What can I use for clay bar lubricant?

One can either use a quick detailer product or a water/automotive wash solution as a lubricant during the clay bar process. Here at AQS we fill a clean wash bucket with fresh water and automotive wash solution and use a fresh wash mitt to lubricate our surface and clay.

Can you use water as a clay bar lubricant?

Not Really. The fact of the matter is that water on its own isn't enough to act as a lubricant for clay. As water is not “slick”, it will not allow the clay to glide over the paint with ease.

Can I use soapy water with a clay bar?

An alternative to a spray detailing lubricant is good old soapy water. This is ideal if your paint is heavily contaminated. Be sure to rinse your wash mitt thoroughly and use a fresh bucket of soapy water, not what's left over from washing. After claying one or two body panels, your clay will begin to look dirty.

Can I use car shampoo as clay lube?

Always use clay lubricants when you work with detailing clay. Water is not a clay lubricant! Don't try it, you'll scratch the finish. Car shampoo or soapy water is a decent clay lube and will work just fine for your daily driver.

Can you use Quick Detailer as clay lube?

Synthetic Quick Detailer doubles as a slick and effective clay bar lube for unmatched versatility when detailing any car.

How To Make Your Own Clay Lubricant - Optimum No Rinse

Do you wash car before clay bar?

Timing is Key – When to Clay Bar

Claying should always come after a good wash. You want to get as much of the dirt out as possible, by scrubbing and brushing and scrubbing some more. Your choice of cleaning agent will also ensure that your vehicle is ready for the use of a clay bar.

Do you dry car before clay bar?

Clay Bar Prep (Return to Top)

Before using a clay bar, your car should be washed and dried to remove a majority of contamination on your vehicle. The more contaminated the paint is the more likely imperfections can be added during the clay bar process.

Can you clay bar glass?

It's perfectly safe to use a clay bar on your windshield. Clay bars are intended to be safely used on paint and glass is a surface that's much harder to scratch. There are times when a regular wash won't remove contaminants like bugs, overspray, and fallout. This is when a clay bar should be used.

Does clay bar damage clear coat?

A clay bar is an engineered, clay-like product that pulls contaminants like water spots, brake dust, metal dust, industrial pollution and road grit from your clear coat. When used with a clay lubricant, these contaminants come loose from your car and get stuck safely in the clay so they don't damage your clear coat.

What do you use in between car washes?

The most effective way to keep your car clean between your maintenance washes is to have a good layer of protection on the paintwork in the first place. By protection, I mean the use of a good wax or sealant.

How do you make your own car wash products?

When should you clay bar a car?

After every cleaning and drying, run your hand through your vehicle's paint, and if you feel it's rough and a little bumpy, then yes, it's time to clay bar your car. The contaminants may have stuck to your car break dust and factory fall outs, otherwise damaging your paint finish.

What can you use instead of clay Luber?

Water with a dash of car soap. Both these guys got the right idea, ONR is what I use as you get a gallon of it and it will last you years if your a hobby detailer. Car soap is another good alternative as well.

Can you clay bar too much?

It's definitely possible to clay your car too much. Clay is an abrasive, which can damage the paint causing swirls and marring. You can minimise this by using a clay lubricant and a softer form of clay, however, you can't forget that clay is still an abrasive.

Does claybar scratch paint?

Clay bars scratch your paint. That's just the nature of the beast. Rubbing anything abrasive across your paint will mar the surface causing thousands of microscopic scratches. Once you have enough of them, they'll give the surface a dull appearance.

Do I need to wash car after Claying?

The most common process is to wash and dry the car, then after drying the car, clay the car section-by-section and after claying a section, while the surface is still wet with your clay lubricant, use a microfiber polishing cloth to wipe that section dry.