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I'll be getting my MINI in around a month. I'm going to polish, clay and wax it pretty much as soon as I get it. Has anyone tried the Pinnacle Complete Wax & Cleaning Kit http://www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-Compl...6919654&sr=8-3
Is it good or is there something better that I should use?
It's impossible for me to make out what's included in that kit...
I'd say go with something that's a known quantity - Detailers Paradise has several different bundles for around that price and we all KNOW that they're very high quality. For example THIS BUNDLE has literally everything you need to get started and to keep the car looking great. It costs abuot $40 more, but I've used every product in the bundle (except the car wash that is) and I can tell you that they're all top quality. Epic is my all-time favorite wax and SLick keeps it looking great. Hydro is so good that it has its own praise thread from Richard (the mighty OctaneGuy), and the Wizards Black Renew keeps the trim looking as good as new (better than it looked from my dealership actually).
Toss in a clay bar for pre-wax prep and you're all set with a basic kit that should last all season and beyond.
Best of all, DP's Heather is a frequent poster here and will always give you whatever assistance you need, and stands behind the products 100%.
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
I pretty much have dumped most of my old stuff in favor of the Prima Care products! Seeing the results and hearing about them from others on this forum I was basically sold!
I purchased the Super Bundle for my Mini which is on order. I can't wait to use it on my car! Its most likely I'm going to be unleashing the products on my current car as there is no way i can wait 2 -3 months Hopefully we get a stretch of good weather so it won't be all wasted by the rain.
__________________ Picked Up (7/20): | 07 MCS | AB/B | *Coop Power* | Premium | Sport | Convenience | SS | LSD | DSC | HK | BB Lounge Leather | Alta 3" Cat Back Exhaust | Alta CAI | Alta 19mm Rear Sway Bar |
+1 on Prima. You might also check out Jason's Prima package over on Coopersport: Coopersport Prima Combo. Same great product line from DP, just a few bucks less though you don't get any Wizard with it (one of my favorites BTW) or WheelShield. Oh and I can personally vouch for the Prima car wash Mystique - great stuff!
Looks like it has all you need... Most products work pretty well, especially when you start with a new car, so yeah, if you went this way you'd save a few bucks...
Note that the wax is carnuba based (natural) however, which means that while the finish MIGHT (and I want to stress the "might") look a bit "wetter" than, say Epic (which is a synthetic but uis still VERY rich-looking), it will only last a fraction as long, meaning more re-applications. I've had a coat of Epic on my car since early November and the car still looks like a mirror, even after a Ohio winter.
I touvh up the shine every few weeks with Hydro and detail twice a week with Slick and that's about all I do. I certainly recommend using clay bar on the paint before waxing, also - remember that you can use a soapy water solution in a sprayer as a clay lube and save the expensive Detail Spray for... well, detailing.
All in all, I'd still go with the DP bundle, but the kit looks more complete then I initially thought.
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
PS - also spend another $8 or $9 and get a brush LIKE THIS.
It will make cleaning the brake dust off the rims a LOT easier. WHeel Sheild or even a double-coat of Epic on the rims REALLY helps as well - the dust doesn't stick to the wax very well...
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
As most of the fellow NAMers can attest to, Prima Care is the best kinda care!
__________________ Picked Up (7/20): | 07 MCS | AB/B | *Coop Power* | Premium | Sport | Convenience | SS | LSD | DSC | HK | BB Lounge Leather | Alta 3" Cat Back Exhaust | Alta CAI | Alta 19mm Rear Sway Bar |
Pinnacle Souveran is a top notch carnauba wax and this is probably the reason why the kit cost so much. A tub is like $70 if I am not mistaken. It's an awesome product but like any other carnauba is doesn't have the durability of the synthetics.
so my suggestion is to go PRIMA all the way!
I personally haven't had a chance to use Prima products, though they do sound quite good. I did however wash and wax my car yesterday and this is what i did:
Washed it at the local car wash. About 10 minutes from my home. Dried it there then took it home.
Cleaned up the road dirt from the trip home with Meguiars Quick Detailer before claybaring any really dirty spots.
Waxed the car with Turtle Wax Black Color Cure. It makes me Astro Black MINI very dark and rich. I'm not a big fan of Turtle Wax products but it makes for such a deep color.
Waited for the wax to cure, wiping off any excess dust as it formed, cleaned the windows, used Stoner Trim Shine on the trim, and Stoner Tire Shine on the tires.
After leaving it for about an hour I came back and waxed it with Meguiars Gold Liquid Clearcoat. Gives the car a deep, shiny, almost wet look. Doesn't last as long as Caranuba wax, but it sure looks nice. Besides, I don't mind waxing my car monthly.
