Forget the Clay Lube..Use Steam

H

howareb

New member
I have been wondering about this process for a while. Normally I use water and I have also used clay lube. Something, however, has always seemed intriguing to me about using steam. If anyone has seen a steamer, you know the cleaning power that it has. This along with the temp of the steam would keep the clay more plyable and tacky (escpecially during thoses cold winter months). The only down side to the procedure was the possibility of burning yourself with the stem. I did my process without any protection on the hands. My proces was basically stem the area and then clay.



As a test today I used the steamer and clay to clay the front windsheild and also a large tar spot on the front fender. For the tar spot I could have just used tar remover, however I usually try to stay away from these products if I can. With just the lube and clay I just smeared the tar all over the place, however with the steam and clay the tar easily came off. On the windshield the clay and steam easily cut through the grime on the windsheild. I think that I will use this process a lot during the winter months.



If you try this please do not burn yourself. I would think that a damp microfiber mitt and a keen focus on what you are doing would be enough to shield the heat from burning your hand. Good luck.
 
I'm wondering if the hot steam makes the clay too soft and does the water lube affect the glideability of the clay?
 
David Fermani said:
I'm wondering if the hot steam makes the clay too soft and does the water lube affect the glideability of the clay?
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The glideability is NICE!! It is the same as if you are using water. as for making the clay too soft, this is not something that I would probably do in the warmer months, but for the colder months the clay remains at just the right softness. I am basicly steaming an area an then rubbing the clay across that area immediatly after, so in many ways it is the same process as using a spray bottle of lube/water, except I am using steam. It is not cheaper, I just think that for me it is a little easier on tar or similar items.
 
You clay using straight water (as lube)?? :soscared:



How does that not marr the heck out of your paint? Water by itself does not have very good lubricity.
 
Inzane said:
You clay using straight water (as lube)?? :soscared:



How does that not marr the heck out of your paint? Water by itself does not have very good lubricity.
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There are plenty of people who do that. I think the argument is that if you are going to polish the car anyway, marring doesn't matter, and the lack of lubricity will keep the clay from slipping over some particles that it might with lube. Meaning that some people think the clay works better with water.



(Don't beat on me about this, I use car wash as lube and only have incidentally used water, I'm not advocating/supporting, nor am I discouraging the practice, only explaining that water-for-lube has been discussed around these parts before.)
 
And going off of Setec's point many of the clay lube products are 98-99% water anyhow. I was surprised too when I learned about water as a clay lube, but some pretty prominant detailers that I know do this. One very good benefit is that soap does not destroy your clay. That alone saves me on clay expenses.
 
howareb said:
One very good benefit is that soap does not destroy your clay. That alone saves me on clay expenses.
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MOST soaps don't destroy clay. There are a few exceptions. I forgot what soap I was using where the clay was just crumbling while I was using it.
 
I would be more worried about destroying paint with the steam. My steam cleaner puts out 300+ degrees. Wouldn't it be easier to just use hot water in a spray bottle if you want the heat?
 
howareb said:
..If you try this please do not burn yourself...
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I clay, and I steam, just not at the same time :grinno: Hey, I'm Mr. High-Lubricity-Clay-Lube, but that's just me. Anyhow...to the point:



I also wear rubber gloves when doing both, keeps the steam from burning me and keeps the clay from sticking to my skin. Might be worth trying if doing the steam-lube claying technique.
 
mhuie said:
I would be more worried about destroying paint with the steam. My steam cleaner puts out 300+ degrees. Wouldn't it be easier to just use hot water in a spray bottle if you want the heat?
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Using steam to clean the exterior of your car is an acceptable industry practice. Your paint would not be harmed by using low pressure steam cleaners.



To your other point, I normally use hot water (132 degrees), but it still does not provide the same cleaning power as steam with the clay. Like I said earlier it was something that I just tried, and I was pretty impressed with the results.
 
In the UK we have a clay by a company BILT HAMBER who make some excellent stuff. The clay us designed for use with only water as lube, no marring, 2 types avalible and its top stuff! I hope you guys get it when what ever limits have been lifted your clay situtation.
 
steelwind101 said:
In the UK we have a clay by a company BILT HAMBER who make some excellent stuff. The clay us designed for use with only water as lube, no marring, 2 types avalible and its top stuff! I hope you guys get it when what ever limits have been lifted your clay situtation.
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Stop teasing US!!!! :(:laugh:
 
bert31 said:
MOST soaps don't destroy clay. There are a few exceptions. I forgot what soap I was using where the clay was just crumbling while I was using it.
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Any soap with degreasers (most car wash soaps, dawn, etc) will degrade clay over time. If you like a soapy lube try using a few pumps of hand soap in a spray bottle of water. Very cheap, equally effective.
 
How many of you are doing or have tried this? Also how many of you have Steamers? I'm considering one, even though I have a heated extractor. I know these do 2 different things. Which is a Good economical staemer for a mobile set up?
 
I use straight water as lube all the time. Then again, we get the good clay here. :D



I like using water because it contains, well, nothing but water - and that means less stuff to interfere with my compounding.
 
Picus said:
I use straight water as lube all the time. Then again, we get the good clay here. :D



I like using water because it contains, well, nothing but water - and that means less stuff to interfere with my compounding.
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Plus in most cases the car is going to get a heck of alot of paint correction, so breeze through the clay process with simple water and you're good to go.
 
SilvaBimma said:
Plus in most cases the car is going to get a heck of alot of paint correction, so breeze through the clay process with simple water and you're good to go.
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I've never seen clay marring so severe that a simple one-step DA polish couldn't remove it.
 
MichaelM said:
I've never seen clay marring so severe that a simple one-step DA polish couldn't remove it.
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I have- Sonus gray clay, used a little aggressively, on my '97 M3 (hard clear). I guess a more aggressive one-step than I'm used to might've done it though...
 
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