[Exterminador]

I just got my 435i convertible about a month ago and haven't detailed it yet. Unfortunately they did the Cilajet in the dealer before I told them not to...

Does anyone know if claying the car will remove the Cilajet? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[OdinAutoDetailing]

Went through this with an Audi A4 recently...

First, to answer your question, no. Claying will definitely not remove it.

Second, when I tried calling Cilajet to get information from them directly, they didn't know much about the product. They seemed very reluctant because it's fully under warranty when I asked about polishing out swirls and rids (this car was a couple years old).

May I ask why you want to remove it right now?

[Exterminador]

I want to clay, Polish, seal and wax the car. I guess that I am just under the impression that I needed to do this. What do you think I should do? The car really doesn't need any correction. I just want to shine it and protect it to the max.

What do you think of cilajet itself?

[OdinAutoDetailing]

You should not need to do any of that. The cilajet replaces sealant/wax with a semi-permanent coating. If you would like a bit more shine, they told me that you can put a carnauba based finishing wax (not a cleaner wax or anything with abrasives in it) over the product, but it's not necessary (like most coating type products). I would imagine you could also throw on a quick detailer gloss enhancing spray like Chemical Guys V7 after a wash.

If it doesn't need any correction (which it shouldn't if they put it on as it's all under the product now), you should not need to clay or polish, as that would have already been done before application of the cilajet.

I can not say much about the product itself. I don't use it and can't tell you exactly what it is (as they wouldn't tell me). They describe it as a "proprietary polymer and acrylic formula." Which is basically what you would find in typical "sealant" products. Everyone has a different definition of "protection." Will it bead water for several years? Will it help protect the paint against marring? Is it chemically resistant to acids or bases? Don't know I do know the car that came in to me had a TON of swirls and scratches all over it, which I think their average customer is not concerned with? I couldn't even get a straight answer if they would warranty against that, because I wanted to paint correct the whole car (which would surely remove all the cilajet abrasively).

[Exterminador]

We're you able to correct the paint on that car?

[OdinAutoDetailing]

Originally Posted by Exterminador

We're you able to correct the paint on that car?

I'm sure I could have, but the client just ended up selling the car shortly afterwards.

[Exterminador]

Originally Posted by OdinAutoDetailing

I'm sure I could have, but the client just ended up selling the car shortly afterwards.

Do you think a Menzerna SF 4000 would remove the Cilajet?

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by Exterminador

Do you think a Menzerna SF 4000 would remove the Cilajet?

If its anything like opticoat yes, thats my polish of choice for BMW paint.

I would leave it on if the dealership did a good job and there are no swirls (but I doubt thats the case)

[OdinAutoDetailing]

Originally Posted by Exterminador

Do you think a Menzerna SF 4000 would remove the Cilajet?

I think just about anything abrasive on a machine would remove it. Yes.

[Exterminador]

Originally Posted by smithe90

If its anything like opticoat yes, thats my polish of choice for BMW paint.

I would leave it on if the dealership did a good job and there are no swirls (but I doubt thats the case)

It really doesn't have any swirls but I want to put the paint in optimum shape.

Should I clay the paint before polishing? Will this do anything?

What would you recommend I do in order?

[OdinAutoDetailing]

I probably wouldn't do anything if it's in good shape. Maybe give it a quick wash and top up with a finishing wax.