It's been a tough winter on the Mini here in rural Vermont. Salt, stone chips, chunks of ice sliding off the roof leaving scratches behind. And the sides of my LY Mini Cooper are just covered with crud. But as bad as it got, it never fails to amaze me how well clay works at removing crud!

So the paint is perfectly clean now. The sides and bonnet have been polished and will get waxed next weekend. The lid still needs some scratches buffed out. But my little Mini will soon be perfect again! The winter tires have been stored in the garage and the Eagle F1 GSD3s have been put on. The snow and ice is gone, as is the mud. The trees are beginning to leaf out and the twisty road thru Smuggler's Notch is open to traffic.

Live is good!

Pete

 

I know the feeling I just clayed, waxed and polished mine yesterday. We had a water ban over here in the UK for the month of April so I wasn't able to wash my Mini for a month! Luckily I work out of the house so I don't have to do that much driving, unless I want to!

 

I plan on completing my first claybar adventure next weekend. Do you recommend a certain kit and/or do you have any tips on getting the job done well?

Glad to hear your Mini is in Summer shape

 

I used the "Clay Magic" brand clay bar and spray lubricant. I haven't used any other so I can't make a comparison. I am sure that most of the reputable companies all have similar products and as long as you buy a brand name you will probably do just fine. I was amazed at how easy and quick it is but you do need to come back right after claying and at least wax the car right away if not wax and polish so that makes for several hours worth of work but it is worth it it in the end. Remember to continually stretch out and kneed the clay so you are always wiping with a clean clay surface.

 

Ah, this is definitely getting me in the mood to undertake the same little chore myself. Thanks for sharing...I needed the inspiration.

 

I just got done doing a good washing on mine as well as a good coat of polish. Plan on putting another coat or 2 on tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

 

I like the Griot's clay used with their speed shine. The Griot's clay is a bit softer and easier to use than the Mother's and some other brand I used before...and the speed shine stays wet for a long time and is pretty slippery. But I haven't tried all the brands out there, so others might have differing opinions.

Two pointers: the clay gets pretty slick and your hands get pretty tired. If you drop the clay on a dirty garage floor it's toast. So I sit cross-legged and work directly in front of myself. That way, if I drop it the clay falls right in my lap and stays clean.

The other thing is use clay in good light. Not daylight. Ummm, have a clean damp cloth handy; I use one of my microfiber drying towels. When I think an area is clean I wipe it, then look closely. If I missed anything, I apply more speed shine and continue claying.

Oh yeah, have your favorite beverage handy!

 

Another tip is to tear your clay bar into small silver dollar sized wafers. Use one side until it is dirty, flip over and use the other side. Then throw away when done. Avoid folding the dirty side in thinking you will get a clean area. Eventually debris could work its way to the surface again and cause horrible results.

Also, dropping a small piece of clay on the ground is better than dropping the whole bar.

 

I too did mine two weekends ago, and put down 2 Z5 coats and one Z2. Was gonna put another couple of Z2's down last weekend, but got lazy. Will do again a few times before MoT tho'! It was nice to see the MINI shining again for sure!

 

I use Mother's, but Zaino is the absolute BEST!