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      04-19-2011, 09:35 AM   #1
Coast ghost
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Whats the best clay bar ?

Groits garage 8oz bar/cleaner 29.99

Zymol 100gram bar/cleaner 50.00

Swissvax rubber bars?? Any input would be appreciated.

Is there a quality difference?
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      04-19-2011, 01:59 PM   #2
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All clay bars come from the same patented formulas from Auto Wax (e.g. light, medium). I think the patent expires soon so eventually anyone outside of Auto Wax can come up with new formulas, but for now they're all the same.

Keep in mind this pertains to the US only, not the rest of the world, where other formulas exist. Buy the cheapest clay bar you can find.
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      04-19-2011, 03:54 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coast ghost View Post
Groits garage 8oz bar/cleaner 29.99

Zymol 100gram bar/cleaner 50.00

Swissvax rubber bars?? Any input would be appreciated.

Is there a quality difference?
Some Clay bars can be abrasive and some have no abrasive. I like the Pinnacle Poly Clay the best, get it from www.autogeek.net

All of the Pinnacle and Wolfgang products are top notch and don't cost a fortune.
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      04-19-2011, 04:38 PM   #4
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Most clay comes from the same sources. Clay Magic still owns the patent to detailing clay as a whole in the US, so anyone wanting to sell clay has to pay them royalties to use their "technology."

Because of this, many manufacturers like Bilt Hamber, Dodo Juice, and Riccardo don't even sell their clay in the US as several companies have been put out of business trying to fight the shady (IMO) patent that Clay Magic was awarded.

If you think a Zymol or Swissvax clay bar is going to be much different or work much different than other clay bars, you're sadly mistaken.
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      04-19-2011, 05:02 PM   #5
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Agreed, Clay Magic is the brand I've always used - it's affordable, easy to find (any local auto store has them), and lasts pretty long if you clean it well. If you're spending $50 on some clay, you're just wasting money, IMO.
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      04-19-2011, 05:26 PM   #6
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As others have said I wouldnt worry about the "brand" of the clay bar but instead, figure out which polish will work best for your needs
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      04-20-2011, 11:39 AM   #7
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^^^^^this is a great answer!

I use the detailed image clay bars. work just as well as clay magic, meguiars, mothers, etc. Just be sure to use plenty of lubricant and turn/fold the clay often to reduce the marring that you will get. Thats why I never polish without claying first (remove bonded junk so I dont grind it in) and never clay without polishing after (remove the marring from the abrasives in the clay)
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      04-20-2011, 11:54 AM   #8
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mothers does the job 4 me
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      02-23-2013, 08:31 PM   #9
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Just ordered the Pinnacle special from Amazon for $38.74 shipped

http://www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-Ultra...=pinnacle+clay
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      02-24-2013, 07:58 AM   #10
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I personally use the clay magic bars and love them

I used to use the meguiars one and stopped using them as it left a residue feel on my paint
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      02-24-2013, 01:01 PM   #11
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      03-24-2013, 07:44 PM   #12
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I use the High End stuff but went with the Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit with this result.
Contaminants on rear bumper



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      04-25-2013, 06:47 AM   #13
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Sold! ^
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      04-27-2013, 05:04 AM   #14
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Wow really cleane up that white bumper. What do you use as a lube
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      04-27-2013, 06:23 AM   #15
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[QUOTE=sonic03inSC;13697538]I use the High End stuff but went with the Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit with this result.
Contaminants on rear bumper

+1....once a year i use the Meguiar's Clay Kit,and works....
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      04-30-2013, 07:40 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonic03inSC View Post
I use the High End stuff but went with the Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit with this result.
Did you use a clay lubricant too or just water? Also what part of SC are located? recently moved down here and always on the look out for fellow BMW guys.
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      05-04-2013, 06:33 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STORM3 View Post
Some Clay bars can be abrasive and some have no abrasive. I like the Pinnacle Poly Clay the best, get it from www.autogeek.net

All of the Pinnacle and Wolfgang products are top notch and don't cost a fortune.
What this man said. There stuff is quality and reasonably priced.
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      05-04-2013, 08:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsmkr01 View Post
Did you use a clay lubricant too or just water? Also what part of SC are located? recently moved down here and always on the look out for fellow BMW guys.
I used the spray that comes with it. Don't use water I have mixed car wash soap in spray bottle before.
I live in Columbia or west Columbia
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      05-04-2013, 09:36 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonic03inSC View Post
I used the spray that comes with it. Don't use water I have mixed car wash soap in spray bottle before.
I live in Columbia or west Columbia
I'm going to give mine a good cleaning this coming Friday before installing some more carbon bits so i'll keep that in mind. I didn't get the spray so I will have to work something else out or just go pick some detailer/wax spray up at an auto parts store.

I live on Main St. Is your car SSII? I remember seeing an E93 a month or so ago right by my place. Check the regional forums, couple of us are getting together may 25 in Greenville for a meet and cruise.
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      05-04-2013, 10:09 PM   #20
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Not me, I'm HRD2TOP I do work down in 5pts but I don't always drive the M. I'll check that out on the 25th.
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      05-14-2013, 09:56 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonic03inSC View Post
Not me, I'm HRD2TOP I do work down in 5pts but I don't always drive the M. I'll check that out on the 25th.
Yeah definitly see if you can make it. Its a nice cruise over there and a good group of guys. I'm expecting the "cruise" to be a lot of fun as well. Another member came down from MA to columbia and I took him on a 70 mile highspeed cruise through backroads, highway and ended at the dam. TONS of fun
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      05-28-2013, 06:46 AM   #22
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I use Clay magic. However, first time ever, I used nano skin, with nano skin lubricant. I did a side to side comparison. I found out that, though the nano skin scrub works well, clay magic does a better job. Nano skin is easier to use-slap it on your buffer and go. It's washable, and it lasts longer. And no kneading is required, and it doesn't stick onto your fingers.
The one thing I hated about Nano skin lub is that it tends to leave a residue behind.
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