Kaolin clay does it strip existing wax?

ShinyRex

ShinyRex

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Does Kaolin clay (in spray waterless wash products) strip wax when applied like detailing clay?

If it is supposed to remove bonded contaminants like a clay bar then it should strip wax also right? This would make me leery to use a QD/waterless wash spray with Kaolin in it.

I tried to search via the forum and Google but I didn't come up with anything, so sorry if this is a stupid question that I should have figured out already.
-Roy

 
Boy this sounds like a troll...so what product exactly are you referring to?
 
I picked up Smart wax one and i was just curious if it was going to remove my existing coat of wax. I didn't mean to sound like a troll but I honestly had trouble finding a descent answer via search. If the answer is "no it is too mild to worry about" then I won't sweat it.
-Roy
 
I figured you were talking about that CG stuff...it never really seemed to take off, which is why you can't find much on it. I will say that waxes that have kaolin clay are considered to have "cleaners" and be non-layerable, so I think that answers your question.

If you want to make sure you're not removing your existing LSP I would change to a different waterless wash like the Optimum Opti-Clean or Ultima Waterless Wash.
 
Thanks I picked it up onsale and I was thinking it might work as a QD replacement, but I think I'll stick with a standard QD with nuba now.
 
Kaolin clay is what is used in a number of "cleaner" waxes and polishes (one that comes to mind is Meguiar's #83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polish) so I would have to say that yes, it does strip wax/sealant.
 
I used the same Smartwax One stuff, as I've talked to the guys and they assured that it is NOT a Cleaner, and is safe to "layer" and such.

I've also heard other users claim that it doesn't strip LSP.

I really hope it doesn't! I used it 3 weeks after getting my car sealed with Menzerna Polymer Sealant, and man would I hate to have undone that!

I will be picking up ONR W/W I guess to be safe. Maybe cycling the "One" stuff when I want something more extensive like a clay on the car every once in a while (maybe).
 
It's funny, I've seen a lot of companies claim their "clay" doesn't remove wax. Griots is one that comes to mind. Has anyone actually "clayed" a car and its killed the wax? It seems like the clay would glide over it, unless you were scrubbing the paint with the clay like a moron. You would think using a clay bar would remove a wax, but I'm not so sure.

I highly doubt using SmartWax 1 would remove PowerLock.
 
swanicyouth said:
I highly doubt using SmartWax 1 would remove PowerLock.
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Thanks, I hope not. I'm learning so much through every mistake I make, I guess it's partially worth it.

Had I not had such a tough time scrubbing off the clay that comes with "One", which resulted in some premature swirls (though not nearly as noticeable or bad as I had initially feared) I wouldn't have started researching other methods of washing (without being able to use a hose), and I wouldn't have come across ONR nor would I have learned of the "possibility" that clay in a Waterless Wax can remove existing wax/sealant.

Man do I hope my Menzerna Sealant didn't get swayed by it. I'm sure by the time I start using ONR Wash/Wax every 2-3 weeks or so I'll have so much fresh wax regularly applied to the car it won't even matter.
 
Keep in mind that many of the abrasives used in mild automotive polishes are 'clays'. In fact if one was to approach the minerals and abrasives 'manufacturers', they would be sending you samples of clays, not ceramics, if you wanted to polish automotive clearcoat. My experience is that such suppliers are reluctant to sell things like alumina for this because of the potential for damage. Of course, inspite of this, the use of such compounds is very common.

To the question, yes, there is the potential for removing wax. However, it is a potential, not a guarantee. As with any abrasive, you will have to do mechanical work to abrade the surface, contact alone (as with heavy solvents) would not strip wax.
 
Mr Megane said:
Keep in mind that many of the abrasives used in mild automotive polishes are 'clays'. In fact if one was to approach the minerals and abrasives 'manufacturers', they would be sending you samples of clays, not ceramics, if you wanted to polish automotive clearcoat. My experience is that such suppliers are reluctant to sell things like alumina for this because of the potential for damage. Of course, inspite of this, the use of such compounds is very common.

