Stay Away from Clay Magic!!

why woudnt you NOT want to clay a new car? seems the general consensus here is that there is a lot of overspray/fallout/rail dust on cars right from the factory?
 
I used it for the first time 5 months ago. I noticed the residue, but it came off after polishing the car. This was the first time in say, 80k miles the car had ever been clayed. So, who knows.
 
It’s been widely reported that the inexpensive “Clay Magic� sold in Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc. is not the same product as the real Clay Magic! But, that is only hearsay - I’ve never used the cheap Clay Magic myself.



My experience with blue Clay Magic (the real thing) has always been positive. Use plenty of lubricant and a light touch! I recommend using a shampoo/water solution in a spray bottle instead of a dedicated lube or a QD. Less chance of marring and lower cost too!
 
I've got my box of CM with me. Apparantly the stuff is manufactured and is a registered trade mark of the Auto Wax Company. It also says it's made in Japan, covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents: 5,716,259; 5,476,416; 5,727,993; 5,676,714; 5,928,064; and 6,241,579.



It's the black box with the guy that looks like a blue version of Gumbi, and some cartoony depcictions of paint conatimnents on the side--very clever! :D
 
Corey Bit Spank said:
I used it for the first time 5 months ago. I noticed the residue, but it came off after polishing the car. This was the first time in say, 80k miles the car had ever been clayed. So, who knows.
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Hmm, I tried it today, I also noticed the reside on the area I used it on. The claybar itself is so sticky I am convinced that this reside came from the bar.
 
I use the 'cheap' Clay magic ($9 from AutoZone) and never had any problems.



I use enough lube so the clay doesnt feel sticky when im actually using it, and yes ... it leaves a white residue on the paint when I've finished.

That just washes away when I give the panel a quick rinse tho, so I've never had any problems.



Lube-wise, I've used the CM lube that comes with it, QD and soapy water, they all work just as good as long as you always use plenty.



I guess thats the key.



As for new cars being clean ...... I used to live in the busiest port in the UK where they imported 80% of the foreign cars into Britain.

They had two MASSIVE refinishing places there repairing and upgrading 100's of BRAND NEW cars a day.

They are generally shipped by rail or dumped in holding yards for months on end before they get called to the dealers and their (usually) incompetent detailer.



A 'new' car can be up to 9 months old before you actually get it.



Food for thought....................
 
Smoker said:


I use enough lube so the clay doesnt feel sticky when im actually using it, and yes ... it leaves a white residue on the paint when I've finished....
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It feels sticky on your hand, not on the paint surface where I dould not use it without the lube. I know my other claybars felt sticky as well, but not like this.



Here is another thought: befire I tried it, I did not remove the Klasse from the area (using a wax remover). So may be the reside was what's left of the AIO I put on last?
 
I'll have to pipe up on this.



I think Clay Majic, the alledgedly cheap stuff from AutoZone, is terrific. You want a sticky clay. Sure, it'll stick to your hands at first. But lube your hands, lube the car. Lube lube lube. If you don't run out of the lube they give you about 75% thought your bar ( I cut mine into six peices and run out on peice 4 or 5) they you aren' t using enough.



Sorry about your pal's car. But it probably wan't the clay. It's going to be made in big batches, and QC would catch any freaky product before it got out.



For glue on the paint...depending on how much there was...I'd do bug n' tar first. Seems harsh, but, heck, it's glue.
 
Nick T. said:
It?s been widely reported that the inexpensive ?Clay Magic? sold in Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc. is not the same product as the real Clay Magic! But, that is only hearsay - I?ve never used the cheap Clay Magic myself.



Nick - I've never seen this widely reported on any detailing board, and it's just not true.



The only difference between the bar sold at the mass retailers and the pro shops is the size - 100 gr vs 200 gr.



You can use either bar (properly) without fear.
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forrest said:
Nick - I've never seen this widely reported on any detailing board, and it's just not true.



The only difference between the bar sold at the mass retailers and the pro shops is the size - 100 gr vs 200 gr.



You can use either bar (properly) without fear.
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Forrest - - Since you are an industry expert I certainly must defer to your knowledge.



Since I’ve only used the 200 gr Clay Magic and have never experienced any of the problems that have been reported with the mass retailer Clay Magic, I’m at a loss to understand the crumbling and sticking problems that have been reported. Do you have any ideas?
 
The majority of problems I've seen all are related to using an improper lubricant (they recommend use of a detailer, not water or soap/water) or technique (using it on a hot surface, too much pressure. etc).



I even saw one instance where they failed to remove the clay from the plastic wrapper.
 
forrest said:
The majority of problems I've seen all are related to using an improper lubricant (they recommend use of a detailer, not water or soap/water) or technique (using it on a hot surface, too much pressure. etc).



I even saw one instance where they failed to remove the clay from the plastic wrapper.
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:LOLOL





I’ve only used a car shampoo/water solution as a lubricant with Clay Magic and have never experienced any problems, so I don’t think that using a soap/water lube is the cause of problems.
 
SHPatel said:
I Plus the only people that I let use my equipment are people who can detail at the same caliber I do.

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And what caliber would that be? ....If both you and your friend fudged up his new car by using clay to remove the adhesive....I would think you were both the same caliber!
 
Nick T. said:
:LOLOL





I’ve only used a car shampoo/water solution as a lubricant with Clay Magic and have never experienced any problems, so I don’t think that using a soap/water lube is the cause of problems.
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Nick, sounds like you are having a bad day already and its not even lunch time. I suggest you defer to the industry expert on this belief as well.
 
Bret - - Are you suggesting that I start having problems with Clay Magic and soap/water lube?



BTW, the LOL was directed at the using clay still in the wrapper comment by Forrest, not his overall post.
 
I feel I need to write again and say that I used enough lube. Let me tell you I am paranoid of using too little lube and cause scratches, so I already use too much of it. I only tested the Clay Magic, I have not done the whole car with it. But what do you think of my idea that what's left of the layer of AIO could be causing it? Anyways next time I'll' try this theory out, I'll be applying wax remover on a small area followed by the Clay Magic.
 
JetBlack - - This is an interesting problem. IMO the residue probably wasn’t caused by having AIO on the paint, but is sure could be a possibility. What do you intend to use as a wax remover for taking off the AIO?
 
Nick T. said:
JetBlack - - This is an interesting problem. IMO the residue probably wasn’t caused by having AIO on the paint, but is sure could be a possibility. What do you intend to use as a wax remover for taking off the AIO?
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I do not know what I am gonna use yet. But I think I have at least two kinds of paint cleaners (and others that can be used for that purpose). I am sure I have a Mothers paint cleaner (the step 1 of the 3 step kit, I think). Do you have a suggestion what I could/should use?
 
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