The end result is beautiful. Took me about 4 hours total. Too bad it snowed last night before I could take pictures. Alberta weather can be a *****.
I used Meguiar's Gold Class before I switched to Prima. I liked it, but it didn't seem to last very long (2-3 weeks tops).
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~Matt Cook | Dublin, Ohio | '92 Classic Mini Sprite: "Fiona" + Purple Haze 2005 MCS Cabrio: "Dawn". See old MODs from "Nano" HERE - post #166 - many with How-to links!
If you want to go with an excellent quality carnauba wax, then this is a great kit. Pinnacle makes high quality products and their Souveran carnauba paste wax is a favorite to many (I still like P21S Carnauba better for the price, but it's still a top-notch wax and almost worth the $$).
The kit overall includes some very nice products in addition to their wax, including their Paintwork Cleansing Lotion which is a nice pre-wax paint cleanser. So, if you want to go with a carnauba-based system, then this is an excellent kit.
However, understand that even the best carnauba waxes are not very durable (anywhere from 30-45 days in most cases) and most tend to attract dust due to the oils that have to be mixed into the wax in order to make it workable (these oils also add gloss, btw). Pinnacle Souveran and most other carnaubas offer a look that is often described as warm, rich and deep- especially on dark colors.
In conclusion, if your waxing a garage queen or show car then I'd suggest using a carnauba and Souveran (& this kit) is a good choice. However, if you're waxing anything else (including your pride and joy that also happens to get driven) then I'd suggest a synthetic. Of course, my personal favorite synthetic wax is Prima Epic. Epic offers a look that is typically described as wet, glossy and lively.
Sounds like you've already switched gears (in a direction I can't argue with! ) but I wanted to make sure you understood the difference so you can be certain to make an educated choice.
When should you clay? My MINI has about 5K miles on it...and I have used the DP combo to keep it nice and shiny but haven't ever clayed it...I thought clay was better used on "older" cars (like an 05 or something?)
__________________ '06 MCS HB/White/Premium/Sport/Convenience (-sunroof)/HK/Cordova Leather/Anthracite Dash/Chrome/Scotland Lion
Pics: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...0&ppuser=28917 HB Owners Club #149__River City MINI's ID: 06MCSHB_Dave Seven Cities MINI ID: TwoClubDave
Clay can be used on any car at any age. No matter how old, there is paint overspray and contaminants that get bonded to the paint, so Clay is a great step before swirl correction and definatly wax (helps the wax bond better).
When should you clay? My MINI has about 5K miles on it...and I have used the DP combo to keep it nice and shiny but haven't ever clayed it...I thought clay was better used on "older" cars (like an 05 or something?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcdbrendan
Clay can be used on any car at any age. No matter how old, there is paint overspray and contaminants that get bonded to the paint, so Clay is a great step before swirl correction and definatly wax (helps the wax bond better).
Ditto what Brendan said.
Often, even a brand new car off the dealer lot needs to be clayed.
When in doubt, do the baggie test (see the current clay thread for what this is if you don't know). The baggie test will tell you if you have to clay or not.
You all are responsible for this! I got up at 7:00 AM (as in the morning) to clean my car before it got too hot. I washed it. I cleaned the wheels with 4 Star Wheel Cleaning Jell. I Hydro'd. I Clarity'd. I noticed some minute scratches and Scratch-X's them. I Slick'd. And the absolute worst part of all this was I had FUN. Damn you all. It's all your fault. If this keeps up, you will be hearing from my shrink. Maybe even my lawyer..... (Not that I have a shrink or a lawyer, but now I will have to find a few).
__________________ BlooMeeni - 2004 Mini Copper, Auto A/C, HK Stereo, Leather, 5sp.
You will find that this forum in particular is biased toward Prima products. I've used carnuaba-based waxes for awhile, but in the last week I made the switch to Prima. These products are amazing...thats all there is to it! There is no exaggeration here! I used Epic and Hydro on my new Acura RDX two days ago and it looks much better than it did after it came from the dealer!
Go with Prima and you won't be disappointed!
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05 JB MCSc - Alta V2 15% pulley l Alta CAI l TCSportline exhaust l NGK Irridium colder plugs l M7 Ultimate Grills l LvS b/o headlamp rings
"IMALIMY"
90/10 all the way, That's the spirit! I hate airconditioning. Period.
Hopefully we get a stretch of good weather so it won't be all wasted by the rain. 
BlooMeeni - 2004 Mini Copper, Auto A/C, HK Stereo, Leather, 5sp.
