Clay Bar Lubrication?
#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.
#3
Safety Car
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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.
#4
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Melting Slicks
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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.
#6
Melting Slicks
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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.
#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.
#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.
#9
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#10
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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.
#11
Le Mans Master
#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.
#19
Le Mans Master
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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
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#20
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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.