Alternative to UQD when claying?

[DJJeffMills]

I got the Meg's UQD with my 'Smooth Surface Clay Kit' and a buddy said that he had used it in the past but now uses an alternative to the UQD that's a lot cheaper and he claims that it works just as well.

He uses a 70:30 water:isopropyl alcohol mixture in a spray bottle.

Note: Isopropyl alcohol is the 70%

He uses it using the same technique as he had with the UQD and got the same results.

Anybody else using that method (or other alternatives)?

[Murr1525]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

Well, lets see...

A. I am not sure why/how you got UQD in your Smooth Surface kit. Are you sure it wasnt the regular QD in the red bottle?

B. UQD is not meant for claying, the regular QD, Last Touch, or Final Inspection are the recomended products.

C. The reason for the QD, or soapy water that some folks choose to use, is that it provides lubrication, so you dont swirl and scratch your paint with the clay, and the dirt picked up on the clay. Alcohol will provide no such lubrication, and so while it may remove contaminants the same, it runs the risk of swirling the paint and causing the clay to fall apart with no added benefit.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

Just to note in case there's any confusion, UQD in other words Ultimate Quik Detailer does not come inside the Smooth Surface Clay Kit, normal Quik Detailer comes inside the kit.

Meguiar's doesn't recommend UQD for claying and at a suggested retail price of $9.99 a bottle as compared to Quik Detailer at $6.49 a bottle, Quik Detailer is the preferred spray lubricant and a more cost-effective spray lubricant.

As for making your own, be careful that your creation doesn't prematurely break down or affect the clay in a negative way.

Quik Detailer is a time-proven formula that does exactly what you want it to do, that is it lubricates the surface to enable the claying process without any problems and then wipes off to leave a nice looking finish.

A home concoction may or may not work, it may or may not have a negative affect on the clay but it usually doesn't leave a nice looking finish like our Quik Detailer will.

And while some people may jump to the next step of logic and think to themselves,

"Well if I'm going to apply a paint cleaner or a wax after claying why does it matter how the paint looks after claying?"

That's a good point but after teaching thousands of people how to clay paint, I can assure you that most people expect the paint to look good after each step, (washing, claying, paint cleaning, polishing, waxing), and when it doesn't they get worried and/or upset and think somethings wrong.

Just a FWIW

[zoomzoom mazda5]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

Been using #34 when claying for yrs.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

Been using #34 when claying for yrs.

M34
Quik Detailer
Last Touch diluted 1:1 with water

These are all excellent clay lubes.

[HagFan]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

I used to use the QD that came with the kit. The kit the best way to get started. Now I buy the medium detailing clay (blue stuff) and Last Touch. They come in larger sizes, Last Touch can be diluted as Mike said, and I already have enough micro fiber towels.

[3Fitty]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

What about the NXT Speed Detailer? Is it okay?

[Murr1525]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

Yes, if you had it, it would be ok too.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Alternative to UQD when claying?

I have only used the regular qd, or last touch diluted 1:1. Have no complaints. I Would stay away from the alcohol/water mix. I think it would probably break down the clay to quickly.