MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

Mini_Chan · #1 05-03-2007, 09:46 PM

What are the necessities needed for washing my car? I'm not all into the detailing so I wouldn't be spending alot of money for products. I've seen alot of people raving about Prima Clarity and Prima Hydro, but I don't know what kind of car wash soap is good. I was planning to get the Mr Clean carwash kit because it is fast and simple. Since I got my car I've taken it to a car wash once, but I don't plan on doing that in the summer, so any suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks in advance

AstroCoop · #2 05-03-2007, 10:29 PM

www.griotsgarage.com
This is where I get my products from. The quick spray on wax and wipe off is a must! It gets the water spots left over off and keeps a shine!

MLPearson79 · #3 05-03-2007, 10:59 PM

The general bandwagon here is Prima products. You can get them at www.detailersparadise.com. There is an entire line of alllllmost everything you could possibly need. The Paradise microfiber products are also top-notch.

kenchan · #4 05-03-2007, 11:42 PM

im using most of the griot's system myself.

for commuters though, i highly recommend you use Prima Hydro as your
primary wax and wipe-off detailer spray. griot's sprayon wax is great but
it requires a final dry buff. Hydro does not. much quicker.

so a decent sized (5 gal) wash bucket with gritguard, a decent car soap like
griot's CarWash (or Prima Mystique), waffle weave drying MF towels, Hydro
and Clarity bundle (comes with glass MF towel) should do the trick.

if it's your daily driver, seriously... skip the wax. just Hydro after each
wash. that is by far the fastest and extremely durable protection you'll
ever need.

you'll get weeks of protection with Hydro.

Mini_Chan · #5 05-03-2007, 11:47 PM

quick question about the prima mystique is it ph balanced? my friends tell me that a ph balanced carwash is better for the paint. so just wondering

Mini_Chan · #6 05-04-2007, 12:05 AM

i was checking the detailers paradise website and i noticed that they don't offer the 3 pack of monster fluffy. also when are they coming out with some more monster fluffy max?

kenchan · #7 05-04-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini_Chan

i was checking the detailers paradise website and i noticed that they don't offer the 3 pack of monster fluffy. also when are they coming out with some more monster fluffy max?

you said you weren't really into detailing so you probably dont need 3
monster fluffy's... MF towels are all different, so what you probably
want to get first is a decent drying MF waffle weave MF towel. if your
car is a daily driver QD-ing it often can introduce more swirls....just
wash it. but if you insist on QD-ing, you should get the DP Platinum MF
towels. i use that most often... it's a GREAT towel.

and get some PrimaSlick.
it's very slippery (much more lubricity than griot's Speedshine...side effect is
that it's shiny).

mcdbrendan · #8 05-04-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

you said you weren't really into detailing so you probably dont need 3
monster fluffy's... MF towels are all different, so what you probably
want to get first is a decent drying MF waffle weave MF towel. if your
car is a daily driver QD-ing it often can introduce more swirls....just
wash it. but if you insist on QD-ing, you should get the DP Platinum MF
towels. i use that most often... it's a GREAT towel.

and get some PrimaSlick.
it's very slippery (much more lubricity than griot's Speedshine...side effect is
that it's shiny).

Who said shiny is a side effect?!?!?

kenchan · #9 05-04-2007, 07:20 AM

Mcd- not all side effects are necessarily bad. Whether shiny is good or not is to be determined by the user.

To me, surface shiny is not good, deep gloss is what I'm after.

Mini_Chan · #10 05-04-2007, 06:55 PM

Kenchan, you mentioned above that I need a grit guard. Do you know where i can buy that in any store like target, walmart, etc. I've been searching online and I see that autobarn has them but the dolly package is $50, just wondering can I get it cheaper anywhere else?

Thanks in advance

kenchan · #11 05-04-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini_Chan

Kenchan, you mentioned above that I need a grit guard. Do you know where i can buy that in any store like target, walmart, etc. I've been searching online and I see that autobarn has them but the dolly package is $50, just wondering can I get it cheaper anywhere else?

Thanks in advance

ive seen them occassionally at auto parts stores.

i use a griot's wash
bucket so mine was already built-in. Griot's is releasing their next gen
wash bucket (red one) real soon. it has dual grills, a built-in measuring
cup, and comes with lid and casters. it's got everything you'll ever need!

and only $40.

it's a steal.

at7815 · #12 05-05-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini_Chan

Kenchan, you mentioned above that I need a grit guard. Do you know where i can buy that in any store like target, walmart, etc. I've been searching online and I see that autobarn has them but the dolly package is $50, just wondering can I get it cheaper anywhere else?

I just ordered a grit guard for a little over $7 and it will fit a regular bucket that you can buy at Lowes or anywhere really for under $6. Here's the link -

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=25277

Mini_Chan · #13 05-07-2007, 10:50 PM

Kenchan the bucket you mentioned looked really nice, but I think the $7 grit guard would be much easier. Thanks at7815, I couldn't find one as cheap as that.

at7815 · #14 05-08-2007, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini_Chan

Kenchan the bucket you mentioned looked really nice, but I think the $7 grit guard would be much easier. Thanks at7815, I couldn't find one as cheap as that.

Your welcome! I found it after doing a google search for it since I was looking for a cheaper alternative...

Jeremy1026 · #15 05-04-2007, 07:01 PM

About car wash soap. I just bought a big ole' jug of Meguirs Gold Class Soap or something, it is very nice. Very nice lubriciocity (not a word but whatever.) And cheap, $5 for aabout 6month supply (I was weekly or twice a week.) The Mr. Clean thing is nice, but I don't like the soap in it, and it cuts back on the spray power too much for my liking.

Mini_Chan · #16 05-04-2007, 07:14 PM

Just placed an order in DP. Now I need to get me a grit guard thing. And I should be able to wash my car after finals

Thanks for all the help

kenchan · #17 05-08-2007, 12:24 PM

yah, i suppose you can put them on a dolly or something later on too....

**OctaneGuy** · #18 05-08-2007, 12:42 PM

For future reference, I sell the Dirt Guards which include a mesh at the bottom to catch and hold debris. It offers more security over the Grit Guard. At that US plastics price, you might want two Grit Guards to give you a bit more protection and distance from the bottom of the bucket.

https://www.showcardetailing.com/esh...sp?id=65&bc=no

Mini_Chan · #19 05-08-2007, 01:14 PM

If I ever lose my grit guard, I might get that one too. Thanks!