How soon did you clay your MINI?

lawnboy · #1 03-23-2009, 04:24 AM

Every vehicle I have ever purchased new, even with the typical prep/delivery, I have always put it through my detailing process which begins with clay.

How soon did you clay your MINI?

CR&PW&JB · #2 03-23-2009, 04:58 AM

Four months... the first time I do a major detailing (pc buffer, polish, the whole nine yards).

If your dealer has handled your MINI in a way that requires you to clay immediately, give them a piece of your mind and then switch dealerships (if there's another reasonably close).

They might induce a few minor swirls in delivery prep, but enough contaminants that require you to clay ?

MiniMaybee · #3 03-23-2009, 07:17 AM

Picked mine up on a Wednesday, clayed and waxed the next Saturday. Not only can the dealer do things (like put on crap wax) but the transportation of the car from England can bond contaminates to the paint.
So I clayed and put on a good wax, got some remaining Cosmoline off and waxed the glass and wheels.

CR&PW&JB · #4 03-23-2009, 07:43 AM

Hey, Chuck... are you trying to tell me that MINI does not use that shrink-wrap stuff when MINIs leave the factory ? Hell, even Ford does that.

MiniMaybee · #5 03-23-2009, 07:51 AM

Shrink wrap & Cosmoline across the ocean. But from the VDC to your dealer? Don't know. What I'm saying is that you have ruined your MINIs and all three will fall apart because you failed to clay them soon enough.

No I guess what I'm really saying is that I'm sick and I need help.

CR&PW&JB · #6 03-23-2009, 07:54 AM

I'm slightly sick.

You... seek therepy.

Now.

CR&PW&JB · #7 03-23-2009, 07:55 AM

And BTW, I must have been lucky. Very little cosomoline to clean up on our two MINIs when they were delivered.

MLPearson79 · #8 03-23-2009, 09:50 AM

I did the same as Chuck...I got Clara on a Thursday, and did a full strip-down and detail that Saturday.

MiniMaybee · #9 03-23-2009, 10:43 AM

Perhaps we can get a group rate at the OCD psychologist Mel.

kenchan · #10 03-23-2009, 10:50 AM

wat is this 'clay' you all talk about?

is this something i put inside the HVAC?

tgs91 · #11 03-23-2009, 02:47 PM

I would Clay Bar first oppty. Reason- remove any sea salt or brake dust from your paint from shipment. Sea Salt from transport from england and rail brake dust from transport to your dealer.

Happy Detailing!

tgs91 · #12 03-23-2009, 02:48 PM

And count me in on the OCD group rates. I got it baddddddd

kenchan · #13 03-23-2009, 03:01 PM

so it's not an air freshner?

Jughead · #14 03-23-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

so it's not an air freshner?

Close... Think Mr. Bill.

lotsie · #15 03-23-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

wat is this 'clay' you all talk about?

is this something i put inside the HVAC?

No, it's for patching holes in your walls.

Mark

**OctaneGuy** · #16 03-23-2009, 03:31 PM

Is this really Kenchan or somebody impersonating him?

You can clay the day you bring your car home, or years later. It doesn't really matter, except if you plan to wax your car, you should most definitely clay before waxing, and IMO, everyone should most definitely wax their car as soon as or shortly after they bring it home from the dealer.

I got a customer who is purchasing an M3 this week, and wants me to clay/polish/wax his paint the minute he brings it home...I do all of his cars..he's a nut too, lol.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

so it's not an air freshner?

**OctaneGuy** · #17 03-23-2009, 03:32 PM

Wait, isn't it that magical stuff you see on late night TV that mends pipes and holds hose reels to your wall just by kneading it?????

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsie

No, it's for patching holes in your walls.

Mark

lotsie · #18 03-23-2009, 03:52 PM

Can I use the clay I dig up in my garden

Mark

CR&PW&JB · #19 03-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsie

Can I use the clay I dig up in my garden

Mark

Sure, Mark... just make sure you use Prima Cut afterwards. On the orange pad. Go over the MINI three times.

lawnboy · #20 03-23-2009, 06:55 PM

That was actually my plan

My routine consists of Clay => All in One (AIO) => Wet Glaze => Ultimate Paint Protection (UPP)

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

You can clay the day you bring your car home,

lawnboy · #21 03-23-2009, 06:57 PM

Anyone had clearshield applied? Getting that done the next day and curious how they typically prep (if anything) the finish before applying it or is I should follow my detailing plan.

CR&PW&JB · #22 03-23-2009, 07:11 PM

When I had my clearbra installed, I was sure to clay the bonnet and bumper the day before it was installed.

The installer used a wax-stripping spray before he installed the film, too.

As soon as I got home, I waxed the film.

lawnboy · #23 03-23-2009, 07:16 PM

Good to know...so going forward after that point, you just wax the film covered areas when you detail your MINI?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB

When I had my clearbra installed, I was sure to clay the bonnet and bumper the day before it was installed.

The installer used a wax-stripping spray before he installed the film, too.

As soon as I got home, I waxed the film.

CR&PW&JB · #24 03-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Treat it just like your paint. Clay it, polish it, wax it. And of course, don't forget to WASH it.

MLPearson79 · #25 03-23-2009, 07:50 PM

I clayed before film also. BUT, my installer asked me not to wax for I think it was 10 days after the application...I didn't really see the point (aside from off-gassing, I guess), but I obeyed and rewaxed after that.