Clay Lube

[FITZ TITS]

Does anyone here advise against just using dish soap and water for lube when claying?

[earthtodan]

Here's how I see it. You would have to pay for a clay lube product. But you also have to pay for dish soap. There's not a drastic difference in price, so why not just use the right product for the job?

[FITZ TITS]

Here's how I see it. You would have to pay for a clay lube product. But you also have to pay for dish soap. There's not a drastic difference in price, so why not just use the right product for the job?

Because if the dish soap can multi-task, then it's one less product to buy. Plus I figure the dish soap would really help strip old wax.

[OzDasher]

Maybe it would work if you diluted the soap as it's a lot thicker than lube? I've never tried it though. When I've bought clay bars I've bought it in kits so lube comes with it.

[FITZ TITS]

Maybe it would work if you diluted the soap as it's a lot thicker than lube? I've never tried it though. When I've bought clay bars I've bought it in kits so lube comes with it.

That's exactly what people do.

[OzDasher]

Dilute, you mean? I'd just dilute because straight dishwashing liquid is going to leave an enormous amount of soap on the car and it will take forever to rinse it all off. :(

[FITZ TITS]

Dilute, you mean? I'd just dilute because straight dishwashing liquid is going to leave an enormous amount of soap on the car and it will take forever to rinse it all off. :(

Well that, and you'd want to have it flow through a spray bottle. BTW, nothing takes forever when you use a power washer ;)

[OzDasher]

I have a power washer. I also have a suds attachment and mixed up too strong a mix, it left an inch thick layer of soap on the car. Took over an hour to rinse it completely out of every crevice! :(

[OTDetailer]

Dish soap can be used to strip wax ( but I never tried it and will not recommend anyone to do it ) now as a clay lube? NO, clay lube has lubrication that helps the clay glide on your paint to prevent some marring, also will not degrade your clay bar. Where a dish soap can be to too harsh and your clay bar will break apart, then you'll have a bigger mess than you started with..... But what do I know, I never used dish soap on cars. so good luck to you :) LMK how it goes

[beantown]

I use Adam's detail spray for clay lube...works perfectly IMO.

[brocken]

It sounds like you're convinced dishwashing soap will be fine no matter what we say...

If you're still willing to listen my suggestion is NOT to use dish soap on your paint... EVER
It has harsh detergents and zero lubrication. Yes, lubrication. That's the reason for using a special clay lube or detailer spray when claying.
You can really easily scratch your car, every extra bit helps.
If you want a multi purpose lube I'd buy some Optimum No Rinse. You can use it as a car wash soap and also mix a bottle at qd/lube dilution. Stuff works awesome for both situations.
That reminds me I need to order another jug.

[FITZ TITS]

It sounds like you're convinced dishwashing soap will be fine no matter what we say...

If you're still willing to listen my suggestion is NOT to use dish soap on your paint... EVER
It has harsh detergents and zero lubrication. Yes, lubrication. That's the reason for using a special clay lube or detailer spray when claying.
You can really easily scratch your car, every extra bit helps.
If you want a multi purpose lube I'd buy some Optimum No Rinse. You can use it as a car wash soap and also mix a bottle at qd/lube dilution. Stuff works awesome for both situations.
That reminds me I need to order another jug.

What do you use to strip old wax?
I used Adam's QD the last time I clayed my car. It's super thin and the clay bar didn't glide like the dish soap/water combo I've used before. Even car shampoo feels like it has more lubricity than QD spray. What gives?

[VroomVroom]

Agreed on the clay bar degradation....IMO don't do it. There are lots of alternatives to products specifically marked, "clay lube." Most QD sprays will work great, a WW product like Poorboy's S&W, Optimum's great choices, Ultima's offering...etc. With most of these you can dilute quite liberally. The cheapest option I've found, is to dilute a small amount of car wash shampoo in a 32-oz bottle of water.

If you still feel the need to strip any remaining wax or sealant, by all means wash with Dawn or other quality product...but even for this purpose there are better alternatives - a la Chemical Guys or other brands of washes, usually citrus-based. Realistically, though, by the time you're using a clay bar to remove surface contaminants, you can pretty much count on very little, if any, remaining protectant.

[brocken]

You don't need dawn to completely strip the wax either. If you're ordering Optimum No Rinse then pick up a bottle of Optimum Power Clean (the orange colored cleaner). You can start with the 17oz bottle for $11.
Diluted 3:1 with water it works great to clean your car and will safely strip wax. The trick is to spritz that on your rinsed paint and then go over that with your mitt filled with regular car wash.
Power Clean is awesome for cleaning wheels too. I just spray it on my wheels, lightly agitate and rinse off.
Might sound like I work for Optimum... I just like their products. I tried lots of other brands before finding Optimum.