major details- clay or bust?

[MINIFVR]

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?

[200-OK]

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

[ScottRiqui]

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.

[MINIFVR]

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.

[ScottRiqui]

That's right - clay only removes contaminants from the surface of the paint. It doesn't actually remove paint.

[mini44]

The clay doesn't get used up if the car doesn't need it. It just glides over and stays clean. Feel your car before polishing and feel if it needs it.