To the question, yes, there is the potential for removing wax. However, it is a potential, not a guarantee. As with any abrasive, you will have to do mechanical work to abrade the surface, contact alone (as with heavy solvents) would not strip wax.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good point at the end. I mean, I buffed it by hand. Hopefully that wouldn't be enough pressure (even though I had to press a lot harder and buff a lot more than I wanted to since the damn thing was so stubborn to buff out) to strip Sealant anyway.
 
FUNX725 said:
Clay…Kaolinite/Kaolin Clay...
Calcined Kaolin Clay (anhydrous)

Note: These "clays" come in a variety of grades, through different refining processes…
With Calcined Kaolin Clay being considered the most refined (best) grade.

What is Calcined Kaolin Clay?
- It is an anhydrous (water/moisture-free; dried) aluminium silicate produced
from the natural clay mineral Kaolinite.
-Calcined: heated to temperatures 650 C, and above.
-The chemical formula for pure clay (mineral name Kaolinite) is Al2O3 2SiO2 2H2O
- It is inert (neutral), and has a high silicon content.
-Has a porous structure

What are some of its purposes:
-Improves structural strength, good dispersion, chemical stability, corrosion resistance, gloss,
enhances luster, chemical engineered ceramics (such as in brakes), impact resistance, durability,
heat and weather resistance, opacity...as when one coat of paint hides wall-blemishes/other colors,
diffuses light transmission, adsorption, it can partially replace (supplant) things like: TiO2 (titanium white)---for whiteness...
and alumina… thereby improving product quality and reduce production costs...directly cutting monetary output
for costlier materials, reinforcing, electrical insulator, tear resistance,
tensile strength, aging resistance, solubility enhancement, abrasion resistance, smoothness, insulating properties,
fire resistance, barrier properties, mildly abrasive formulations for metal cleaning compounds and car polishes,
modify rheology, stain resistance, carrier for active ingredients, "nano’s", chemical-interaction for polymer structures…
among many, many others.
Click to expand...
Since being an "ingredient" of: mildly abrasive formulations...is just one function of Kaolin Clay(s)

IMHO...Then:

Kaolin Clay(s) are not some ogreish-filler with a mission to impart:
"accidentes fatales" to vehicles' panel surfaces...
Or to any LSP's...said vehicles' panels would be so adorned.


Bob
 
KevA said:
I used the same Smartwax One stuff, as I've talked to the guys and they assured that it is NOT a Cleaner, and is safe to "layer" and such.

I've also heard other users claim that it doesn't strip LSP.

I really hope it doesn't! I used it 3 weeks after getting my car sealed with Menzerna Polymer Sealant, and man would I hate to have undone that!

I will be picking up ONR W/W I guess to be safe. Maybe cycling the "One" stuff when I want something more extensive like a clay on the car every once in a while (maybe).
Click to expand...

I don't know who "the guys" are but it's entire purpose in life is a waterless wash so it obviously cleans. It leaves carnauba behind to enhance the look. I've used it for ages and will be headed out this morning to clean up my car with it. Does it remove any wax/sealant beneath it? Don't honestly know. I've always thought of it as a very light polish.
 
RTexasF said:
I don't know who "the guys" are but it's entire purpose in life is a waterless wash so it obviously cleans. It leaves carnauba behind to enhance the look. I've used it for ages and will be headed out this morning to clean up my car with it. Does it remove any wax/sealant beneath it? Don't honestly know. I've always thought of it as a very light polish.
Click to expand...

I meant the guys who make SmartWax One (they were at a stand at the Auto Show which is where I was introduced to the product).

Are you referring to that same exact product in which you've used for years? I really like it, and had no problems at all with it on my white car, but on my black car, maybe due to how you can see everything, I'm noticing just how hard it can be to buff out some of that clay (I'm assuming it's the clay and not wax that was extra difficult to buff out). The actual process of cleaning it does so well, however oddly enough it was when I was buffing out a clean surface that I got all these micro swirls from using it.

I guess even if it did strip some LSP, it's essentially replacing it with its own 'Nuba. Still not ideal but it's not like it's leaving the surface unprotected. And it really does leave a slick finish.
 
1. Holy thread revival Batman :)

2. Thanks for the great discussion! Personally I stopped using ONE after my fist bottle. Not that I felt it was a bad product or anything but I like UWW+ followed by V7 better. I don't do this for a living so I don't mind taking an extra step at the cost of time.

