Clay broken apart after 2 uses???

G

God77

New member
Hi,

I've used soft99 clay for my car once and then I keep it in a zip-log plastic bag with 1-2 spray of some car wash soap to keep it moist. I keep it for about 2 week and Today, I use it again on another car. The clay is still very clean and I can knead it to get clean surface. The problem is that when I'm half done claying with my car today, the clay starts to break apart very easily and when I'm almost done claying, my clay can no longer be used and it became powdery or something like that and the consistency is no longer like a clay.:hairpull:hairpull

Actually, my clay is still very clean and I'm quite disappointed that I have to throw away a clean clay. Please suggest me why my clay turns out to be like that? I've heard other people using their clays for about 6-8 times and their reason to throw away a clay is because it becomes so dirty, right? I'm claying using car-wash soap and is it the reason causing my clay like that? Next, if using a car shampoo as a clay lubricant, what's the concentration ratio to be used? I'm currently using 1:4. Is it OK to use this ratio. Please help me.



Thanks,

77
 
Yeah, I'd blame the carwash too. Some shampoo/clay combos are so bad that the clay gets compromised while while you're doing the claying (which is why I usually use a dedicated clay lube).



I store my clay *dry* these days.. consider that it *comes* dry. For that matter, I often just stick a blob of clay on the rim of my wash bucket, no problems, not like it dries out or goes bad or anything like that.
 
Accumulator said:
I store my clay *dry* these days.. consider that it *comes* dry. For that matter, I often just stick a blob of clay on the rim of my wash bucket, no problems, not like it dries out or goes bad or anything like that.
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Good point. Clay is synthetic and does not contain water. In general, it will not dry out unless exposed to UV for a long period of time. Store dry!
 
Does anything have to do with the PH of the lube it's store in? I'm under the impression that many shampoos/soaps aren't PH balanced/neutral?
 
David Fermani said:
Does anything have to do with the PH of the lube it's store in? I'm under the impression that many shampoos/soaps aren't PH balanced/neutral?
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Has more to do with alcohol and other solvents. Also, so grades of clay, the fine clays in particular, do not have enough abrasive material to hold together when they are saturated in water.



Best bet all the way around is to use a lube made for clay. If the chemist did a good job, and did not simply repackage a detail spray, the clay will hold together and last a long time.
 
OK! So, My problem is keeping the clay with car-soap, right? I'll keep it dry or only moist with clean water. For claying, it's difficult for me to get a proper clay lube in my country and so, I just have to use Car-Shampoo as a lube. Is it still OK to use car shampoo only when claying? And for keeping, I'll clean the clay with clean water first and then keep it.

What will be your recommended concentration ratio for a car shampoo as a clay lube? Next, how can I know whether a shampoo is compatible with my clay or not?
 
God77 said:
OK! So, My problem is keeping the clay with car-soap, right? I'll keep it dry or only moist with clean water...
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Right. Just keep it dry when you store it.



.. For claying, it's difficult for me to get a proper clay lube in my country and so, I just have to use Car-Shampoo as a lube. Is it still OK to use car shampoo only when claying? And for keeping, I'll clean the clay with clean water first and then keep it...
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If you have to use shampoo then you have to use it. I'd consider using a quick-detailer instead, to at least see it if works better/worse.



Yeah, cleaning the clay with water might help remove some of the stuff from the shampoo that would cause problems.



What will be your recommended concentration ratio for a car shampoo as a clay lube?
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I'd use just enough shampoo to provide greater lubricity than plain water.



.. how can I know whether a shampoo is compatible with my clay or not?
Click to expand...



I guess you won't know until it does/does not compromise the clay.
 
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