Clay Bar Lubrication?
05-09-2010, 10:53 PM
#2
Pro
I am not sure that you should use anything other than detailer with a clay bar. You need good lubrication between the clay bar and the paint. I have used a certain clay bar in the past that seemed to stick to the paint (even with plenty of detailer) and left a residue that was almost impossible to remove. I now use Mothers clay bar and get excellent results and their detailer is not too expensive.
05-09-2010, 11:00 PM
#3
Safety Car
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Land of 10,000 taxes
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
Once I bought some Meguiar's claybar that came with lube/detail spray. The claybar caked up after doing the hood. As I had only used half the bar I switched to the other bar and this time used water mixed with a little Zaino Z7 (their wash) it still started caking up. Then tried plain water, worked great. Your results may differ.
05-09-2010, 11:00 PM
#4
05-09-2010, 11:04 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: Bergen County, NJ Sarasota, FL
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
If I'm using a fine grade clay on a car with a light level of contaminants, I sometimes use a slightly stronger mix of a car wash solution using a concentrate with ligh lubricity such as Meguiar's Gold Class.
I wash and rinse the car first then mix a fresh batch for claying.
I use a saturated wash mit on my left and and clay behind it with my right hand.
I've heard some say that this dimishes the life of the clay, but I usually work with a small piece and only use it a couple of times before discarding or relegating it for use on wheels.
I wash and rinse the car first then mix a fresh batch for claying.
I use a saturated wash mit on my left and and clay behind it with my right hand.
I've heard some say that this dimishes the life of the clay, but I usually work with a small piece and only use it a couple of times before discarding or relegating it for use on wheels.
05-09-2010, 11:08 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: Bergen County, NJ Sarasota, FL
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Once I bought some Meguiar's claybar that came with lube/detail spray. The claybar caked up after doing the hood. As I had only used half the bar I switched to the other bar and this time used water mixed with a little Zaino Z7 (their wash) it still started caking up. Then tried plain water, worked great. Your results may differ.
If your clay bar is caking with contaminants, it's time to knead and fold it.
05-10-2010, 08:16 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
I am not sure that you should use anything other than detailer with a clay bar. You need good lubrication between the clay bar and the paint. I have used a certain clay bar in the past that seemed to stick to the paint (even with plenty of detailer) and left a residue that was almost impossible to remove. I now use Mothers clay bar and get excellent results and their detailer is not too expensive.
you don't want to create a bigger issue. if you are not professed at claying, spend the few dollars on the detail spray and use it generously. i know what i'm doing with claying but i prefer lube - it's just an easier no brainer result. FWIW.
05-10-2010, 08:23 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
Zaino suggests using a cap full of their car wash in a 16 oz bottle. Their detail spray is too expensive to waste. 
To use Z-18 ClayBar™, you spray a water-based lubricant on a small area of your car and rub the bar back and forth with light to medium pressure. If the lubricant begins to dry, you'll need to spray more. Z-18 is fairly sticky, and cannot be used dry. If you try using it dry, you'll make a big mess. We suggest mixing one cap full of Z-7 Show Car Wash with water in a 16 ounce spray bottle. Z-6 also works as a lubricant for Z-18 ClayBar, but Z-7 Show Car Wash is much more cost effective.
Source: Zaino Z-18 ClayBar
Source: Zaino Z-18 ClayBar
Last edited by Top_Fuel; 05-10-2010 at 11:33 AM.
05-10-2010, 09:20 AM
#9
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
Posts: 15,244
Received 1,426 Likes
on
774 Posts
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
05-10-2010, 09:47 AM
#10
Safety Car
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: LINCOLN RI - 2010 GS Coupe - 2007 Coupe
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Adams waterless car wash provides excellent lubrication for this task.
Ask me how I know.
As someone else metioned, Z6 detail spray is too expensive to use for clay baring, but it will do the job.
Ask me how I know.
As someone else metioned, Z6 detail spray is too expensive to use for clay baring, but it will do the job.
05-10-2010, 09:55 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
05-10-2010, 10:27 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
I have personally seen at a dealership where they claybar each new Cadillac, they simply have wash the car and while it is wet, use the clay bar on it.
Works for them, works for me.
Works for them, works for me.
05-10-2010, 12:39 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Silicon Valley and Yosemite, CA
Posts: 5,511
Received 635 Likes
on
341 Posts
Being a detailer by trade and a Zaino distributor, we use car wash soap and water. Using detail spray is a total waste of product and money.
Trust me, don't buy into the hype of clay bar lubes, simple car wash soap and water works great and is much less expensive
Trust me, don't buy into the hype of clay bar lubes, simple car wash soap and water works great and is much less expensive
The following users liked this post:
Alwyn678 (04-09-2016)
05-10-2010, 01:17 PM
#20
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
Posts: 18,180
Received 3,810 Likes
on
2,058 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Joy/Dawn (short squirt), water & a spray bottle. More soapy is better. Keep the surface wet as hell and clay bar away. You're not trying to detail the $hit off so save the detailer for the emergencies. Clean a 3' X 3' area, rinse it well and move on.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 05-11-2010 at 10:07 AM.