Clay Bar vs Clay Mitt

[Nate B.]

Hello!

I never even knew that clay mitts existed until about 2 weeks ago. They seem WAY easier to use than a regular clay bar. The first time I clayed my car it took me about 5-6 hours. However, I did a really good job getting everything out of my paint, using the plastic bag method to check my progress. ANYWAY, I was wondering if these clay mitts can really replace a clay bar altogether. I will definitely want to go this route if they indeed do work equally as well.

Also, I noticed they have aggressive and not-so-aggressive (Can't think of the term right now) mitts. Wouldn't it be best to use the more aggressive mitt all the time? The goal is to remove as many contaminants as possible, so... What would be advantages/disadvantages to each?

Thanks guys.

[Milehi]

A friend of mine recently bought the clay mitt for cleaning airplanes and swears by it. Much more expensive than bar but easier and worth it according to him, and he's done his share of clay bar....

[NVRFollo]

this works even better if you have a DA
http://www.detailersdomain.com/NanoS...nch_p_709.html

[sitting proper]

They have them for fine and mild paint. Most vehicles probably need the mild clay, especially if you haven't clayed in a 6 month time span. They do save time, you get more uses out of them, and you dont have to worry about dropping them on the ground.

[B G 8er]

I just can't see dropping anything on the ground then reusing it on my paint.

[Wil458A4]

I have never used a clay mitt before, but logical thinking make me question that fine scratches might be added to the paint unlike using a clay bar. Using a clay bar allows me to constantly turn it inwards putting the small debris that could cause scratches in the center and allowing for a clean side to touch the paint. Even when using a lot of soap and liquid formulas I don't see a way around not picking up debris and marring the paint when using a clay mitt. Its sort of like when people compound and polish a car. There is constant cleaning of the pads to insure there is no small particles sandwiching themselves in between the paint and pads and having you run in circles trying to perfect the spot that was just corrected but not. I don't understand how someone might clean a clay mitt since cleaning a clay bar would be impossible to get perfect without being able to turn it inwards, then how would someone insure a clay mitt would be free of particles when it makes its way back on the paint. Like I have said, I have never used one and if someone would like to educate me on why it wouldn't cause small love marks in the paint please feel free. I would like to know why I should be using this on my paint instead of the trusted clay bar I have used for years on my cars.

[b8audis4]

The clay mitt seems to cause micro marring in my paint. Personally, I am not super concerned about that simply because clay for me has never really worked that well. I have used various lubricants and various clays and it always seems to get on some seal, or around the sunroof and getting it out can be difficult. I will use clay still but the mitt is what I prefer.

[B G 8er]

I've had no marring with clay bar. I believe the advantage of the mitt is that it is a time saver, especially if you are detailing cars professionally. As far as not being able to turn it in, I haven't personally used a mitt yet but seems like they are saying you just rinse it with water continuously to clean it. I usually use the Meguiars Clay Bar and Qucik Detail spray as lube that is marketed with it.

Does anyone recommend a better clay bar and lube?

[Wil458A4]

I've had no marring with clay bar. I believe the advantage of the mitt is that it is a time saver, especially if you are detailing cars professionally. As far as not being able to turn it in, I haven't personally used a mitt yet but seems like they are saying you just rinse it with water continuously to clean it. I usually use the Meguiars Clay Bar and Qucik Detail spray as lube that is marketed with it.

Does anyone recommend a better clay bar and lube?

This is a pretty good clay bar in terms of monthly claying: http://www.autogeek.net/wg9000.html

In terms of lube, I have found that using car soap works better then detail spay and saves you money. Here is an example of what I am talking about. There is useful information throughout the video, but if you want to see what I mean when using car soap like adams car shampoo, start at 3:12 in the video. VIDEO :

Hope this helps!

[achilleas101]

I've had no marring with clay bar. I believe the advantage of the mitt is that it is a time saver, especially if you are detailing cars professionally. As far as not being able to turn it in, I haven't personally used a mitt yet but seems like they are saying you just rinse it with water continuously to clean it. I usually use the Meguiars Clay Bar and Qucik Detail spray as lube that is marketed with it.

Does anyone recommend a better clay bar and lube?

i use the same (Meguiars). I've used it on my wife's old Subie of which the hood was in horrible shape. Tacky to the touch, and after claying it, man, smoooooth as glass.

i actually just used the stuff on my S4 over the weekend. I had a bunch of little specs of road grime and brake dust and whatever else that just doesn't come out with washing, all over the lower panels of the car. It got everything out. No marring.

[CLEANA3]

Have them both and to me they both have a good purpose. The mits you can rinse as you go . I do think the clay bar work a little better but the MIT is so nice to have or even the 6 " one for the da

[Avus RS4]

One of the best clay bars out there is the Blue Magic. That's by far my favorite one and in my opinion the most effective one.
Griots also has a good clay bar.
When you first break-off a piece of clay bar for the first time, a 1/4 or less in size, just cut off enough so you can cup it in your hand taking up your four fingers and holding it up with your thumb, rinse it under hot water, that will make it easier to knead it and make it more pliable.
Once you use one side that becomes soiled, DO NOT flip it onto the otherside, (clean side) instead fold it over so that you will always have two clean sides all the time, knead it, stretch it out a bit and continue on. I don't think the guy on the video was doing that, as the clay bar looked pretty soiled everywhere.
Anyway, I'm not a fan of using soap as a lube because it will rapidly deteriorate the claybar shredding into pieces.
Just use a something like Lucas spray and mist or Griots speed and shine. Meguiars Quick Detailer works great as well...

[AKPS4]

adams clay bar and adam detail spray have been working great for me. I tried the nanoskin method with a DA but was not a big fun. Still need lubricant and the spinning wheels spray lubricant all over. You also have much less control with it and cant "feel" the surface you are working on as well as when doing it by hand.

[LINDW4LL]

Nanoskin Autoscrub. I don't see myself ever using regular clay again.

[ENV²]

Nanoskin Autoscrub. I don't see myself ever using regular clay again.

This

[B8Addict]

I use the DA version of the nanoskin AutoScrub pad. Works very well and it saves me about 40 minutes on my car and more on clients vehicles depending on size.. Im not sure why anyone would want to clay once a month as you would have to re add your sealant or wax every month considering it will strip everything off the paint.

[Avus RS4]

Nanoskin Autoscrub. I don't see myself ever using regular clay again.

I have used a variation of this type of "clay" and it was from one of my customers who asked me to use it on his car.
It worked alright I remember. This was like 2 years ago.
I can see now how this process has been refined. I'm thinking about trying the new ones now. I feel as a P/T detailer that I should have some of that in my arsenal and see how it works out.

[CLEANA3]

I have used a variation of this type of "clay" and it was from one of my customers who asked me to use it on his car.
It worked alright I remember. This was like 2 years ago.
I can see now how this process has been refined. I'm thinking about trying the new ones now. I feel as a P/T detailer that I should have some of that in my arsenal and see how it works out.

those work great

[brewinaudi]

Nanoskin Autoscrub. I don't see myself ever using regular clay again.

Another vote for these. I used to wash and dry my cars and then use a QD/clay lube with these. Now, I just use it after rinsing, but prior to drying. Dunk it in the clean soap bucket (I use the 2 bucket wash method) and again after every panel (or after dropping it) throwing in a spray of QD/clay lube as needed.

Whether using traditional clay or a clay alternative, it's recommended to use a polish afterwards, as both can induce micro-marring. Although, in a pinch I've just used the fine version prior to adding a quick coat of sealant/wax.