Clay Mitts, Pads & Sponges

Clay mitts, clay pads, clay sponges and clay cloths: synthetic rubber polymer clay on a mitt, sponge, towel or machine pad that lifts bonded contamination from washed paint like a clay bar, but faster and for many more uses. We carry the Maxshine DA Clay Pad and Microfibre Clay Mitt, the ChemicalWorkz Clay Sponge, Shiny Garage's Clay Mitt and Clay Block, and Mothers Speed Clay 2.0.

How to choose

• By hand: a clay mitt or sponge covers a panel quickly. The Maxshine Microfibre Clay Mitt bonds polymerised rubber clay to a microfibre base for paint, glass and exterior surfaces, and the ChemicalWorkz Clay Sponge removes tar, resin and insect remains and, ChemicalWorkz says, lasts much longer than a clay bar.
• By machine: the Maxshine DA Clay Pad fits a dual action polisher and, Maxshine says, is quicker and more thorough than a clay bar by hand, for overspray, tree sap, rail dust and brake dust.
• How long they last: Shiny Garage rates its Clay Block for 30 to 50 uses and its Clay Mitt for up to 50, and Maxshine says its Clay Sponge lasts up to 10 times longer than a clay bar.

Good to know

• Use them only on a washed car, with plenty of clay lubricant, and glide in straight lines with light pressure, as Sam's Detailing and ChemicalWorkz advise.
• Rinse the mitt or sponge often while you work, and never use one that has been dropped until it is clean again.
• Claying leaves the paint bare, so polish or protect it afterwards.

Is a clay mitt better than a clay bar?

A clay mitt, sponge or pad is quicker over a whole car and can be rinsed and reused many times, while a traditional clay bar is kneaded and folded as it picks up contamination. Both need a clean, wet panel and a clay lubricant.

Related: Clay Bars, Clay Lubricants, Iron & Fallout Removers, Decontamination. Popular brands here: Maxshine, ChemicalWorkz, Shiny Garage, Mothers.