Clear Coat Warning
#1
Clear Coat Warning
I wanted to warn folks not to get too close to the finish of your Mini with those power wash nozzles at do it yourself car washes. I was trying to get some dried on bugs off the front of my Mini after a cross country trip, and got quite close. It took the clear coat off a good section of the front end. Very stupid and very upsetting when I realized what I had done.
#2
Holy cow that was some powerful car washer !
You can use WD40 for those bugs next time. Dab it on with a rag let it stand for a minute then wipe off. Maguires auto polish dabbed on with same method letting it sit will work too, especially for decal glue...
Could be an Auto body shop may just do some sanding and re-spray of clear to fix that...
You can use WD40 for those bugs next time. Dab it on with a rag let it stand for a minute then wipe off. Maguires auto polish dabbed on with same method letting it sit will work too, especially for decal glue...
Could be an Auto body shop may just do some sanding and re-spray of clear to fix that...
#3
You probably had a chip in the area that you were trying to remove the bug guts which allowed the high pressure water get under the clear and once that happens there is no stopping it, Grey is correct never use high pressure to remove deposits on paint, there are many ways to do that without damaging the paint.
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That isn't normal. I would place more of the blame on a defective paint job. In fact, if the car is still under warranty, I would try to get it covered.
Those self service wash bays with spray wands are the usual way I wash my MINI, and my 2006 R52 has gone through at least a couple of hundred washes without a problem. In my experience, those wands are not industrial high pressure (like pressure washes used for sidewalks) and not so much different from what you might get from a touchless automated wash, or maybe even driving in the rain at 60 mph.
Those self service wash bays with spray wands are the usual way I wash my MINI, and my 2006 R52 has gone through at least a couple of hundred washes without a problem. In my experience, those wands are not industrial high pressure (like pressure washes used for sidewalks) and not so much different from what you might get from a touchless automated wash, or maybe even driving in the rain at 60 mph.
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#9
I was just a couple of inches away from the paint though at this point. And it did seem very strong. Mini has a warning in the manual you get with your Mini about high pressure hoses so I think they have covered themselves, but it doesn't hurt to try. I've had the car almost 4 years so doubt there is any warranty at this point.
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Onetip....bumpers are so easy to remove, you might be able to carry it into a bodyshop and get it fixed for just a bit....save the unmounting/remounting $$$.
A wetsand blend and rattle can of clear coat might work....on a cool day,no dust/pollen....like a garage with a wetted floor.....depends on how high your standards ate for cosmetics...
A wetsand blend and rattle can of clear coat might work....on a cool day,no dust/pollen....like a garage with a wetted floor.....depends on how high your standards ate for cosmetics...
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#21
LOL, I read it someplace else to be honest and it thought I would give it a shot. I pulled the Mrs out of the stockings first... I'm not that kinky.
#22
Update on Paint Damage
Just an update, especially to EagleBeagle who also had paint damage from a car wash wand, I got an estimate to fix the front bumper from my body shop. $672! It's not just a matter of removing and reapplying the clear coat. So I was quite depressed but the body shop owner said that this type of damage should not occur on original factory paint. He said they use high pressure washers on cars they fix....shouldn't be a problem. I contacted my service rep at Mini and he had me bring the car in when a rep from Mini was there to look at the damage. Bottom line: Mini is going to cover the damage even though my car is 4 years old and is out of original warranty. I can also have the damage fixed at my local body shop which is great because I live over 50 miles from the Mini dealer. So EagleBeagle, you should take your car into your Mini dealer but call or e-mail first so you can come in when a Mini rep is there.
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I'm not too sure but I'm assuming it's a paint warranty issue. The car's regular warranty expired a year ago. My service rep indicated that basically it was a no brainer as to being covered. They just wanted to make sure that area had never been in an accident and it was original factory paint.