Is detailing spray the only thing I should be using when clay bar'ing?

Is detailing spray the only thing I should be using when clay bar'ing?

No need to use anything ells...

You can try a mixture of pH neutral soap and water, but you kind of need to hit that sweet spot. You don't want it to be too slippery or not slippery enough... the benefit of just going with detail spray is that the guesswork is taken out of it.

I used the clay bar system for the first time. I've been driving for 50 years, and I was totaly blown away how easy, and how well it works. Yes, use the quick detailer, no brainer.

I've done the soap and water and it seemed to work well.

Water is fine too but it's nice to have a little slipperiness to it.

I saw that Adams even recommend using clay bar on the windshield using the detail spray that came with the claybar.(not Adams)
I tryed that and it did make the windshield feel slick however I had a smeary mess on the glass and have not been able to get it off. I tryed windex to no avail.

Water with a hint of soap is what I have used in the past with clay bars.

I saw that Adams even recommend using clay bar on the windshield using the detail spray that came with the claybar.(not Adams)
I tryed that and it did make the windshield feel slick however I had a smeary mess on the glass and have not been able to get it off. I tryed windex to no avail.


You probably didn't have sufficient lubrication for the bar. Clay should never leave 'smears' just lubrication residue. If the lube isn't slippery enough the bar drags and you'll have clay residue on the surface. Too slippery and the bar doesn't make sufficient contact and can't do its job. Also some of the yellow clays that are sold OTC are a little too soft (in my opinion) and if its slightly warm outside they'll get tacky and stick to things.

To remove that residue from the glass try a little All Purpose Cleaner on a towel. Follow up with glass cleaner to remove any hazing.

You probably didn't have sufficient lubrication for the bar. Clay should never leave 'smears' just lubrication residue. If the lube isn't slippery enough the bar drags and you'll have clay residue on the surface. Too slippery and the bar doesn't make sufficient contact and can't do its job. Also some of the yellow clays that are sold OTC are a little too soft (in my opinion) and if its slightly warm outside they'll get tacky and stick to things.

To remove that residue from the glass try a little All Purpose Cleaner on a towel. Follow up with glass cleaner to remove any hazing.

good info, I'll give it a try.

I have not tried a clay bar yet, maybe sometime in the future.