My R57 is but a week old, and came from the dealer with a pretty decent shine. I'm intrigued by clay kits, but would using clay at this juncture be premature? In other words, does clay solve a problem I do not yet have?

Thanks!

 

Don't, it doesn't need it. You really won't need to clay for a while and you would just be wasting your time with it. If you are that intrigued, ask a neighbor if you can clay their car. Get a good wax and give it a nice shine!

 

I would suggest washing the car and then feel the paint for tiny bumps. If you feel the bumps, clay bar it and then put on a good coat of wax. I claybar'd my 2011 Mini the day I got it.

 

+1 - after you wash, put your hand inside a sandwich bag and run it over the paint. It if drags a bunch, you can clay it. If not, just wait a few months.

 

Maybe it's just me but when I picked up my MINI I wanted to make sure it had a perfect finish, I clayed it the first weekend I had it. It would of bothered me if I hadn't, who knows what terrible things were on the finish that a regular wash wouldn't take off!

 

I would clay it regardless. It is easy to do. It will remove any contaminants that might be on the paint and it preps the surface for a good tech wax followed by paste wax.

 

Guess I am in the minority here... Go for it!