Using Paint Cleaning Clay

[Mark in KS]

Has anybody used clay to "clean up" the finish on our cars?  Mine was repainted once (over 20 years ago), and I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on the technique necessary.  I'm looking at a car detailing magazine that clay as one of its products.  I get the feeling it's what I want to do.  Should I?

[Douglas]

I've used clay many times and it's nothing short of a miracle product. It cleans the surface like nothing else and allows the wax to adhere to the paint. I highly recommend it. But more importantly, so does the resident detailing guru in this forum, Bob Geco. Care to comment, Bob?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[hauser]

I too have used the clay bar.  As Doug said it's a miracle!  It's done wonders on my paint.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Vince Canepa]

Clay can be a great tool, if required.  Clay removes contaminants on the surface.  If your paint has contaminants firmly bonded, the proper use of clay is a timesaver.  However, if the paint is clean, clay is not necessary.  I use clay to clean up my daily driver, but on my other cars it isn't necessary or desireable.  Wash the car and feel the surface.  If it is smooth, a light polish with a swirl remover and some wax should be all you need.  If you feel contaminants, use clay with lots of the correct lubricant - quick detailer, final inspection, etc.  Follow with a light polish with swirl remover and wax.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[Kenneth Gear]

I've used Griot's Garage clay with great results

Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

[Jonny B]

I will add my agreement. I use Griot's clay and their Speed Shine as the lubricant. You can feel the difference in the paint surface.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Mark in KS]

Great to hear all the positive and informed responses.  Which now begs the question.  What's swirl remover?!  I always wax my car with a good paste and get on with it.  Are you talking about swirls that occur when using electric buffing wheels?  I hand wax mine.

[norton]

After the clay, you can use one of these with a foam pad and a fine polish, no swirls, they are also great to apply wax. http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm?E+coastest

[Vince Canepa]

Swirl Remover is a very, very fine polish.  Meguiars #9 and 3M Imperial Hand Glaze are two examples.  I never use clay on my SL.  The finish is glass smooth and needs very little to maintain the shine.  Clay was developed for the auto body industry to remove overspray.  It has a fine abrasive embedded so it can scratch.  It must be used carefully with lots of lubricant.  It can be a miracle and it can be a disaster.  I use some of Griots products and they seem good (I really like their Rubber & Vinyl treatment for tires).  However, I do not agree with their absolute reliance on clay.  I use it when necessary, such as on my daily driver, but I don't use it when the finish is in good condition.  I also find Car Care Specialties ( www.carcareonline.com ) an excellent source.  There are several articles on the website - well worth a careful read.  I've got quite a few trophies with my SL even with a 29 year old paint job so I think my methods work pretty good.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex