I was in Advance auto parts today and the guy next to me online was buying a Meguiars clay kit. The cashier, said to him that he would be better off using the Ice kit.
What are the advantages/disadvantages between the Meguiars, Mothers, and Ice?

 

Meguiars is fine, I use it all the time. I'm pretty sure the grade of clay over the counter is all pretty similar, but I wouldn't let Turtle wax products touch my car.

 

I have never been a fan of Turtle either...I have always used Megs(wash, waxs, tire shine, polishes, etc), but I just wanted to get some reason behind why he would say that before I buy.
After the clay in the kit runs out, where is the best place to buy bars of clay?And what is the best brand?

 

Most clay in the US is manufactured by only a couple sources, so chances are most clay is very similar. What usually changes is the clay lube you get (if any), the size of the clay bar (our clay ranges from 180g to 200g compared to 50g to 80g usually sold in stores), and the aggressiveness of the clay (fine grade, medium grade, etc.).

The more people you talk to the more answers you'll get to what is "best". Personally, I use the Chemical Guys Fine Grade Clay applied using Dodo Juice Born Slippy Clay Lube.

Here's a few good reads on properly using a clay bar:
Clay Bar How-To
Esoteric Detail's Clay Guide

Hope this helps,

George

 

I've had good luck with the Mother's kit. It's a good starter. But I think after I open up the other bar, I'll order some. I think that's the more cost-effective method as I make my own lube (go ahead and chuckle) and I'd rather get the Eurow MFs.

 

I have both the megs and mothers kits, both are pretty much identical, I wouldn't use any ice product again

 

I used Meguiar's ultimate quick detailer as lube and clayed my car with Meg's pro medium grade clay this past weekend. I noticed that the clay glided over the paint very smoothly without much grab at all.

Am I claying correctly or is there such thing as using too much lube on the surface?

There were some dirt on the clay on some of the areas that I clayed but not nearly as much as some of the pictures I've seen on here. The car surface did feel a whole lot smoother afterwards so I assumed that I did it correctly.

 

Most OTC clays are well......OTC. Kind of generic, which is ok for the average Joe Garage. If you were "average" you wouldnt be here.
Too much QD prevents more slippage. If it slides too easily, the surface was already clean to begin with or your sliding and not pulling. You actually want a little adhesion when claying to help pull and/or sheer contaminants. Not enough lube, and you have more marring then you want.
There really is a fine line believe it or not.
This is what you should have when all is said and done!

 

I must have done it right then, my towels and spray bottles were sliding just like that, lol

 

I can't see the vid at work Patrick, but the Mother's kit achieves the same results.

Although, my paint was pretty clean to begin with. Have to try it on the Durango. And the Accord, which I hope to do this weekend.

Should I avoid using the clay around the clear damage?

 

Im not sure I know what you are referring to?
Any debris located at any area which you thing might become excessive, for the clay bar to gather, you can hit last. That way you do not have an excessive amount of debris embedded while claying.

 

Referring to this thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/paint-damage-clear-damage-731406/

This is a pic of the actual car:

 

Yup, Id avoid it , or use an older version of clay your about to toss........

 

Because of what it will pick up? I'm unfamiliar with what claying will do to unprotected paint.

 

By the looks of that pic, the clear coat is obviously failing. The clay will grab any loose or not well adhered bits of that flaking clear coat. This is exactly what clay is designed to do! You will, ultimately, kill the clay bar prematurely.
Its the same with polishing that area with a PC and pad. Use a pad that has been well used and maybe ready sacrifice, as it will grab any loose debris.

 

That should buff right out.

 

Thanks.

I'm certainly more concerned about the paint than clay. And if I can make that area look better, I'm all for it.

So, not worrying about the clay - avoid, or go to town?

 

Just be prepared to part with the clay afterwards.