thinksnow]

Have you tried Claymagic? That stuff is hard to get *off* your hands. I like the Mother's clay a little better, but if it is security you are after, I would look for the blue stuff.

 

[medic159]

I soap up a 12x12 towel and place it on top of the clay to hold it. It helps lubricate and at the same time keeps your hands off the clay and in good contact with the surface.

 

[tkr128]

I usually press two fingers against the clay and go at it.

 

[JimS]

I wear the Nitrile (sp?) gloves, or rubber gloves.

 

[jasonatv22]

I usually press two fingers against the clay and go at it.

Exactly what I do. Clay Magic, cut into 6ths, pressed onto index and middle finger.

 

[mxman]

Exactly what I do. Clay Magic, cut into 6ths, pressed onto index and middle finger.

This is what I also do. I devote one part for the hood and front, one for sides and one for the trunk that eventually goes to the dirtier lower pannels and finnaly to remove brake dust.



I have no trouble holding on to the thing. It seems to stay on the paint pretty good while claying.



I was even rubbing the clay around a side pannel and I did a wipe and the clay left my hands and I made a leaping jump to catch it but it stuck right to the paint. I was a pretty happy guy! I also found that if you do drop it and it gets a little dirty you can just take a razor blade to the dirty side and continue. That's only if it's a significant chunk worth saving. But you shouldn't use that much anyways.