zrc3john

Decided to clay bar my 73 ( if the weather clears, very humid here in NY)

I know the car has to be washed first of course...My question is can I get away with using just a lot of water with the clay bar? Or,instead of water use detailing spray and clay then wipe down with a microfiber towel..?

I rather just use water and clay bar after I wash the car......Detailing spray and clay bar seems like a lot of work....I figure since the car has to be waxed after clayed , it would be easier just to use water and clay bar..

Anybody ever just use a lot of water and clay bar? How were your results?

My paint is in nice shape,but if you run your hands over it you can feel the slight roughness in some spots...

capevettes

Soapy water is fine. Water alone will not provide sufficient lubrication.

Grzldvt1

Aaron71771

I normally clay as I wash.

Wash to remove dirt, rewash area to suds it up. Clay and move to next panel.

ronkh57

I use clay lube, or poorboys spray and wipe

WIC7Diver

Grab a bottle of ONR. Can be used for many things but makes for a great clay lube.

Wash car but leave wet. Delute 2 caps full of ONR in a spray bottle and go to town. When done I usually wash again just to get all the clay lube off, then dry. Now you're ready for polishing and LSP.

Boomer111

Just to be safe I would prefer to use a detail spray.

But as other have mentioned, and Grzldvt1 who owns a high end detail shop, soapy water works too.

I like the Nano sponge too in place of the clay bar.

Mayor111

Most of the clay kits come with a bottle of detailer - so its really not extra work... Sounds to me like the soapy water may actually take longer...am I mistaken?

The detailer is spray on, clay, wipe off...done.

I also think the paint feels MUCH smoother after using a detailing spray vs. soapy water...just my .02 cents.

zrc3john

Yes I'm going to use the detailer spray....Just going to have a lot of micro fiber towels ready.....Now, if only this humidity will go away.....

Jaykoh-Z51

I did soapy water once. Seemed like I induced hazing..I assume I didn't have enough of a slippery mix. I bought a bottle of Chemical Guys clay lube. Much better results.

Then did a quick re-wash

cmonkey713

Wash the car first, use a detail spray for lube on the clay bar.

zrc3john

​​​​​​​Did it the other day.....Wow, came out really good....Now the finish is very smooth....Used the detail spray than the clay bar..

REZ1

wash with dawn.....then I usually mix a bit of dawn and water in a spray bottle as lube.
remember if you drop the clay.....toss it.....I always get the old beach towels from
the wife....I take one and put it on the ground where I am claying..if I drop it....its still
good to go...have fun..

aligator

I can imagine the response I will get from this post. As a clay lubricant I mix 32 oz. Water, 1 tea spoon of mild dish soap. an 1 teaspoon of olive oil. I was reading that the thing ,in a lot of soap, that make it slick is animal fat. We italians use Olive Oil.

FYRARMS

Not many chefs take cooking advice from people who detail cars. Likewise, people who detail cars should not take detailing advice from chefs. .

Look, if you don't want to use a high-lubricity clay lube or detail spray when claying, just use the same car soap you use to wash the car. In a small bucket, mix up a higher concentration of clean water and soap so it is nice and slick. Works just fine. Pretty much all I use any more.

aligator

FYRARMS, Yes , I know what to do, and what is out there to use. Don't you ever want to try something different. How about you do it the way I explained it and give your honest thought on the results.

FYRARMS

Why would I do that? There is no reason to put olive oil on my paint just because it is slippery. There are plenty of products on the market made specifically for applying to car paint. I use what professional detailers use. Professionals have tried virtually every trick, every product, every method. I have yet to see any of them use olive oil. Put it this way: I wouldn't visit SpaceX and tell the aerospace engineers that they should try using camping lamp oil as fuel, just because it burns nicely and because kerosene is the base of RP-1 rocket fuel anyway. Pretty sure they know what works.

But, hey, you bumped a 2-year-old thread just to tell us you use olive oil, so it must be working well for you. As long as you like it, that is all that matters.

aligator

First, I clicked on this thread and did not look at date. You told someone that they opened a 7 year old thread to make a sarcastic remark. Then you make a sarcastic remark with pictures on my post. "A traditional car wax formula usually consists of a blend of...Petroleum distillates are derived from crude oil" In closing I had some fun with exchange. If your ever out my way I will treat you to some good Napa Valley Wine.
Joe

FYRARMS

Understood. Just curious, but how did you even find it? Did you do a search for "clay bar"?

Correct. One person bumps an old thread to make a comment about Uber, and another person bumps a thread to make a comment about olive oil. Been an odd start to the week around here in the Car Care section so far.

Correct. A description of car wax formulas has little to do with clay lube, but thank you for sharing, regardless. I am a fan of good wax. Especially when layered on top of a quality synthetic sealant.

Alwyn678

Smart 2 for 1