We just got our MINI a week ago and had a clear bra put on Friday now I'm ready to put on some paint sealant or some Best of Show wax. But I'm kinda in a holding pattern because I am waiting for the Paint Prep to make it here from Griots (supposed to arrive in 5 to 10 days). Well I have some time on my hands this coming weekend and would love to get some wax on it. So my question is should I wait for the paint prep to get here or could I put on the wax without it since it is a new car? Also should I clay before I put the wax on. The paint feels very smooth to the touch. Thanks in advance.

 

Can't speak for the Griots stuff, but you really should clay before putting on any kind of sealant. Buy a bar, clay a 1 foot square, and you WILL feel a difference

Mark

 

I have clayed before and to be honest this paint feels very smooth to the touch. It is brand new and has been washed and hasn't really seen any harsh weather since we bought it. I don't what kind of wrap if any that MINI puts on them to protect it during its boat ride but it seemed to help.

Also I just clayed a small section and then quick detailed the section right next to it and both sections felt smooth as glass. So I dont know?

 

SixspeedJ,

WITHOUT a doubt you should give your baby a nice wash and then clay her! Once that is done you can progress. Claying makes sure that the contaminants are gone and that you are not sealing them in with your last step product (sealant/wax). It can be done in literally minutes and even though you may not see the difference, your car will thank you for it!

 

A good compromise would be to spot clay. Check around areas that tend to need claying most (roof, bonnet, and especially boot) and do the areas that need it. A new car will often pick up contaminants like rail dust from being shipped by train in the UK, or from being shipped by truck once getting to the US.

 

I think I will clay bar the whole car just to be safe. It shouldn't take to much time considering how small the MINI is and the wife should be helping.

 

you're in Ohio, right? they ship from indiana warehouse so you'll probably get your paintprep like today/tomorrow.

that's another thing i like about Griot's. they ship FAST~! i order before 3pm and it's here the next day usually.

and yah, you should probably wait until the paint prep comes regardless of wax or sealant you use. dealer puts on some kind of protectant during delivery.

 

Cool that was the answer I was looking for! Thanks also to everyone who replied as well.

 

hey sixspeed - how'd everything go? any update? picts?

 

How long before you can wax??

When I was an OCD MB owner and belonged to the MBUSA Owner's Club, I recall a tech rep explaining that fresh paint should not be waxed for 30 days. Since there isn't a CHANCE of getting a MINI within 30 days of it's paint being applied at the factory, I'd say you can wax any MINI in the US as soon as you get it.

HTH.

 

modern car paints are baked at the factory so you can wax it right away. unless you had aero kit locally painted by the dealer and installed... in that case you might want to give it a month or so before you wax the aero bumpers.

 

Try putting a baggie over your hand, and feeling the paint again. I cannot explain why it works, but it definitely does. It is far easier to detect a 'rough' surface through a baggie than with bare skin. Go figure.

 

Everything went great. The car looks beautiful and it has such a great shine. I will try to post a pick up a little later.

 

Here is some pics. I am not sure they show any great depth or quality but I tried. Maybe somebody could tell me how to take a better photo to show those qualities. Also I have a cheap camera so keep that in mind as well.

 

Those are pretty good shots, considerting they're from a "cheap" camera. Nice reflection you have there !

One thing I've learned about taking pics of my CR MINI... if you get the sun at the wrong angle, your Chili Red MINI will look more like Chili Orange. Note the difference in these two pics:





Both taken in direct sunlight, with the same camera. One is very orangish, the other only has hints of orange.

I've found the best photos of CR paint come when there is some cloud cover or a hazy day filtering the sunlight, like there was in this pic: FWIW.

 

looking good sixspeed!

... and CR&PW&JB...

 

What... you like my Chili Orange MINI ??

 

you should put a "01" ball on the door.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I was just going to add the same advice. The "baggie test" trick is great for getting the most accurate gauge on whether or not you have to clay.

And, as MLPearson mentioned, spot claying can be enough in some cases. I recall a customer's MINI that was just picked up from the dealer... even with the baggie test it was perfectly smooth everywhere, except for the side mirrors which were just coated in who knows what. They desperately needed to be clayed.

-Heather

 

I will keep the baggie trick in mind next time.