MINI Cooper MINI Cooper specs
MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Forums MINI Cooper Pictures
Mark Forums Read MINI Cooper radio MINI Cooper latest news
 

Go Back   North American Motoring > MINIs in General > Detailing 101
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !
Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


» Latest Main Topics
Go to first new post R56 Modified Intake
17 Replies, 801 Views
Go to first new post "Those Waiting for a 2012"...
by Vapok
1,975 Replies, 53,517 Views
Go to first new post OK we all own MINIs but...
by airmini
1,179 Replies, 58,610 Views
Advertisement

Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 11-02-2006, 08:23 PM
GPowner GPowner is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Gallery
How do I wash the wing on my GP?

Picked my GP up today. Yay.

My MA told me that there were specific instructions on how to clean it so it won't scratch, which is evidently easy to do. Noooooooooo . Anywho, he said he thought they were supposed to use a sheepskin mit only, but he really didn't know. I thought my microfibre towel (seamless) would work fine. He said Noooooooo . That he has scratched surfaces with those.

Help. I don't want to ruin my car 24 hours after I've taken delivery. Noooooooo .
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-02-2006, 09:10 PM
Motor On's Avatar
Motor On Motor On is offline
Community Servant
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Midwest
Posts: 20,602
Gallery
Garage
It's a GP you're not supposed to get it dirty Octance Guy has some pretty decent instructions about how to do it right.
__________________
-Drew MMC#282

Follow NAM on Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-02-2006, 11:28 PM
GPowner GPowner is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Gallery
Thanks.

I private messged him. Can't wait for his response!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-02-2006, 11:44 PM
OctaneGuy's Avatar
OctaneGuy OctaneGuy is offline
Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 8,794
Send a message via AIM to OctaneGuy Send a message via Yahoo to OctaneGuy Send a message via Skype™ to OctaneGuy
Gallery
Garage
I'm in my hotel room now in Las Vegas. I'm working the NACE show which is all about Collision Repair--I was at SEMA earlier this week.

The best advice I can offer for the wing and the rest of the MINI is to understand what it takes to maintain a show car finish. To do that, you have to take care of how you wash the car. Forget about taking the car down to the car wash or letting the dealer wash your car!

Go to www.ShowCarGarage.com and watch my free 30 minute video on washing my MINI.

In the near future, I'll do a writeup on how I take care of my paint--I drove 240+ miles to get here, and the first thing I did was wash it---using my own system of bottle DI water---right in front of my hotel room. I've got black paint, so it's especially difficult to maintain. But the wash, plus daily covering with a car cover has kept it looking great all week!

Ok gotta get going for now.

Richard
__________________
5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM
2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-03-2006, 08:04 AM
GPowner GPowner is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Gallery
Good luck at the show. I watched the first 8 minutes. So far, good stuff. Interesting you cover your car daily. Even when it's in the garage?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OctaneGuy View Post
I'm in my hotel room now in Las Vegas. I'm working the NACE show which is all about Collision Repair--I was at SEMA earlier this week.

The best advice I can offer for the wing and the rest of the MINI is to understand what it takes to maintain a show car finish. To do that, you have to take care of how you wash the car. Forget about taking the car down to the car wash or letting the dealer wash your car!

Go to www.ShowCarGarage.com and watch my free 30 minute video on washing my MINI.

In the near future, I'll do a writeup on how I take care of my paint--I drove 240+ miles to get here, and the first thing I did was wash it---using my own system of bottle DI water---right in front of my hotel room. I've got black paint, so it's especially difficult to maintain. But the wash, plus daily covering with a car cover has kept it looking great all week!

Ok gotta get going for now.

