We Say
The BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt is designed to replace the traditional clay bar in the decontamination process. By using a special kind of polymerised rubber bonded to a microfibre mitt, it is able to dislodge bonded surface contamination when rubbed over bodywork and glass, and thus mimic the result of using a clay bar (i.e. it restores perfect smoothness). Furthermore, it does this without needing to be kept warm during use, and it can be rinsed completely clean with running water, meaning it does not have to be thrown out if you accidentally drop it. However, perhaps the biggest benefit the BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt offers is the time-saving it offers; on a like for like basis (versus a medium-strength clay bar) it gets the job done much faster. Are there any downsides to using the BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt? Just one in our experience; while it is easier to use and works much faster than a clay bar, it does tend to inflict light marring if your technique isn't spot on. With a little practice this almost becomes a moot point, but it's important to bear in mind to start with, because after your first few attempts you may need to do a little corrective polishing. One way to ease this is to use a thicker lubricant; we've tried using both a blanket of snow foam and one of the thicker iron-dissolving cleaners we stock, and both methods work well, so feel free to experiment to see what works best for you. Just remember; you can never have too much lube!
Key Features
Abrasive Strength6/10(Compared To Others)
Net Weight105 g(Without Packaging)
Removes ContaminantsYes(All Types)
Description
The BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt is designed to replace the traditional clay bar in the decontamination process, and offers significant advantages in terms of ease of use and efficiency. It comprises a neatly tailored mitt made out of high quality closed loop microfibre, one side of which is coated with a thin layer of polymerised rubber. The BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt works in a slightly different way to a traditional clay bar; instead of relying on abrasive particles to gradually abrade away bonded surface contaminants, it uses its polymerised rubber surface to grab hold of and shear away such contaminants. As a result, it cleans the surface much faster. Like a traditional clay bar, the BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt must be used in conjunction with a suitable lubricant, otherwise it simply will not work (rubber does not slide over other surfaces easily unless it's well lubricated). However, unlike a clay bar, the BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt doesn't absorb the contaminants it removes, meaning it can be rinsed clean with running water (this also applies if it is dropped). The BLACKFIRE Clay Kit not only saves valuable time in cases where contamination levels are high, but it also has a far greater life expectancy than a clay bar (up to five times as long). Thus, in the long run its greater upfront cost is offset by the much better value for money it offers.
Specification
| Abrasive Strength | |
|---|---|
| Construction | Polymerised rubber and microfibre |
| Net Weight | 105 g |
| Removes Inorganic Contaminants | Yes |
| Removes Organic Contaminants | Yes |
| Strips Coatings | No |
| Strips Sealants And Waxes | Yes (partially) |
How To Use
The BLACKFIRE Clay Mitt should be used out of direct sunlight on freshly washed bodywork and glass that is cool to the touch. For best results, wash and rinse your car normally and then treat the bodywork and glass with both tar and iron removers. Then, working on a single panel or window at a time, spray both the surface to be treated and the rubber face of the mitt with a suitable lubricant (we recommend using BLACKFIRE Clay Lubricant, although other clay lubricants may safely be used) and begin rubbing the mitt over it gently in straight lines in all directions, using next to no pressure. Initially you may feel some resistance (as the mitt encounters contaminants), but gradually this will ease until the mitt glides freely, indicating that perfect smoothness has been restored. Rinse the mitt thoroughly after each panel or window (to help keep it as clean as possible) and repeat these steps until all of the bodywork and glass is done. Finally, either foam or wash the car again afterwards (to remove the lubricant) and then rinse it thoroughly and dry off. Note that if you drop the mitt at any point you must immediately rinse it off, otherwise you run the risk of damaging your car.
Care instructions: (i) rinse thoroughly with running water after each use (there is no need to use any soap or detergent); (ii) allow to dry naturally on a line or tumble dry on a cool heat setting (avoid radiators and other sources of high heat), and; (iii) store in a dry, dust-free environment while not in use (lidded plastic storage boxes are ideal in this respect).
Care instructions: (i) rinse thoroughly with running water after each use (there is no need to use any soap or detergent); (ii) allow to dry naturally on a line or tumble dry on a cool heat setting (avoid radiators and other sources of high heat), and; (iii) store in a dry, dust-free environment while not in use (lidded plastic storage boxes are ideal in this respect).