Any Disadvantages to Using Car Wash Soap As Clay Lube?

mikebai1990

New member
Is there anything wrong with using car wash soap (meguiars gold class) as lube for the mother's clay that I'm using? It gives me more lubricant properties than the spray that comes with it (or maybe I'm just too conservative with the spray). The car wash soap is more readily available, and I was just curious as to whether using car soap has any adverse effects on the paint. Thanks!
 
Car wash soap generally causes the clay to deteriorate mcuh faster than clay lube. Just don't use a whole bar of clay, cut it in in half or quarter size pieces.
 
TnM6i said:
Car wash soap generally causes the clay to deteriorate mcuh faster than clay lube. Just don't use a whole bar of clay, cut it in in half or quarter size pieces.



TnM6i, when you say deteriorate, do you mean the clay starts to break up, or do you mean the clay bar becomes smaller and smaller? Thanks for helping me out!
 
mikebai1990 said:
TnM6i, when you say deteriorate, do you mean the clay starts to break up, or do you mean the clay bar becomes smaller and smaller? Thanks for helping me out!



I used to use .5 ounce Gold Class soap with 15.5 ounces of water in a spray bottle as lube for the mothers clay, and I never had any deterioration.
 
I used to use .5 ounce Gold Class soap with 15.5 ounces of water in a spray bottle as lube for the mothers clay, and I never had any deterioration.
 
I wash a section with QEW, then I clay that same section using the QEW that I just washed the car with. Then I wash that area again w/ QEW. Then I dry that area.
 
I've always used Griot's Car Wash as a clay lube. A normal wash concentration works fine. I've used Clay Magic and Sonus clay with no deterioration.
 
mikebai1990 said:
TnM6i, when you say deteriorate, do you mean the clay starts to break up, or do you mean the clay bar becomes smaller and smaller? Thanks for helping me out!



It kind of dissolves the clay making it a slimy mess. It depends on the car soap and the clay in question. It isn't going to hurt the paint which is what really matters.
 
Griot's Car Wash made my Griot's and Sonus (both gray and green) clays a) work less effectively, b) become (too) soft, and c) leave clay residue on the vehicle. I don't think I really appreciated how badly the shampoo was affecting the clay until I resolved to only use the Glyde lube with my Sonus clay.



Perhaps differences in water could explain why some people have better/worse luck with the shampoo-as-lube :nixweiss
 
I found, after a few sessions using a wash solution as a lube, my ClayMagic started to crumble a bit at the surface (like the bar was 'drying' out).



The effect was only temporary however, as I started using clay lube again, it was almost like it replaced lost 'oils' in the clay. That restored it again.
 
Accululator - Interesting comment about the Griot's shampoo and the Sonus clay. I haven't noticed any problems, but I might just try my unused Clay Magic lube the next time and see.



And, of course, there are the water differences. I'm not sure about the makeup of my water, and that could mean a lot.
 
Hey, Moe!- I'd be interested to hear if you notice any difference. I've tried shampoos, QDs, and water, and now I'm sold on the Glyde.
 
I've clayed as I've washed, using Clay magic clay. I've also used QD's and soap/water spray. I haven't noticed any difference in the 3. I agree with Accumulator that it may be what's in your water. I would bet certain minerals would have an effect on the clay. :nixweiss
 
Accumulator said:
Griot's Car Wash made my Griot's and Sonus (both gray and green) clays a) work less effectively, b) become (too) soft, and c) leave clay residue on the vehicle. I don't think I really appreciated how badly the shampoo was affecting the clay until I resolved to only use the Glyde lube with my Sonus clay.

+1



I've had the same results using car shampoo and clay.
 
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