MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

**lotsie** · #1 11-01-2007, 04:52 PM

I have had this Zanio All In One (AIO) sitting on my detailing shelves for a few months now. This week I started to use it. First on our BRGs, both are always clean, swirl free. The big thing I noticed was how white it made my roof, even after claying. I intend to put 3 coats of Zanio Show Car Polish on both MINIs tomorrow. Pics of them to follow.

Today I worked on a friends 03 Chili Red S that was, how do I put this, slightly neglected. Been about 2 years since any real detailing has been done, and washing has been done at a carwash. The paint had lots of swirls, and major grim in bedded in it.

I dawn washed, clayed for close to 2 hours, then applied the AIO, here are the results.

Mark

phaedrus · #2 11-01-2007, 05:03 PM

Your friend must have been happy about that!

**lotsie** · #3 11-01-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaedrus

Your friend must have been happy about that!

She was, and I got a big hug

She watched our cat back in August when we went to MITM, so I owed her.

Mark

MiniMaybee · #4 11-01-2007, 09:07 PM

Very nice lotsie. The new Zaino Z-CS is rather like the consistency of water, how thick is AIO? Did you use your RO to apply it?
I'd say she got the better end of the deal: IMHO Detailing > Cat-sitting.

rockridge · #5 11-02-2007, 05:00 AM

Looks very impressive!

Speedwing · #6 11-02-2007, 05:44 AM

Is that just the All-in-one or did you also use the Clear Sear and Grand Finale Spray?

Looking good!

**lotsie** · #7 11-02-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiniMaybee

Very nice lotsie. The new Zaino Z-CS is rather like the consistency of water, how thick is AIO? Did you use your RO to apply it?
I'd say she got the better end of the deal: IMHO Detailing > Cat-sitting.

The AIO is a cream, which I applied by hand to the whole car, let it sit for about 1/2 an hour, then buffed with my RO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedwing

Is that just the All-in-one or did you also use the Clear Sear and Grand Finale Spray?

Looking good!

Just the AIO, next will be 3 coats of Zaino Show Car Polish, with QD in between coats. Then the Clear Seal to finish off.

Mark

kyriian · #8 11-02-2007, 11:11 AM

that looks very good... i wonder if i can get them here now... DAM! i just did my winter zaino job, i guess i have to wait to try it out

Modnar · #9 11-02-2007, 02:26 PM

Man, I wish I was your friend too. That looks nice!

**lotsie** · #10 11-02-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modnar

Man, I wish I was your friend too. That looks nice!

We're all friends here on the Detailing forum

Mark

umberto · #11 11-02-2007, 08:27 PM

I used the Z-AIO a few months ago but did it backwards from you and also had great results: I applied it with the RO, let it dry, then removed by hand with the monster fluffies...makes mychili red seem richer...then topped it off with one coat of Z-5 pro and then 2 coats of Z-2pro.....although before the Z-AIO I used the Z-PC

**lotsie** · #12 11-03-2007, 08:29 AM

Today I'm putting 3 coats of Z-2 on my BRG, then top it with a coat of Clear seal. Why 3 coats you may ask, hard to mix less with the accelerator

and I can't do Lois's Cabrio as it is at the dealers, again

.

I refuse to even wash the dirty, swirly, 07 red cabrio loaner, that only has 600 miles on it, poor thing

Mark

**lotsie** · #13 11-03-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umberto

.....although before the Z-AIO I used the Z-PC

Is the Z-PC a more aggressive polish?

Mark

MiniMaybee · #14 11-03-2007, 10:27 PM

Z-PC is a diminishing abrasive sorta like ScratchX. I think Z-PC is a bit more aggressive than ScratchX, but a little lighter than Prima Swirl.

**lotsie** · #15 11-04-2007, 03:28 PM

Well I'm done my MINI

Sort of, still have to do the black trim with Black Wow, clean and detail interior, and the wheels. But the exterior paint is done. Still have to finish the Cabrio when we get it back

No Zanio here, but ya just got's ta show off under the bonnet

Not bad for a 93K miles, 03 old timer, eh
Mark

old81 · #16 11-04-2007, 03:36 PM

Mark,

Looks really good. Are you using a PC or the elbow method?

For an 03 it is in fine shape. What is wrong with the Cabrio or should I even ask?

I will be out in Central MO in at the end of the month, debating if I should subject my R56 to the red clay dirt roads of the Branson area. Thoughts?

**lotsie** · #17 11-04-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old81

Mark,

Looks really good. Are you using a PC or the elbow method?

For an 03 it is in fine shape. What is wrong with the Cabrio or should I even ask?

I will be out in Central MO in at the end of the month, debating if I should subject my R56 to the red clay dirt roads of the Branson area. Thoughts?

Thanks

I'm using both a RO/PC and grease from my elbow

The 05 Cabrio has not been doing great the last while, Body Control module went out, and the battery if funky, clutch went bad back in the spring, and the car is on it's third roof. It's in for the battery issue now, may be a dead short somewhere, bad starter solenoid, bad cell in the battery itself

:impatient

As to motoring on back roads, I used to motor ALOT on gravel roads, had some stone chips, and I had to wash a lot, but man it was fun, drifting with the e-brake, doing what these little FWD cars were breed to do

Here is what it looks like after a run in the muck

I say go for it, those roads are great

Mark

old81 · #18 11-06-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsie

Thanks

I'm using both a RO/PC and grease from my elbow

The 05 Cabrio has not been doing great the last while, Body Control module went out, and the battery if funky, clutch went bad back in the spring, and the car is on it's third roof. It's in for the battery issue now, may be a dead short somewhere, bad starter solenoid, bad cell in the battery itself

:impatient

As to motoring on back roads, I used to motor ALOT on gravel roads, had some stone chips, and I had to wash a lot, but man it was fun, drifting with the e-brake, doing what these little FWD cars were breed to do

Here is what it looks like after a run in the muck

I say go for it, those roads are great

Mark

Thanks good shot of the boot. Did your pup just take a whiz or perhaps a tall bear? (sniff, sniff).

Since I will have the 16s on the 07 and some good all-season tires, I may just take the MINI. It will be a toss up for gas cost, Jeep getting 17-18 @ $3.00+ per gallon or MINI getting 31-32 @ $3.45+ per gallon. I tend to drive at the upper limits, so I will never see 35-40 mpg with the MINI.

Sorry about the Cabrio, I hope it all turns out ok.

**lotsie** · #19 11-06-2007, 03:30 PM

old81, your not the first to make the whiz comment about the boot

. Ruby is a female, so she squats, and shoots low

Just rear wiper fluid.

Turns out it was a bad battery in the Cabrio, covered under warranty

, will pick her up in the morning.

Have fun out on those back roads

Mark

nixjosh2 · #20 11-06-2007, 05:23 PM

my mini has never been as dirty as it is now, which to some is not dirty, but with the damn GA water restrictions I don't know what to do. I really need to do my fall zaino detail damnit,
sorry, rant over,
after looking at all these clean minis and all:impatient

Rolling Stone · #21 11-06-2007, 06:17 PM

I'm the friend who was the recipient of Mark's generosity and hard labor. My poor Ruby (my car's name, not Mark's dog

) had been neglected for too long. Mark brought her back to life. Ruby motors like silk through the wind now. I believe my mpg has even improved.
Yes, I am damned lucky to have friends like Lois and Mark.

Eat your heart's out

. Actually, I was honored to take care of their cat and never expected anything more than a few purrs from Lizzie. But I am very grateful for the shine, very!!!

Thanks, Mark, for giving Ruby and I a new lease on our motoring life, plus making the dogs proud of their ride again.

Metta