Car shampoo as a clay bar lubricant?

[s5tuart]

Is it really necessary to use a proprietary lubricant for clay bars or will a decent car shampoo do the job just as well?

 

[SmartAmg]

Not sure about Clay bars, I use a clay mitt/cloth with soapy water, works great, I don't see any reason at all, why you shouldn't use soapy water with a clay bar, no doubt someone will tell you.

 

[Wighty]

Is it really necessary to use a proprietary lubricant for clay bars or will a decent car shampoo do the job just as well?

It will be fine buddy , put some in a hand held spray bottle so you can spray as you clay

 

[s5tuart]

Searching on the bay I'm finding that a lot of advertisers promote quick detailer as a lubricant...

 

[Wighty]

Searching on the bay I'm finding that a lot of advertisers promote quick detailer as a lubricant...

QD is slippier so yes it will help but a few % difference ?? Maybe .

 

[Wighty]

Searching on the bay I'm finding that a lot of advertisers promote quick detailer as a lubricant...

I thought you were about to start doing it now . If you are ordering stuff then order some clay bar lubricant and get a clay mitt rather than clay

 

[SmartAmg]

Also, just a thought, Bilt Hamber say to use just water with there clay bars, so soapy water no problems, methinks.

 

[s5tuart]

I thought you were about to start doing it now . If you are ordering stuff then order some clay bar lubricant and get a clay mitt rather than clay

I already have the clay from my R129 days so I'm girding my loins to get at the R230 soon.
As is my wont I can't remember what I used on the 129

 

[daveenty]

Quick detailing spray is fine as a clay lube. Bilt Hamber, as mentioned above, suggest only water is needed though I do tend to use a soapy mix when using it. Meg's Gold Class works fine for me, with no drag/drying out whatsoever.

 

[richlumb]

Depends on the clay bar , Bilt hamber says water , Meguiars works best with quick detailer each product is different, but a couple drops of car shampoo works fine in a spray bottle

 

[JBell]

Bilt Hamber, as mentioned above, suggest only water is needed though I do tend to use a soapy mix when using it.

Did my car on Tues with BH clay and water as a lubricant, no issues at all

 

[Morethanpolish]

I suspect Megs say their QD to sell it, BH does work fine with water but soft water will be better, and you can make your own lube - its all about helping the clay glide, so not too much shampoo and any will do.

I'm not convinced about mitts - if you drop it (hard I know, but possible) or it gets encrusted with crud, its a lot more cash down the drain than a small bit of clay

 

[Wighty]

I suspect Megs say their QD to sell it, BH does work fine with water but soft water will be better, and you can make your own lube - its all about helping the clay glide, so not too much shampoo and any will do.

I'm not convinced about mitts - if you drop it (hard I know, but possible) or it gets encrusted with crud, its a lot more cash down the drain than a small bit of clay

Looks like a lot of clay bars are more than mitts cost wise ?

 

[JBell]

Looks like a lot of clay bars are more than mitts cost wise ?

But you cut a Clay Bar into pieces, a BH Clay Bar should cut down into 5 pieces so should do at least 3 cleans

 

[V6Matty]

I prefer a mitt these days (when I actually get chance to use one) being able to just dunk in some soapy water and then rinse off while laying makes the process so much quicker than a few bits of clay. That said I do think it’s about how long it’s been since a decontamination as to whether you should you a proper clay or a mitt,