Is it ok to use the car wash soap instead of a quick detailer to lube the clay bar?

 

I've done it a few times, and although the soap felt like it had plenty of lubricity, the results weren't as good as when I use quick detailer - even the cheap stuff.

In particular, I've ended up with a few faint scratches in the paint after using soap as a lube for the clay. I suspect I picked up small pieces of grit in the clay and the scratches happened before I had a chance to fold the clay.

 

I use soapy water quite often when using clay. I've never had any issues with the lubricity nor with any scratching. It will however make some clay get gritty and fall apart. Sonus and Zaino were two such brands. My DP clay could care less whether I use soapy water, QD or spit.
BTW, DP is coming out with their own clay lub.

 

I just clayed my dad's car with car wash soap. Worked like a charm and it was much quicker than using a quick detailer. I'm gonna do the same thing with my car for fall detailing.

I just washed the car as usual then rinsed. Then I refilled the bucket with soap and water. Don't want the risk of using the old water filled with grit. Then I just soaked one area at a time then clay. After that, just rinse again. The wax went on and off just as smoothly as if I used the quick detailer.

 

oh? im sure your dad's happy to hear his car was
used as a test.

 

My dad's car is a Lexus RX350 so if there's any way I can get the job done faster then I'm all for it.

I clayed the RX with a quick detailer before and man it took a long time.

 

I just clayed my car with car wash soap today. Worked like a charm. Fast and quick. Then I applied the Griot's Garage one step paint sealer. I'll post pics tomorrow.

 

mmm~! sounds good. i always wanted to see how the MINI looks with
Griot's paint sealant.

 

+1 for using wash soap, that is what i did and it worked like a charm (not to mention it saved my QD for other stuff).

 

just get the maroon bottle quick detailer from meguiar's.

cheap no need to prep, no suds.

 

+1... the Meg's claybar kit which includes 2 claybars & 1 bottle of QD is only like $17 & it's good stuff

 

Here's a question...how much clay do you use at a time? Some directions say just fold it over and continue, but I have heard some recommend tearing off a managable piece, using it, flipping it over, and then tossing it. I actually worry about those contaminants becoming esposed to my paint again. Also...when I wash the car and start claying, sometimes I notice little bits of dust landing on the other side of my car by the time I get to that end. A problem?? Maybe using soapy water a demi-wash would help and then also provide lubrication??

 

i use about a half dollar size clump. the contaminants on my cars
are not that severe, so i usually use it 3-4 times before i toss it.

on my hobby cars i could use the same clump probably 6-7 times
with no issue.

 

I use the clay for a section then ball it back up, flatten it out & use it for another section & on & on til I drop it on the ground. Then I get a new piece. I'm kinda clumsy so I drop my clay a lot I usually go thru one whole bar.

 

See Post#44 from OctaneGuy in this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=50820

It's the best info I've seen yet about claying on NAM.

 

we all know OG knows wat he's doing, but wat is so special
about the part about the clay in his pictures and comments?

 

First I wash the car, then I use 1 part dawn 10 parts water for lubricationon the clay, then wash it again and dry. I find dawn helps remove stubborn dirt and grit. Never a problem with scratches. I tried a clay lube once and you had to spray it on, clay the area, buff. It was taking forever and I went back to my normal way. I buy the clay the the pound, which is in 4 equal pieces. I cut off a 1/4 of each piece when I clay a car (so that's what, a 1/16th of a pound?), then throw it out, regaurdless if it's disintegrated by then. The only clay that I save is once piece that i use to touch up when I wax and that's it, and it's thrown out when I forget how long it's been there. If it's been used to do a hood, it's in the trash afterwards. I can do a mini with one piece, a large car would need two. A damn durango I did needed 4 pieces , but again thats because dawn breaks it down eventually.

 

I had that problem with Dawn as well. I started using Gold Class instead and it doesn't make the clay fall apart. Dawn did help remove stubborn stuff though.

 

??

Nothing *special* but certainly the whole, end-to-end process description (with pictures) is quite useful for those who are new at this, and it addressed--at least indirectly--most of the previous questions in this thread and--directly--the title of the thread. I'm confident that many others NAMers, particularly noobs, who hit this thread will benefit from the reference (which is buried in a rather nondescript thread title).

Sorry if you feel I insulted your intelligence but you ought to remember that very few on NAM are seasoned, 21-thousand post gurus like yourself.

 

Yeah, we started to use car soap, but it just was not taking things off these cars. My friend has a '06 330i and he had something on the front of it on the hood that looked like silk from a silk worm. We tried washing and that didn't work, quick detailer didn't work, a more concentrated quick detailer didn't work, TARMINATOR didn't work, then we tried to clay it with car soap (we were trying it out at that time) and it STILL didnt' come off. I went inside and filled my spray bottle with the dawn mixture and it lifted right off. From then on I don't waste my time with anything else. It's just annoying when you are doing a car that is in pretty good shape and have to get a new piece of clay when it's not absolutely neccesary.

I may need to start using two bottles, one with car soap, the other with dawn... nope, forget it. too confusing :impatient

 

easy does it tiger! lol wat's with this defensive post? all i did
was ask a question.

 

Apologies friend...I misinterpreted your post as a dis. The hatchet is buried (in my pointy head). Now, off to buy some clay and lube and put this experience to good use.

 

yah, i won't dis anyone unless they start dissing Hydro.

clay is a very important tool. good to hear you're going to give it a
try.