Heya guys, I'm new to all this detailing and decided to give it a go with an older car before the new Clubman arrives. Anyways, went to the local auto store(yes yes, I'll get the good stuff for the Mini-probably a kit from one of the NAM retailers) and got some MF towels, a MF mitt and Meguiar's clay bar kit. In the kit, they included an MF towel, the clay bars, a lubricant and a small bottle of wax. I washed the car and dried it with an absorber towel. I then proceeded to clay some yellowing on the lower side of the door panel. I'm guessing these were rust particles from the brakes? Anyways, they came off and the one panel I did was as white as when I first bought it. Only downside is, it took me 2 hours to do just the driver side door. There's still a ton of claying to do, but I had no time to complete. Does it usually take this long? Or is it because I have an untouched 12 year old car being clayed for the first time? I'm hoping to wash the car down again and carry on claying other parts for the next 3 weeks. The 4th week will be a complete reclaying and waxing. I also noted that the rub marks from when another car skimmed my car's body(looks like rubber burn marks) came off some, but not entirely. Gonna try WD-40 on those parts this weekend and claying them again.

Another question is, is there a difference between new and old cars? I'm assuming the new car won't need as much claying but does it come with factory applied wax? Do I just dawn wash the new car when it first arrives, clay and rewax before polishing? I've read the sticky about detailing but all the Z's are confusing and not sure if they apply to brand new or owned-for-a-while cars.

 

It depends on the car. If your older car had never been clayed, it probably needed a lot of work! So I can see how it would take awhile, although I do think 2 hours for one panel is a lot. But if it's working, then whatever.

I can general clay my MINI in an hour or two, and that's slow for most here. With the PW, I feel like I can see every little spec in the paint, so that's why it takes me so long. I think most here say they can clay their car in around half an hour to an hour.

Your new Clubbie will probably come with some cheap-o wax applied from the dealer. If I were you, I'd strip that crap off with a good Dawn wash, clay, and put some real wax on