Richard
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-03-2006, 08:32 AM
OctaneGuy's Avatar
OctaneGuy OctaneGuy is offline
Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 8,794
Send a message via AIM to OctaneGuy Send a message via Yahoo to OctaneGuy Send a message via Skype™ to OctaneGuy
Gallery
Garage
Oh let me clarify. When I'm at home I don't cover it. But in the public parking garage I do because:
1.) Its exposed to elements (not sealed)
2.) Keeps valuables inside hidden
3.) Protects from door dings and animal scratches

Although even at home it could benefit from an indoor cover that's quick to apply since dust build up is so readily on black paint. Trouble with my car is that the paint is so slick that when I get one side of the cover on, the other slides off! =)

Richard
Quote:
Originally Posted by GPowner View Post
Good luck at the show. I watched the first 8 minutes. So far, good stuff. Interesting you cover your car daily. Even when it's in the garage?!
__________________
5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM
2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-03-2006, 12:58 PM
jwardell jwardell is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 1,390
Send a message via AIM to jwardell Send a message via Skype™ to jwardell
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by GPowner View Post
Picked my GP up today. Yay.

My MA told me that there were specific instructions on how to clean it so it won't scratch, which is evidently easy to do. Noooooooooo . Anywho, he said he thought they were supposed to use a sheepskin mit only, but he really didn't know. I thought my microfibre towel (seamless) would work fine. He said Noooooooo . That he has scratched surfaces with those.

Help. I don't want to ruin my car 24 hours after I've taken delivery. Noooooooo .
The GPs don't scratch any easier than other minis! He is confusing the "hand wash only" requirement, made as an automated car wash might rip off the GP's rear wing.

Of course all of us detailing nuts would never machine wash any car...but the GP's paint is no different than any other.

He is also clearly as ignorant in his microfiber anti-recommendation.
Though it is true there are is a large range in quality and some that can scratch. Most MF towels are designed for polishing and are low-pile, therefore not good for lifting dirt that you need for washing. Just use your head when selecting a product. You want something that is not harsh itself, and with enough pile to hold dirt away from the surface.

I recommend, depending on your personal preference, the aforementioned wool mitt, this MF mitt, or a good quality chenille sponge.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-04-2006, 06:48 AM
GPowner GPowner is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Gallery
Man. You guys are good. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-04-2006, 07:01 AM
GPowner GPowner is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwardell View Post
The GPs don't scratch any easier than other minis! He is confusing the "hand wash only" requirement, made as an automated car wash might rip off the GP's rear wing.

Of course all of us detailing nuts would never machine wash any car...but the GP's paint is no different than any other.

He is also clearly as ignorant in his microfiber anti-recommendation.
Though it is true there are is a large range in quality and some that can scratch. Most MF towels are designed for polishing and are low-pile, therefore not good for lifting dirt that you need for washing. Just use your head when selecting a product. You want something that is not harsh itself, and with enough pile to hold dirt away from the surface.

I recommend, depending on your personal preference, the aforementioned wool mitt, this MF mitt, or a good quality chenille sponge.
Thanks for the suggestions! I have purchased a wool mit.

My MA is actually very knowledgable. He didn't say that the paint would scratch any easier, just that there were 'detailed' washing instructions for the carbon Fibre wing. More likely, it is the listener (me!) that is ignorant.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-04-2006, 01:59 PM
ryanthemartini ryanthemartini is offline
1st Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 46
Gallery
Use a sheepskin mit so it wont drag particles around causing scratches. The next step is to dry it, and for that I recommend a nice Meguiars or Cobra drying towel. Bed, Bath, and Beyond also has nice drying towels

It wouldnt help to put a durable sealnt on there such as Duragloss 105.


Edit: Really look into a drying towel for your car. I recommend spend the money on a few from bed bath and beyond. It is a great insurance policy as most cars I detail are washed correctly and dried with anything that is made of cloth *eye twitch*
Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 01:59 PM
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Forum Jump


MINI CooperMINI Cooper PrivacyMINI Cooper Terms of UseMINI Cooper Guidelines MINI Cooper Advertising The North American MINI Cooper Community
  MINI Cooper news, forums, FAQs, and reviews for enthusiasts and owners of the North American MINI Cooper
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:29 AM.
 Copyright © 2002-2008 North American Motoring. All Rights Reserved.     Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
North American Motoring is an independently operated web site supporting MINI owners and enthusiastsworldwide. As such it has no official relationship with MINI USA, BMW AG, or BMW of North America.All original artwork and design is Copyright © 2002-2004 North American Motoring.
Admin Account Passwords

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2