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I just got my MINI a couple weeks ago, and I haven't washed it yet, with soap, etc. anway. Rinsed it off once.
Anyway, I never took proper care of the truck I had prior to owning my MINI, went a whole year I bet without washing it, or longer. Anyway, I certainly don't plan on doing that with the MINI. I'd like to wash it maybe once a week, on one of my days off.
I would just like some suggestions on what to buy, 2 buckets, a sponge, one of those wands with the soft, car-wash style bristles, or what? I'd prefer to just get the stuff at Discount/Advanced Auto, or Wal-Mart or something of the like.
Just need a parts list, and basic how to =) Since I'm new to the whole, having a nice car, and treating it properly thing =)
may be more than your into. Personally, I have a guy that does mine once a week for $15.00 and does a GOOD job. Easier for me as I don't have the time to really do it. I would rather be out driving.
You need a bucket, car wash shampoo, a cotton chenille mit, and a source of water to wash with. Drying is even more tricky, though...for this you need one Absorber (to blot water up) and a set (large and small) of some good quality waffleweave microfiber drying towels.
These are the basics, you can add on if you want from there if you want. This is what I use for every single wash. At my local favorite coin-op car wash it costs me $1 to do a perfect wash my car (.50 to wet, .50 to rinse) and about 1.25 - 1.5 hours to both wash and dry.
You can get extra towels sets if you want, but if you go w/ supplies like these up front you'll save money/frustration/scratches from using something less. Beware of what you might find around locally...check carefully. In the end some of this stuff won't work very well and you'll just waste your money. I wonder sometimes why they even bother to put it on the shelf.
Glad to hear you want to take care of your MINI! It will thank you...
Some products you might consider:
2 buckets, as you mentioned
A few wash mits (you can probably find this at walmart, they're also easily obtained online)
A great car wash that is readily available is Meguire's Gold Class car wash.
You'll also find waxes and polishes - get these too! People love Meguire's NXT wax. The process for polishing your paint when it gets scratched goes like this: Wash, polish, wax. If you REALLY want to get into it, the process goes 1 billion times longer than that.
Some clean cotton towels for drying and polishing and waxing. I'd stay away from the microfiber towels available at walmart or other auto stores (bad experience).
A gentle wheel cleaner.
A glass cleaner without ammonia if you ever plan on tinting your windows.
Lots of people hate Amor-all because if some of the ingredients, but you're starting out and can make those decisions as you try things.
Carpet cleaner/protectant.
Basic process:
Fill up two buckets, one with rinse water, one with soapy water.
Spray wheel cleaner on dirty wheels.
Agitate brake dust with a wash mit, or a brush, whatever.
Rinse wheels.
Rinse the car.
Wash from the top to the bottom in front to back motions.
Do one section at a time, washing then rinsing.
Repeat as necessary.
Head to interior (some do interior first, use your preference).
If that information is at all interesting to you, then you may be catching "the bug" of car cleaning and detailing. If that's the case, just keep searching and you'll find lots of communities online to help you sink deeper and deeper...
I have a friend that just uses a squeegee-type device that he uses to dry his car. I guess it seems to work ok. Wouldn't this be a valid option?
Or what about just air drying, perhaps after the squeegee action, just drive it around and let the water blow off thanks to the wind?
The squeegee-type device is OK but potentially very dangerous to your paint. If you have ANYTHING, and I mean anything, on your paint when you run one of those over it, plan on lots of buffing and polishing to remove some serious scratches.
Air drying isn't a good idea either because the water drops contain dust and other things that will etch to the paint if they are left there to evaporate. The best drying method I've tried is a large waffle-weave microfiber drying towel.
