MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

Rixter · #1 05-03-2009, 10:26 PM

Well with some good advice from OG and CR&PW&JB I managed to get Spike groomed.

I started with a wash. I think I'm going to switch from lambswool mit to MF for future washes.

Followed with Mcguire's QuickDetailer and claybar. Only needed a bit since the car is only 3 months old with less than a 1000 miles. I found I really need to go liberal with the QD. I used 1/2 a bottle. There were a couple of spots near the rear plate that looked like I might have rubbed the clay in a 'dry-patch'.

Dried Spike off.

Applied Epic. Since this was the first time, I didn't really know how thin it should be. I was afraid if I spread it too thin I might damage the paint in the process. Any tips would be appreciated. I was using the thin blue MF applicator pads from DP.

3 days later I got all the Epic off. Spike was parked in the closed garage the whole time. I've been watching the NHL playoffs as well as studying for my Level 2 First-Aid, so time was a premium.

Banana Gloss went like a charm. I'm wondering if the Epic should be as thin

Next day BG came off incredibly easy.

Finally finished with Hydro. That took all of 20 minutes.

Spike looks, he's even got a proud air about him

Too bad Spike rarely gets out in the good weather. It seams whenever it's sunny I'm on my bike, and when it's wet, I let Spike out for a run. So he really only gets the fowl weather. Poor thing.

My 1991 318is got the same treatment. One upside though is that when traded it in for my MCS it only had 48000 miles on it.

Here he is...

kenchan · #2 05-04-2009, 08:24 AM

looks nice. i thought for a second you were the one with the fuzzy M7 STB and you decided to shave it.

Rixter · #3 05-04-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

looks nice. i thought for a second you were the one with the fuzzy M7 STB and you decided to shave it.

That's a good one

. I was debating an M7 STB but I've held off for now.

Rixter · #4 05-04-2009, 09:51 AM

One thing I noticed, after applying the Hydro I found that the the finish didn't look as good as it did after Epic/BG. I was just spritzing on and wiping off wiith a damp cloth. Is this the best technique for applying Hydro?

When I spoke with DP about applying Hydro they recommended doing it to a dry car so as not to dilute the product too much.

Doesnotcompute · #5 05-04-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rixter

One thing I noticed, after applying the Hydro I found that the the finish didn't look as good as it did after Epic/BG. I was just spritzing on and wiping off wiith a damp cloth.

Personally, I use a dry Starfish Mitt for applying Hydro.

CR&PW&JB · #6 05-04-2009, 10:22 AM

Great results, Rixter !

Banana Gloss LOVES dark colors.

And hey, no need to dampen your cloth when using Hydro. You can spritz it on after a wash and dry the car as normal, or when using it as a QD agent, just use a dry mf cloth.

Personally, for QDing, I use Griot's Speed Shine. It also loves dark colors like CR.

Again, very nice job. Get yourself a PC buffer in the near future. You will NOT regret it. Best investment for my cars I've ever made.

BTW, glad you can't see my JB MCSC right about now... three days of rain at MOTD, several trips up and down the Dragon, and a 400+ mile trip back in continuous rain... yikes !

Rixter · #7 05-04-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB

Great results, Rixter !

Banana Gloss LOVES dark colors.

And hey, no need to dampen your cloth when using Hydro. You can spritz it on after a wash and dry the car as normal, or when using it as a QD agent, just use a dry mf cloth.

Personally, for QDing, I use Griot's Speed Shine. It also loves dark colors like CR.

Again, very nice job. Get yourself a PC buffer in the near future. You will NOT regret it. Best investment for my cars I've ever made.

BTW, glad you can't see my JB MCSC right about now... three days of rain at MOTD, several trips up and down the Dragon, and a 400+ mile trip back in continuous rain... yikes !

Thanks for the props. Maybe I can make the PC a Father's Day gift idea

400+ miles in the rain. Poor thing. You need to treat him to some TLC

Rixter · #8 05-04-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doesnotcompute

Personally, I use a dry Starfish Mitt for applying Hydro.

That's a funky looking mitt. So is your Mini already dry, then you apply Hydro, then wipe off with the dry mitt?

**lotsie** · #9 05-04-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rixter

That's a funky looking mitt. So is your Mini already dry, then you apply Hydro, then wipe off with the dry mitt?

Yes, you can use Hydro as a quick detailer on a dry car. I only use Hydro after I have rinsed off the car, and it is still wet. I use a waffle weave to spread it around and get most of the water off. Then I use a Monster Fluffy MF to get the rest of the water off and buff.

Ditto on the Random orbiter, best investment you can make

Mark

CR&PW&JB · #10 05-04-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rixter

Thanks for the props. Maybe I can make the PC a Father's Day gift idea

400+ miles in the rain. Poor thing. You need to treat him to some TLC

I planned to do that. Problem: It's been raining here all day. And I have to get back to the office tomorrow. Might not get his much-needed TLC until the weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rixter

That's a funky looking mitt. So is your Mini already dry, then you apply Hydro, then wipe off with the dry mitt?

Yep... that's right. The starfish mitt is nice. It's thin enough to get into the tough spots but thick and soft enough to give you the confidence your paint will remain as swirl-free as possible.

Doesnotcompute · #11 05-04-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rixter

That's a funky looking mitt. So is your Mini already dry, then you apply Hydro, then wipe off with the dry mitt?

It's 'mostly' dry. I use a waffle weave towel to get most of the water off, then spritz with hydro and use the starfish mitt to push it around and pick up any remaining water.

Here's what I did yesterday.

Rixter · #12 05-04-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doesnotcompute

It's 'mostly' dry. I use a waffle weave towel to get most of the water off, then spritz with hydro and use the starfish mitt to push it around and pick up any remaining water.

Here's what I did yesterday.

That's a great look. I'm going to have to try that Amigo sometime.