3. Any of the "Smart Wax" options are usually a bit pricy and have a twin brother product in the Chemical Guys line for much cheaper.
 
KevA said:
I meant the guys who make SmartWax One (they were at a stand at the Auto Show which is where I was introduced to the product).

Are you referring to that same exact product in which you've used for years? I really like it, and had no problems at all with it on my white car, but on my black car, maybe due to how you can see everything, I'm noticing just how hard it can be to buff out some of that clay (I'm assuming it's the clay and not wax that was extra difficult to buff out). The actual process of cleaning it does so well, however oddly enough it was when I was buffing out a clean surface that I got all these micro swirls from using it.



I guess even if it did strip some LSP, it's essentially replacing it with its own 'Nuba. Still not ideal but it's not like it's leaving the surface unprotected. And it really does leave a slick finish.
Click to expand...

Chemical Guys came out with "ONE" roughly five+ years ago. This was well prior to the Smart Wax line of products. I bought it immediately back then and it came in a 1/2 gallon size, they even sent me a spray bottle. All this was @ 50% off because they were pushing this brand new product.

Since then the Smart Wax brand has come about and the "ONE" product went to that line and the price went up. I still use it today, and just did, as a matter of fact on two RAV4s. Nothing could be any easier to wipe off so I've no idea what is going on in your instance. The clay is in solution, it can't build up on the car. Maybe you're not letting it haze or dry completely?

Now since this is a Wash N Wax in a bottle with no hose or water bucket required how could it NOT have cleaners in it? Perhaps you misunderstood them or they were swigging Mango Vodka under the table but a waterless wash obviously must have cleaners in it to do the job.
 
RTexasF said:
Chemical Guys came out with "ONE" roughly five+ years ago. This was well prior to the Smart Wax line of products. I bought it immediately back then and it came in a 1/2 gallon size, they even sent me a spray bottle. All this was @ 50% off because they were pushing this brand new product.

Since then the Smart Wax brand has come about and the "ONE" product went to that line and the price went up. I still use it today, and just did, as a matter of fact on two RAV4s. Nothing could be any easier to wipe off so I've no idea what is going on in your instance. The clay is in solution, it can't build up on the car. Maybe you're not letting it haze or dry completely?

Now since this is a Wash N Wax in a bottle with no hose or water bucket required how could it NOT have cleaners in it? Perhaps you misunderstood them or they were swigging Mango Vodka under the table but a waterless wash obviously must have cleaners in it to do the job.
Click to expand...

I asked them if it had any light "abrasives" (like a Cleaner Wax) that essentially can remove any clear coat and they assured me that it does NOT. Is that not true? I guess it comes down to people's different opinion on "cleaners". From what I understood or though I did, SM One is no more abrasive than a soap, yet leaves behind a Carnuba Wax as well. If it does have actual abrasive cleaners in the way of a Cleaner Wax (and not a soap) then I'd think that they wouldn't say that it's safe for plastics and such?

I do like the product and might have been caught off guard by it since it'd been a while before I used it. I think next time I use it I'm gonna have a slightly damp towel to help with the buffing, so I don't have to get too rigorous with it, resulting in swirls (unfortunate that what swirled my car wasn't the cleaning aspect of the product even, it was the damn buffing).

At least I'm learning a lot!
 
KevA said:
I asked them if it had any light "abrasives" (like a Cleaner Wax) that essentially can remove any clear coat and they assured me that it does NOT. Is that not true? I guess it comes down to people's different opinion on "cleaners". From what I understood or though I did, SM One is no more abrasive than a soap, yet leaves behind a Carnuba Wax as well. If it does have actual abrasive cleaners in the way of a Cleaner Wax (and not a soap) then I'd think that they wouldn't say that it's safe for plastics and such?

I do like the product and might have been caught off guard by it since it'd been a while before I used it. I think next time I use it I'm gonna have a slightly damp towel to help with the buffing, so I don't have to get too rigorous with it, resulting in swirls (unfortunate that what swirled my car wasn't the cleaning aspect of the product even, it was the damn buffing).

At least I'm learning a lot!
Click to expand...

Now you clarify..........in post #7 you said "cleaners" not abrasives :rolleyes:. That's a whole different animal. No, I do not believe it is abrasive.
 
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