When to throw away clay?

[LelandGray]

How dirty can clay get before you should throw it out??

I just clayed my wifes CX-9, I've been putting it off because I knew it needed it bad and it would take awhile. I took me probably 3 hours to clay it, maybe more. I had to get a new MF towel after just claying the hood, that's how bad it was. I went through 64oz of Last Touch and 4 MF towels.

Anyway, I used half of my container of Meg's mild clay. I took a comparison picture of new clay versus my clay, I need to upload it.

The CX-9 had NY plates on it when we bought it, I'm not sure why it was coated so bad but it was just nasty. Fallout maybe? It was like the entire car was coated in some sort of film. It's smooth as glass now!

[james0509]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I usually throw mine away when I cant get a clean surface after kneading the clay.

If you knead the clay and you still see smudges or dirt in the clay, I would throw it away.

[agp56]

Re: When to throw away clay?

The only thing I would add to James's post is if it gets dried out - it also needs to go.

[LelandGray]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I guess I should throw it out then.

[Murr1525]

Re: When to throw away clay?

The pics would help.. might still be good for the wheels.

[Seawall]

Re: When to throw away clay?

Wow, 3 hours to clay is a long time; that vehicle must have had serious contaminates. I used to work at a shipyard, and on a Ford F150 extended cab with lots of overspray, only two hours at the max to completely clay it using Mothers.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: When to throw away clay?

The pics would help.. might still be good for the wheels.

Yeah agree with murr don't throw it away you could use it on glass, chrome or any smooth surface, pick out all contaminants you can from the clay and label for glass-chrome or whatever and reuse it.

And pics would be a big help.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I always recycle the clay. Go from paint, then to glass, then finally wheels. Then into the garbage.

[Murr1525]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I go to the mufflers/exhaust after the wheels... then the garbage.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I go to the mufflers/exhaust after the wheels... then the garbage.

Never thought about mufflers and exhaust. Thanks for the tip, Murr. Appreciate it.

[gto_don]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I just bought the Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay kit today and I am planning on doing my '07 Camry Hybrid tomorrow (dark charcoal grey). I routinely keep it cleaned and waxed (NXT 2.0) applying the wax with the Meguiar's DA polisher, so I am not too concerned about getting the clay too gritty. However, my question to you all is this; when you say "knead the clay" are you saying to fold it over and flatten it back out to a palm size to continue on? This is my first clay experience so I am a little concerned about doing it correctly. Would anyone advise on additional steps after clay and prior to wax (such as a sealant)? Thanks all...now I know what I have been missing in not being on this forum sooner! I have already learned so much by reading PAGES of various info. INCREDIBLE!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: When to throw away clay?

I just bought the Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay kit today and I am planning on doing my '07 Camry Hybrid tomorrow (dark charcoal grey). I routinely keep it cleaned and waxed (NXT 2.0) applying the wax with the Meguiar's DA polisher, so I am not too concerned about getting the clay too gritty. However, my question to you all is this; when you say "knead the clay" are you saying to fold it over and flatten it back out to a palm size to continue on? This is my first clay experience so I am a little concerned about doing it correctly. Would anyone advise on additional steps after clay and prior to wax (such as a sealant)? Thanks all...now I know what I have been missing in not being on this forum sooner! I have already learned so much by reading PAGES of various info. INCREDIBLE!

How to Clay Bar

[Murr1525]

Re: When to throw away clay?

When you make your silver-dollar sized wafer of clay, just use one side and get one side dirty. Then, sort of fold the clean side in over the dirty side, so you have a ball with clean clay on the outside. Then flatten back into a wafer and use and repeat.

[gto_don]

Re: When to throw away clay?

Thanks everyone for the help. Unfortunately, I didn't get to it today due to other obligations. Hopefully tomorrow or Friday.