Question on clay

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

EWC88

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Posts
1,354
Reaction score
206
Location
Southern NJ
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7
Come spring I really want to detail my truck. With that I want to clay but have three questions on clay.

1- I see there are different grades of clay, I have never clause this truck the 3 years I have owned it. What grade would I get?

2- I see there is clay and also clay mitts, recommend either or for first timer?

3- I have pin stripe on my truck, nonpainted kind, do I not go over that with clay?
 

parttimer

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Posts
99
Reaction score
11
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
A standard clay should do you fine, mothers, megs who ever. After you clay you will usually need to polish. The clay mitt you see is probably a nanoskin type product. I use a nano skin towel for my work, I also have a disk that goes on my DA polisher to use as a substitute as well. The other products are more expensive, however in my use they are WAY WAY I can't say it enough, WAY faster. I can do most any car/truck with the towel in about 20-30 minutes. In that time you might clay your hood with a clay bar.

You should be fine with the pin stripe, I have used my towel over them with no issue. Just get close with the clay if you're worried.
 
OP
OP
E

EWC88

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Posts
1,354
Reaction score
206
Location
Southern NJ
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7
Yea the two types of clay mitts I've seen are offered from autogeek and chemical guys. What products are you referring to are way faster?
 

Graygoose

Indecisive Car Owner
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Posts
16,824
Reaction score
31,460
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
Convert, for now.
Engine
small
I used the Mothesr Clay Bar kit, worked out awesome, and really easy!
 

kkreit01

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Posts
1,133
Reaction score
258
Location
Olathe, KS
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I've tried 3 different OTC clays, and Mothers was the worst by far. I preferred Griots or Blue Magic way over Mothers. Mothers was real picky with lube. Since it's your first time, just buy an OTC kit. I wouldn't go crazy harsh. You could do more harm than good.
 

FancyStancy

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Posts
361
Reaction score
124
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2008
Engine
Cummins 6.7
Make sure you use a good lubricant! Be very liberal with the spray wax or whatever method you're using. One other tip that might be useful is to keep some hot water in a cup close by. You want to re-shape the clay about every panel (depending on how much gunk you picking up). Dropping the clay in some warm water makes the clay much easier to kneed and it helps keep it lubricated. Sorry if you know this, but if you didn't this should help! If you want a good quality clay bar, that will last you for many clay sessions, Adams Polishes makes a great clay bar http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-1004-new-adams-made-in-the-usa-detailing-clay-bar.aspx
..and for your lubricant, use Adams Detail Spray
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-870-adams-detail-spray-new-formula.aspx
This might be a little more than you are willing to spend, but these products are top notch, and you don't want to run the risk of marring your paint with some cheap lubricant.
 

parttimer

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Posts
99
Reaction score
11
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I have never used the mitt type product, I use the speedy surface prep fine grade towel: Speedy Surface Prep Towel, speedy prep towel, clay towel, sm arnold clay towel, clay bar towel

I also have this for my DA unit: Nanoskin Autoscrub System Start Up Kit

The speedy prep is faster than clay, not sure about the mitt, I know many people use it, I just don't want to use something I wash my car with to decontaminate the paint. As for clay, up until a few weeks ago there was a patent and all clay came from the same supplier.
 
OP
OP
E

EWC88

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Posts
1,354
Reaction score
206
Location
Southern NJ
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7
Make sure you use a good lubricant! Be very liberal with the spray wax or whatever method you're using. One other tip that might be useful is to keep some hot water in a cup close by. You want to re-shape the clay about every panel (depending on how much gunk you picking up). Dropping the clay in some warm water makes the clay much easier to kneed and it helps keep it lubricated. Sorry if you know this, but if you didn't this should help! If you want a good quality clay bar, that will last you for many clay sessions, Adams Polishes makes a great clay bar Clay Bars | Clay Bar Detailing | Auto Detail Products
..and for your lubricant, use Adams Detail Spray
Best Detail Spray | Quick Detailer | Car Detailing Supply
This might be a little more than you are willing to spend, but these products are top notch, and you don't want to run the risk of marring your paint with some cheap lubricant.

Not at all over budget, honestly I don't know what clay and stuff go for, I just know the good ole saying "you get what you pay for" so I am always willing to pay extra for a premium.

I am very nervous doing it since it's my first time. Anyone have any pointers?
 

Sparkyy

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Posts
2,306
Reaction score
531
Location
Northern New Jersey
Ram Year
2018
Engine
v6
Not at all over budget, honestly I don't know what clay and stuff go for, I just know the good ole saying "you get what you pay for" so I am always willing to pay extra for a premium.

I am very nervous doing it since it's my first time. Anyone have any pointers?

Hopefully this linkage is ok, mods if not, please remove it.

I am interesting in claying my truck and pretty much everything from start to finish but being in apartment complex pretty much makes this impossible.

However, I've run across this website before and shows how to clay bar.

Maybe other users here will give better/different tips?
 

scottyram

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2012
Posts
256
Reaction score
42
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hopefully this linkage is ok, mods if not, please remove it.

I am interesting in claying my truck and pretty much everything from start to finish but being in apartment complex pretty much makes this impossible.

However, I've run across this website before and shows how to clay bar.

Maybe other users here will give better/different tips?

Very good info on the link you provided. Claying is fairly straight forward, take your time, make sure you use lots of spray lubricant and try your hardest not to drop your clay on the ground.
 

smykowski

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Posts
481
Reaction score
32
Location
Pacific, MO
Ram Year
2010 SLT
Engine
6.7L Cummins
Very good info on the link you provided. Claying is fairly straight forward, take your time, make sure you use lots of spray lubricant and try your hardest not to drop your clay on the ground.

^ This

If you drop it on the ground, get rid of it! You'll never get fine particles out of it, and due to the "abrasive nature" of rocks/dirt, you'll probably put a big ol scratch in your paint.
 

parttimer

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Posts
99
Reaction score
11
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I still vote for the nanoskin type product. It may cost more, but its far cheaper in the long run, plus you can drop it :) I've used my cloth on a good dozen or so cars. I use Pinnacle rinseless wash as my lube. Just soak the panel and rub, I will occasionally soak the nanoskin and wipe it off. When done, soap and water, fold it up and its ready for the next use. No foldeing or kneading clay.
 

smykowski

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Posts
481
Reaction score
32
Location
Pacific, MO
Ram Year
2010 SLT
Engine
6.7L Cummins
interesting, i'll have to look that up. I guess in the spirit of the OP, which product is more forgiving for a beginner not familiar with clay?
 

Ghengis_Khandrey

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Posts
17
Reaction score
8
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I've clayed my vehicles many times, even used just straight water from the hose for lubricant (lots of water) and didn't get any scratches. Just take your time and keep re kneading your clay so you get a fresh surface and pinch out any bigger particles you remove. All the products work and there's only one way to get good at it, Practice!
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
194,902
Posts
2,863,861
Members
155,252
Latest member
radikio
Top