Cheap Clay lube that doesn't destroy my clay?

Hi guys,

I have been using two different clay bars:

1. Blackfire Polyclay II
2. Meguiars Quik Clay

Both Worked great when used with the Meguiars quick detailer as lubricant. However, to me using quick detailer is just too expensive (average $10 a bottle).

I have heard that using dish soap mixed with water is a good lube. I tried mixing "Palmolive OXY with bleach alternative" dish soap (about 1-2 tablespoons) with water in a 32 oz. bottle and it completely destroyed both of my clays (plus it left hard water spots which I wasn't happy about).

I have also tried mixing my Turtle Wax car wash soap with water (also about 2 tablespoons in a a 32 oz. sprayer bottle). This worked much better, but after claying one car completely... towards the end of my detail the clay also fell apart and was soft and collapsible.

My question is, am I putting too much soap? Or am I using the wrong type of soap? As far as dish soap is concerned, I heard people use AJAX, but I didn't have that at home and used what I had (I assumed all dish soap was about the same).

Please let me know your opinions because I'd really like to figure this one out fellas! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Best regards,

Roman

 

Meg's Last touch 1:1.

 

I've been using mixing ONR (optimum no rinse) at detailer strength and that's been very cost effective for me especially if I buy a gallon of ONR.

 

Yes, Meg's Last Touch is great.

 

I just use water with Bilt Hamber clay.

 

I second the ONR recommendation. It is much better than any type of soap mixture.

 

For clay lube you can cut ONR even more (2oz to 1 gallon) instead of using it at the QD strenght (6oz to 1 gallon)

Thats what I use and it is by far the cheapest clay lube (other than water, but I don't have any bh clay) and it works great.

 

If you prefer the Meguiars Quik Detailer as a clay lube, I'm fairly certain Meguiars M34 Final Inspection is the same (smells the same and works equally as well). M34 is available by the gallon for around $25 if I remember correctly. As others have mentioned, Meguiars Detailer Last Touch also works great.

 

ONR is one of the most economical and effective IMO. Plus it doesnt eat up clay or leave any protection on the paint.

Megs last touch 1:1 is super slick and great to use BUT Last Touch contains a ton of silicone, great for lubricity but it also leaves a layer of protection on the paint (you can see it bead up if your rinse it) after claying with it.

Before you tape a car you need to remove the LT protection with multiple IPA wipedowns because the tape wont stick as well.

 

I'm using CG Maxisuds as clay lube mixed with water

 

ONR with about 5ml of Megs #00 high tech wash, or dodo juice born slippery.

 

Dish wash soap is the kiss of death for clay bars.

 

So are slippery fingers :help:


lol

 

ONR; Very economical and has been said is very gentle on clay bars. I also feel that some clay lubes are almost too slippery and that the result is less "bite" from the clay.

@ David: Very true observation about LT and tape sticking issues... what a pita just to lay some tape down....

 

I've been using DP 4in1 at QD strength for years

 

I would also suggest ONR at clay lube dilution, very economical and won't do anything to your clay.

 

One reason I have always done a cleaning wash (citrus or apc) to remove the polymers so tape can stick and any clay and clay lube residue.

 

I also ALWAYS do a decon wash.

I do my decon wash prior to claying:
Decon Wash
Clay
Correct

 

ONR or Ultima Waterless wash+ concentrate both work fantastically as clay lube and are both very cheap at QD strength. I prefer Ultima slightly and it seems to clean better than ONR when used as a QD as well (oh and it has the best smell of any QD/Waterless wash EVER).

 

ONR at clay lube strength is hard to beat economically and performance wise. The cleaners in ONR are non-caustic and have very good lubricity. 2oz. of ONR will make a gallon of clay lube and only cost you $1 (MSRP 32oz.) or $0.62 (MSRP 128oz.).