Visco Clay Bar usage

[Chonke]

So this is the first time ive gotten the "newish" visco clay bar. I still have half of a big blue bar, and 1 pack of the older gray bar. I still havent used the new visco clay because I noticed its way too thin. The big blue bar can be broken down into various pieces and used on multiple cars including a whole truck. The older gray bars had 2 separate pieces in the pack so it would also last a long time. I know looks can be deceiving but I just cant imagine this new thin bar will last at all. I know how claying works and youre supposed to stretch, knead, and flatten it again for a clean surface, but theres only so many times you can do that before it gets completely dirty. 

 

So my question is, for those who have used this visco clay along with the older versions, how long have they lasted for you guys? I have 1 car, 1 mid size suv, and a half ton truck that I need to clay. Will this be enough?? I just received it and I dont want to use it in case I need to return or trade it. 

[Ls1transam]

I did a full size Chevy pickup the other day that had over spray or something all over it. 2017 model truck. Used the new clay on it and 2, 95 Mustangs as well as my Transam. It’s still got some life left.

[Chonke]

I did a full size Chevy pickup the other day that had over spray or something all over it. 2017 model truck. Used the new clay on it and 2, 95 Mustangs as well as my Transam. It’s still got some life left.

 

Thats good to hear, the car im referring to is also a ls1 trans am lol. I was more skeptical about the truck and the suv. I guess ill give it a shot. Did you prefer using it with or without the geo impression tool? I only bought the refill because I heard a lot of people prefer not using the tool. 

[Mariner]

I’ve used my clay bar many times in conjunction with my clay mitt, so I don’t know exactly how many cars I’ve clay barred, but I can say I’ve had the same clay bar for about 6 months now, and there’s still plenty of life left.

 

I hated the geo tool. It just gave me hand cramps and I found it didn’t hold the clay at all.

[Chonke]

I’ve used my clay bar many times in conjunction with my clay mitt, so I don’t know exactly how many cars I’ve clay barred, but I can say I’ve had the same clay bar for about 6 months now, and there’s still plenty of life left.

 

I hated the geo tool. It just gave me hand cramps and I found it didn’t hold the clay at all.

 

I heard that a lot so I skipped on the tool. Does the clay mitt also work with glass? 

[Mariner]

I heard that a lot so I skipped on the tool. Does the clay mitt also work with glass?

Yes, the clay mitt works well on glass. However, I like the clay bar because it’s easy to get into corners. The mitt will scuff if you try to “scrub” with it

[Dan@Adams]

This is a perfect example of where different techniques and approaches are preferred by different people. I never use the Visco Clay Bar without the Geoimpression Tool. For me, stretching the clay over the tool ensures that it will not move, and gives me a much better grip to hold onto the clay. The waffle pattern that is imprinted into the clay does make it pull contamination from the surface more easily, and I've had several other detailers agree with that statement. Once the Visco Clay is flattened out, the waffle impressions are gone and it will still work well, but not as well as when the pattern is re-imprinted into the clay with the Geoimpression Tool, from the testing that I've done.

 

I've done at least 7 or 8 vehicles with the current Visco Clay Bar I'm using, two of which were very heavily contaminated. It's just starting to get to the point where I may need to grab a fresh bar soon, so you can get multiple vehicles out of it.

[TexWalker]

How can you tell when it reaches the end of life and needs to be replaced?

[Ls1transam]

Thats good to hear, the car im referring to is also a ls1 trans am lol. I was more skeptical about the truck and the suv. I guess ill give it a shot. Did you prefer using it with or without the geo impression tool? I only bought the refill because I heard a lot of people prefer not using the tool.

I threw that tool away after about 5 minutes, literally.

[ZMAN024]

I don't use the geo tool while going over the paint with the clay, either.  I use it to re-introduce the waffle pattern after I fold the contaminants to the center.  For that reason I wouldn't get rid of mine.  As Dan mentioned above, the clay simply works better with the waffle pattern, much the same way the waterless wash waffle towels trap and keep contaminants off the surface.

[mc2hill]

I do not use the geo tool when working on the large, flat panels.  But doing a Cayenne Turbo a few months ago the geo tool was very helpful removing some red stuff from the lower parts of the doors.  This vehicle has a curve at the bottom of the door, and the tool allowed me to better 'grip' on the contaminates on the paint.

[UofAZCats]

I like the geo tool, both for the waffle pattern and to use to grip the clay.

