Quick Question's
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Pro
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Quick Question's
I am planning on washing my Corvette tommorow; with a clay bar which I have never used before, and I have some quick questions. Do I have to use/buy the special spray that comes with the claybar, or can I just mix up some soap and water in a spray bottle? Also I heard that I should use Dawn dishwashing soap to remove my old wax, and I am guessing I should use the plain good old original Dawn...correct? (I went to the store and seen 200 different kinds of Dawn)
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Orlando/Oviedo FL
You can use both the lube supplied with the clay (usually a detail spray) or you can use a 50/50 water/soap solution. Either one with provide enough lubrication to the surface, however, some people have reported clay bar failure after several uses with car soap.
Don't use dawn. Use a dedicated car soap (good OTC ones are Mothers Califorina Gold or Meguiars Gold Glass/NXT). Claying the car will abrade away your wax anyways.
Don't use dawn. Use a dedicated car soap (good OTC ones are Mothers Califorina Gold or Meguiars Gold Glass/NXT). Claying the car will abrade away your wax anyways.
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Pro
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by TH0001
You can use both the lube supplied with the clay (usually a detail spray) or you can use a 50/50 water/soap solution. Either one with provide enough lubrication to the surface, however, some people have reported clay bar failure after several uses with car soap.
How about if I use dish soap or some other kind of soap in the 50/50 clay bar mixture (not car soap), will the clay bar still fail after a while?
Also if Dawn removes old wax, why can't I use Dawn and the Clay Bar for certain assurance that all my old wax is gone, is Dawn bad for the car?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
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From: Milpitas ca
Originally Posted by Dan92
Also if Dawn removes old wax, why can't I use Dawn and the Clay Bar for certain assurance that all my old wax is gone, is Dawn bad for the car?
Using Dawn just once won't hurt anything so if you really want to use it go ahead
but I would follow TH0001's suggestions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Sarasota, FL
[QUOTE=Dan92]How about if I use dish soap or some other kind of soap in the 50/50 clay bar mixture (not car soap), will the clay bar still fail after a while?
QUOTE]
Don't use dish detergent to clay your car.
Use a good quality car washing solution (Meguiar's Gold Class, NXT, Zaino...) instead. The dish detergent may not provide sufficient lubricity (in addition to its effect on "rubber" seals).
I usually use the car washing solution instead of detailig spray, and my clay bars have lasted long enough.
QUOTE]
Don't use dish detergent to clay your car.
Use a good quality car washing solution (Meguiar's Gold Class, NXT, Zaino...) instead. The dish detergent may not provide sufficient lubricity (in addition to its effect on "rubber" seals).
I usually use the car washing solution instead of detailig spray, and my clay bars have lasted long enough.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by TH0001
You can use both the lube supplied with the clay (usually a detail spray) or you can use a 50/50 water/soap solution. Either one with provide enough lubrication to the surface, however, some people have reported clay bar failure after several uses with car soap.
Don't use dawn. Use a dedicated car soap (good OTC ones are Mothers Califorina Gold or Meguiars Gold Glass/NXT). Claying the car will abrade away your wax anyways.
Don't use dawn. Use a dedicated car soap (good OTC ones are Mothers Califorina Gold or Meguiars Gold Glass/NXT). Claying the car will abrade away your wax anyways.
50/50 mix of water/soap???
Wow - I've not been putting enough soap with the water.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
here are two links for you on using clay
http://www.properautocare.com/creatsmootpa.html
http://site.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=14
http://www.properautocare.com/creatsmootpa.html
http://site.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=14
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: orlando fl
When i clay my car i.
first wash the car. And then clay the car while the car is soaked with water and soap (nxt car soap).
Two use at least a clener wax and do the hole car. The clay will take some wax off.
Three if you have the time a coat of wax. (nxt) the hole car.
first wash the car. And then clay the car while the car is soaked with water and soap (nxt car soap).
Two use at least a clener wax and do the hole car. The clay will take some wax off.
Three if you have the time a coat of wax. (nxt) the hole car.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
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From: Atlanta GA
I know with Zaino Z7 soap its:
I recommend you use my car wash (Z-7) as a lubricant for the ClayBar. Just make sure to keep the surface area lubricated while using the ClayBar. Use 1/2 capful of Z-7 Car Wash to 12 ounces of water. I use a spray bottle for the mix. Shake it up and spray the area to be Clayed. Just make sure to keep the surface area lubricated while using the ClayBar.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Lewes DE
Originally Posted by KeithKman
As for the claybar lube, just go buy the big bottle of Meguiar's Quick Detailer at the store for $7 and be done with it.
Yup - that's what I do. Just for convenience. The Meg's QD works just great for this purpose.
and I really don't think TH0001 meant to do a 50/50 mix of soap and water for lubricant - that's really way too much soap. I have used Z7 and water also for lubricant a couple of times - in the proportions mentioned by gmblack - about 1:24 soap:water.
My vote - don't give dawn a second thought. Sure I just keep a bottle of plain old blue dawn on the shelf. Use it once a year or less. Not a problem at all unless you were stupid and used it every weekend for a couple of years. I'm not sure the Dawn itself really removes all wax or Zaino, but I go on to clay after dawn, then polish out scratches, then re-apply my sealant, exactly as stated in the Zaino instructions.