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I have just detailed my MINI in the past week or so- clayed, polished, waxed. I've read up on detailing on the popular websites and it seems that the magic number for using the claybar per year is about 1-2 times, depending on where you live, and how much you drive.
I would probably fall into the 2x per year category. However, I would like to do a semi-major detail about 3-4x per year (March, July, October possibly). By this, I mean that I'd like to reEpic and polish...but should I clay each time? Is there any harm to doing this process too much? Essentially, is it clay or bust when applying Epic?
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05 JB MCSc - Alta V2 15% pulley l Alta CAI l TCSportline exhaust l NGK Irridium colder plugs l M7 Ultimate Grills l LvS b/o headlamp rings
"IMALIMY"
90/10 all the way, That's the spirit! I hate airconditioning. Period.
I clay when the paint doesn't pass the "feel" test (using a baggie.) It turns out that this is always true about the time when I need to re-Epic (about twice a year).
I guess if I was lucky enough to have the paint smooth I would skip the clay. However, I don't think it will hurt to do it more often. I never see paint coming off with the clay. My guess is that you would just be wasting money (clay isn't cheap).
But that's just me...
-Ed
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2006 CRB MCS
15% Reduction, Alta CAI, too many interior mods to list...
I've been known to "cheat" on in-between detail sessions and just clay the bonnet and boot. I do the bonnet because the horizontal surfaces seem to collect more crap, and the boot because the boot on a MINI *really* collects the crap. My MINI is a convertible, or I'd probably clay the roof for the same reason as the bonnet.
Of course, since I've started using Hydro when I dry the car, I might just forgo the "in-between" sessions altogether, and just do the clay/polish/sealant thing twice a year over the whole car.
So am I right in thinking that clay does not take off any of your clearcoat, as does a polish (abrasive or not)? And as long as you're not seeing paint come off you're ok?
We have nasty roads here in PA during the winter, so a late fall tune-up is a must. I guess I'll wait until October to do the baggie test and see if it needs it. I'm also looking into buying a PC next spring. This should make Swirling a hell of a lot easier.
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05 JB MCSc - Alta V2 15% pulley l Alta CAI l TCSportline exhaust l NGK Irridium colder plugs l M7 Ultimate Grills l LvS b/o headlamp rings
"IMALIMY"
90/10 all the way, That's the spirit! I hate airconditioning. Period.