Last Sat. I was buying some MINI accessories, and during a chat with the parts guy heard two controversial things:

1. He said I shouldn't wax my new MCS for 6 months because the paint has to cure and finish bonding to the car. I thought this applied to older technology and didn't apply to MINIs because they're baked at the factory. Is there any point in waiting so long?

2. He said when I do finally wax, I should buy the official MINI two-step (polish & wax) stuff because it contains protectants that guard against UV damage. Don't pretty much all commercially available products (e.g., Maguires, etc.) have UV protection?

Any thoughts on the above? Thanks!
Steve

 

No, you do not need to wait. Many dealers wax your MINI before they deliver it to you. You are right in that the paint is baked and already fully cured.

And yes, most waxes have some form of UV protection. The parts guy just wants to you buy his stuff I guess.

 

^ +1

they bake the paint after the paint booth. no need to wait, especially
not 6months.

it's harder to find waxes that don't have UV protection these days...

 

Clear coat has it too, and I think all waxes have some of it.

Yeah, you should wash, claybar, wax for protection.

 

6 months! I thought even the old recommendation was just 30 days, and it takes our MINIs that long to get here by boat anyway.

 

Thanks for the replies. I suspected as much about the parts guy being misinformed.

I hope to wax my MCS for the first time this weekend unless it snows.

 

You do not have to wait. In mass production, cars paint is 9.95/10 baked to cure. I wouldnt polish for 6 months, but waxing is definately a go! About the wax, you can go in a thousand directions. For an over the counter wax, look at Meguiars NXT or if you like ordering online, I like for lighter hues, Pinnacle Signature Series, and Nattys Blue.

Ifyou want to lean towards more protection, go for Collinite Marque D Excellence Wax. VERY durable carnuba paste and great wet look.

http://autogeek.net/pisisepawax.html
http://autogeek.net/carnauba-car-wax.html
http://autogeek.net/collinite-marque-wax-915.html


edit: read that its snowing, go for the collinite.


-Ryan M