That's VERY interesting! Have you tried it out?
I have all sorts of questions... if you did try it out how long have you been doing it for? Any differences you've noticed?

That could be one VERY nice cheap trick to know!!!

 

What do you use with it? Water? Soapy water?
I have been using the spray that comes with the bar. If the craft store clay works just as good, then I am sold.

 

I used Premo clay the last time I detailed my truck. There are several different types of clay used for crafts. I found that the higher the baking temperature on the side of the package, the more plasticizers are in the clay making it better for our application.
There are some clays out there that leave a residual on the surface. They don't harm the surface, but it's extra work to scrub off the clay.
I use Meguiar's Quick Detailer when I clay my rig. Mother's works well, too. I didn't like Meguiar's clay because it dried out too quickly and wasn't as maleable as Mother's. The Premo clay is nearly identical to Mother's and produces the same results. Another cool feature about craft store clay is that you can get in different colors.

I was going to post a picture, but Earthlink is giving me fits.

 

So the more plasticizers then the less clay residue on the paint? Or is that with just different manufacturers?

Alan - that's definitely a good tip! Thanks for posting it

 

The more plasticizers, the more the clay feels like plastic rather than clay. A low temp clay (say 245°) will be softer than a 275° clay. You can feel the difference in your fingers. The low temp clay will leave a residue on your fingers, the high temp won't. Low temp clay tends to dissolve with the detailing mist. Typically, a bar of clay from a craft store costs $1.50 around here. The highest I've paid was $2.30. A helluva bargain if you just want to experiment with different compounds.

I haven't used the clay bar in any rotary polisher yet. I do all my claying by hand. Therefore, I couldn't tell you if there are any adverse affects with a rotary. I can tell you, the $1.50 clay and $5.00 mist yields the same results as a $15-20 kit.

 

Very nice!
I may have to try that

So then Premo is the company name to keep an eye out for? Is plastalina a type of clay or a distributing company?

 

Plastalina or polymer clay is the type to look for. Premo is just a brand.

 

ah okay.
Time to make a trip to the art store

 

Detailed last week using Premo clay w/ Meguiar's Quick Detailer spray, Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish, Meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax, and a Harbor Freight polisher.