[BRZN]

It took me a car or two to grasp the concept of the Geo Impression Tool. Once I got the hang of using it to hold the clay I use it almost all the time. As a handle, to re-imprint the waffle pattern, and to hold the clay securely. I prefer it on large flat panels, to using just the clay alone.

 

OP, I believe the blue and gray clay bars you have are from before the end of the patent held by Clay Magic. Adam's new Visco Elastic Clay Bar is a different animal from what was only available a couple/few years ago.

 

How do you know if it's time to be replaced? Just like any other clay bar; when you fold it into itself and what's now on the surface looks the same as you'd just folded in, time to replace.

Edited October 14, 2017 by BRZN

[8675309'SS]

I use it both with and without. I do like the results better using the tool. I find the clay itself is a PIA for me to stretch evenly. Assuming it's just me here. I bought a new bar, with hopes that I won't have that issue with the new one. I also have a different brand that I keep on hand which is more pliable. But I have complaints, although different, about that one too.

Edited October 14, 2017 by 8675309Maro

[mathews31]

I’ve used my clay bar many times in conjunction with my clay mitt, so I don’t know exactly how many cars I’ve clay barred, but I can say I’ve had the same clay bar for about 6 months now, and there’s still plenty of life left.

 

I hated the geo tool. It just gave me hand cramps and I found it didn’t hold the clay at all.

 

I think the geo-tool could use some work, it seems like you'd cramp up just trying to hold it, and personally it LOOKS awkward to hold and easier to drop. I say awkward because I have never tried it. Also I haven't tried Adam's clay, I feel like it out of my price range     

[BRZN]

Out of your price range?

 

The kit retails for $29.99 and includes the clay, the impression tool and the jar to keep it all in, the kit should be a one time purchase as the clay is also sold separately. With the coupon code Shineon you'd get 10% off taking it to $26.99, and with the often, and current, 15% sale it'd be $25.49.

 

When the clay wears out, you don't need the full kit, just the clay refill and it retails for $19.99, or $17.99 at 10% off or $16.99 at 15% off.

 

Right at the price point of other clays I can quickly find on line, pretty good value for what you're getting in my opinion...

[Mariner]

I think the geo-tool could use some work, it seems like you'd cramp up just trying to hold it, and personally it LOOKS awkward to hold and easier to drop. I say awkward because I have never tried it. Also I haven't tried Adam's clay, I feel like it out of my price range   

 

It's your discretion as to what is in your price range, and yours alone. However, I have tried other clay and always come back to Adams because I like it's ease of use. However, there's plenty of cheaper clay mitts out there if you'd rather try those, and they work perfectly fine as well. If you do decide to try Adams clay, I would recommend just getting the refill and keeping it in an airtight container of your own, if you're not keen on the geo-tool. 

[ocdrifter]

And who are you to say what people can afford?

 

 

 

Out of your price range?

 

The kit retails for $29.99 and includes the clay, the impression tool and the jar to keep it all in, the kit should be a one time purchase as the clay is also sold separately. With the coupon code Shineon you'd get 10% off taking it to $26.99, and with the often, and current, 15% sale it'd be $25.49.

 

When the clay wears out, you don't need the full kit, just the clay refill and it retails for $19.99, or $17.99 at 10% off or $16.99 at 15% off.

 

Right at the price point of other clays I can quickly find on line, pretty good value for what you're getting in my opinion...

[Chonke]

I think the geo-tool could use some work, it seems like you'd cramp up just trying to hold it, and personally it LOOKS awkward to hold and easier to drop. I say awkward because I have never tried it. Also I haven't tried Adam's clay, I feel like it out of my price range   

 

I see what you mean and I kinda agree with the price point. Adams clay is very expensive for what you get. You actually over 2.5 times more clay with the competition. And thats comparing it to quality brands, not your walmart or autozone stuff.

 

But the point of this thread was to see how those little 80 grams stack up in the real world. I decided to keep this clay and try it out, but I cant imagine myself buying adams refills anymore at that price. If it had two packs of 80 grams in the refill pack, I think it would be perfect. But its partially my fault for not reading how much the refill pack had. However, if I can get as many cars as people claim it lasts, Ill be a happy camper.

[BRZN]

And who are you to say what people can afford?

 

 

 

I can't.

 

I'm just sayin' relative to other clay bars on the market.

 

I believe this new Visco Elastic Clay works better, and hold contaminants into itself better than the clays of old, perhaps it's just me, but I really like it and the tool, and that comes from experience using it and many other types of clay. Could just be me, but without trying the clay or Geo Impression tool I guess you'll never know. Assumptions don't help too many out.

Edited October 16, 2017 by BRZN