Best Clay Bar Lubricants (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

The methodology I employed was to consider dozens of clay bar lubricants before choosing our top contenders. Some brands are already well-established in this niche, and priority was given to certain manufacturers’ products as they’re world-renowned. Other lesser-known brands were also evaluated to see if the young bucks could compete against the top-tier products for a fraction of the cost. The main features taken into consideration were quality of formula, value, volume, versatility, protective features, and longevity. We avoided products that don't provide adequate lubrication, or that leave a thick film after use.

We’ve chosen Mothers California Gold Instant Detail Cleaner as our best overall clay bar lubricant. This product is tried and tested, provides excellent lubrication, and leaves a shiny finish. If you’re working off a tight budget, then check out our value pick, Quik Detailer By Meguiar’s.

There are tons of clay bar lubricants on the market, with seemingly minute differences separating the wheat from the chaff. Because some automotive detailing products have several uses, it can be hard to know which ones are suitable for lubrication. This buying guide will help you understand the right types of lubricants to use with a clay bar and what key features to consider.

Clay bar lubricants do exactly as you’d imagine, lubricate and it’ll normally do it better than a quick detailer, although it won’t be as versatile. These lubricants use a synthetic formula, which works on all paint color types and prevents swirl marks.

You can use a quick detailer spray as a substitute for clay bar lubricant. Most quick detailers will lubricate well, especially synthetic ones. We don’t suggest using quick detailers containing wax, as these products aren’t best-suited for clay bars.

This type of lubricant is great for people who want a versatile spray, which can also be used to keep their car clean between washes. Some clay bar kits directly come with a detailer.

When it comes to clay bar lubricants, the quality of the formula is the most important thing to consider. High-quality formulas will provide good lubrication and won’t leave behind any unwanted film on the paint. Many formulas will have additives, so look for additives that produce your desired effect. For example, some additives will help protect any wax you’ve applied, while others will make the surfaces shine.

Like most things, the more clay bar lubricant you buy, the cheaper it tends to be. So if you’re borderline obsessive over keeping your car in tip-top shape, you might go through a lot of lubricants. Likewise, if you have a large collection of vehicles, it makes sense to buy lubricant in bulk.

But if you’re not going to get through a large volume quickly enough, you should be aware that it could go bad. When lubricants freeze and thaw, some of the ingredients can separate and won’t easily redissolve, which renders the solution useless.

Because some quick detailers are jack-of-all-trades products and masters of none, you’ll need to decide if quality or versatility is more important to you. You can save a significant amount of money if you opt for one product that has several uses, but chances are it won’t be a top-level lubricant. The best middle ground for some people will be a spray that mainly acts as clay bar lubricant, but has some agents that help it act as a quick detailer.

Tradition is important with the team at Mothers, and you won’t see much change over the years with the core formulations. Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Mothers’ polish became one of the preferred brands due to its ability to give mag and aluminum a high shine polish. It may not be considered professional quality, but it’s readily available and perfect for the average car owner who is looking for affordable car care products.

As one of the oldest car care products on this list, Meguiar’s is probably the most well-known worldwide. Founded in 1901, this once family-owned company is now under the 3M umbrella of brands. What started as a furniture polish company has grown into a staple brand name in the car enthusiast community. As a part of this, the company sponsors and staffs over 100 car shows worldwide and supports over 3,500 car clubs. While the product line features high-quality formulas, the company’s mission is to fuel a passion for cars and focus on the human side of the automotive industry.

The founders behind Chemical Guys wanted to create more than just a company, they wanted to build a lifestyle. They were successful in their efforts as there is now a worldwide following of car enthusiasts who exclusively use the Chemical Guys line of car care products. There is a culture of fun, authenticity, and empowerment that comes when using Chemical Guys car care products. Each product’s development was approached from the ground up using only the best quality chemicals, small-batch waxes, and innovative coatings. Car owners that appreciate an innovative company that isn’t afraid of change will like what they find with Chemical Guys.

Founded in 2000, Adam’s has grown to become a company that sells care products worldwide. The company’s founder prides himself on not being normal. His passion for cleaning and polishing spreads throughout the company, and it’s not uncommon to see the founder pressure washing the warehouse forklifts. You’ll find products for both the interior and exterior of your car and ceramics for extra protection and improvement in looks. Beginners will appreciate the emphasis on a learning culture where you can learn the best application practices and car care. If you aren’t satisfied with any product you purchase from Adam’s they will refund your purchase price plus ten percent.

While Griot’s may not be as large of a company as the other brand’s on this list, it’s a formidable one. Founded in 1988, the company is privately owned and has 70 dedicated employees. Its products are made in the United States in Plainfield, Ind. From its beginnings, the company has a lifetime guarantee on everything the company sells. Each product is thoughtfully and carefully created from concept to production to ensure the best quality possible. You’ll find a focus on timeless products that have a proven history of performance over trendy and fad products that can’t guarantee results. The team at Griot’s is so confident in their products that everything sold is also covered by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

You can buy a quality clay bar lubricant for under $15. They typically come in a bottle that contains enough product for several applications. Higher quality products can easily cost $20 or more. However, there’s a caveat to buying these products because you don’t want to focus solely on price. A low-cost lubricant may seem like a bargain until it doesn’t perform well and comes in a small bottle that isn’t enough to last a single application. A more expensive bottle may seem out of your budget but is actually a great bargain because it’s a large bottle that will last for several applications.

There are a few handy tips and tricks we’ve learned during our decades of washing, waxing, and clay barring cars. And today, we’re imparting them to you.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

A: Yes, using a clay bar without lubricant can cause marring and leave small, hard-to-remove pieces of clay behind. The clay could also drag capture particles across the paint and scratch it without proper lubrication.

A: Water on its own doesn’t provide enough lubrication for a clay bar. It’s not slick enough to allow the bar to glide over your vehicle’s paint with ease. Make sure you get some lubricant.

A: To prevent the possibility of scratches or other damage to your car, we recommended that you use a product that’s designed specifically for clay bar lubrication.