Experience with synthetic clay pads?

I was looking at the synthetic clay bar pads that chemical guys has. Looked like a nice way to speed up the clay process and less elbow grease since they go on my Rupes.

does anyone have any experience with these types of pads? I’ve got a vehicle that has really rough paint and hasn’t been clayed in 6 years. So I’ll need a fairly aggressive clay/clay alternative to start before I move to polish.

 

Subbed. Curious also

 

Also subbed. Curious how it works on hard water spots.

 

Synthetic clay has its pros and cons vs traditional clay. Don't have to worry about dropping it since you can rinse it off, you can likely use it more times than clay. Regular clay is nice because you can see what's picking up (or not picking up), synthetic you can't really tell.

However I'd skip on using a clay pad on machine for a personal vehicle. Maybe at a shop for production work. You run the risk of picking up something and dragging it on paint causing scratches. Besides clay or synthetic you've got a tactical feedback as you're working it, you should feel and hear the difference between clean paint or when there's still contaminants.

You'll find no luck there, if they won't wash off with something acidic like vinegar they'll likely need to be polished off. Some water spots can be a bitch to remove if the water was real hard. Never let sprinklers hit your vehicle if you can avoid it.

 

Interesting. Thank you for that.

 

$16 Nanoskin (AS-019) AutoScrub Fine Grade Sponge

https://www.amazon.com/Nanoskin-AS-...ild=1&keywords=nanoskin&qid=1600357941&sr=8-3

Switched to these in various grades and find them as effective as clay with less hassle, harder to drop on the driveway and if you do they're cleanable. I clean them as I'm using them anyway.

 

I used traditional clay for a long time until I switched to the synthetic clay blcok from Chemical Guys. As mentioned above it's great because if you drop it you can just wash it off plus I think they're much easier to handle. I've only clayed the Tacoma once but I noticed zero difference traditional vs synthetic.

However, if your paint is really rough, you'll probably need to use this before going to the block. My understanding is the block is more of a light/medium duty clay block.
https://www.chemicalguys.com/heavy-duty-clay-bar-black/CLY_403.html

 

This ^^^. Well said. I’ve seen the clay pads that go on the DA. You are correct if you never used one of those it’s definitely not were you wanna start.

 

I've never seen clay (or synthetic clay products) do anything for removing water spots. This may sound odd since clay is rumored to remove surface contaminants, cure bad breath, ease joint pain, reverse aging, prevent (and even cure) certain STD's, and put an end to robo-calls from telemarketers.

 

2nd this. Faster and just as good as clay. Clean the pad after every panel and your good.

 

So where do I start I guess. I’ve clayed by hand for years. I love it. But my elbows just are in tough shape so using my DA is like wayyyyy appealing.

 

Get a synthetic clay glove. Super easy to use. Can literally do an entire car in 30 minutes. They can be used with claybar lube or with a high lubricity wash soap.

 

fair. I’ll give that a try. Appreciate it.

 

Third vote for the Nanoskin AutoScrub Sponge. I do a lot of weekend detailing, and it is by far my favorite product to use. Works well and don't have to worry about dropping it as much.

 

this bad boy?

 

Negative - that's their clay mitt. The AutoScrub Sponge is the same one CTSpruceMica linked in post #6. You can get it from Amazon for $13. If you're buying elsewhere, be sure to get the blue (fine grade) sponge. Other ones are going to be more aggressive and would probably leave some more noticeable marring in the paint.

 

I've used the Griot's Garage mitt with good results, but dagum it's pricey. 50$ when I bought it.

I tried the Jay Leno one too
It did just as well (as far as I am able to discern). That one is here.

You do have to watch the mitts though, being that you're using your whole hand (at least I did) you tend to put more pressure than with a regular clay bar or synthetic sponge type. That can do funky things to your paint job.

 

That's the one's I use.

 

X2 me too.

 

Hmmm, interesting. I'd say just the opposite though. In my experience with the mitt over a hunk of clay, I think I can feel what's going on at the painted surface much better with the mitt. Oh well, that's why there are so many different products out there!