MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

Sin MINI · #1 05-02-2009, 05:39 PM

I use Epic as my base coat. I hydro about every other wash, depending on how longs it's been since the previous Hydro'ing.

Question...When/how would Banana Gloss fit into this? I'm guessing that I'd BG every 4-6 weeks after a wash, hydro on the washes in between?
I need a couple of polishing pads, thinking about adding some BG to the order. But, I need the pads for next weekend and since BG can only ship by ground, I need to place the order ASAP. Quick responses wold be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

Doesnotcompute · #2 05-02-2009, 06:00 PM

For me, BG sits nicely between Epic and Hydro. I use Hydro every time I wash the car, BG only when I've stripped everything else off.

You really should order the BG, it's great stuff.

Sin MINI · #3 05-02-2009, 06:30 PM

That doesn't make sense to me. How often do you "strip everything off"? BG only lasts a few weeks...

Doesnotcompute · #4 05-02-2009, 06:35 PM

In So-Cal, most of the time my car is only dusty and not particularly dirty, therefore, I'll give it a quick wash and follow up with Hydro. This leaves the existing wax coating mostly untouched.

Less frequently, I'll do a heavy wash, with something like Dawn, in order to strip off the wax layers, in which case, Epic and BG are the order of the day.

You can tell whether there is wax left on the car by spraying it with water (or waiting for rain!) if the water beads into little balls, you have wax left on the car.

cadfael_tex · #5 05-02-2009, 06:46 PM

I only strip of when I'm ready to replace the Epic (usually spring and fall). I BG every month or two. I Hydro every wash or every other wash. Works for me

MiniMaybee · #6 05-02-2009, 06:47 PM

I'll do a coat of BG before a show or when I'm feeling the need to interact. Just as you wrote; Epic - twice/year, BG - 10 times/year and Hydro - 40 times/year.
The nice thing about BG is that besides the boost in depth it gives the finish, you can do it in full sun on the hottest day or in below freezing temps.

**lotsie** · #7 05-02-2009, 07:51 PM

First, soap, dawn or otherwise will not strip Epic. Alcohol is needed to strip it off.

When I do a full detail, clay, polish, wax, I don't bother to strip off the wax, as the whole process is going to get the old wax off. If I'm doing a touch-up to a small area, I use alcohol to clean off the wax first.

Keep this in mind also, Hydro last about 2 weeks at best, Banana Gloss 6 weeks at best. What wears these down beside rain, sun light, general wear and tear, is washing the car. So unless your going to do a full scale wax job every month, no need to strip things off, they are already gone. Now, if you do need to wax once a month, well it's time to switch to a long term wax, like Epic, or Zaino.

Mark

THE ITCH · #8 05-03-2009, 06:03 AM

IMHO every product will look a little different depending on the color of the car. Everyone has to decide for themselves what combination they believe to look best on their particular color. Experimentation is key here.
I use BG on my silver roof and think it looks great. However I do not like the effect that it gives to the Thunder Blue. To me it seems to take some depth away from that color. When I am going all in it is hard for me not to put a finish coat of Zano Grande Finale Z2. On Thunder Blue it just gives me the look I am after.
Steve

**OctaneGuy** · #9 05-03-2009, 07:23 AM

Don't forget it only takes one business day to get an order from California to you in Las Vegas by FedEx Residential..will take longer from Colorado.

I like to use BG for ever other wash. I will Epic once or twice a year, and BG once a month. Hydro can be used after each wash. If I BG, I won't do Hydro.

Remember that BG is carnauba based so it adds warmth by tinting your paint yellow..all carnauba's do this. If you want to prove it to yourself, do a tape line on your windshield, put BG or your carnauba wax on one side, wipe it off, remove the tape, and inspect the glass the next day. You will see a distinct yellow tint on the carnauba side.

BG is so easy to use, I can wash and BG my MINI in about 1 to 1.5 hrs.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sin MINI

I use Epic as my base coat. I hydro about every other wash, depending on how longs it's been since the previous Hydro'ing.

Question...When/how would Banana Gloss fit into this? I'm guessing that I'd BG every 4-6 weeks after a wash, hydro on the washes in between?
I need a couple of polishing pads, thinking about adding some BG to the order. But, I need the pads for next weekend and since BG can only ship by ground, I need to place the order ASAP. Quick responses wold be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!