Astro Black owners...how hard is it to keep it clean?

[RUKnight]

So in narrowing down my spec for my R56 I'm between Chili Red/Black and all Astro Black. My R53 was Chili Red Black but with the R56 I'm leaning towards Astro Black. The big question for me is will it drive me insane due to it always being dirty?

A little background on me...
To say I'm fanatical about my cars cleanliness is an understatement. I run a detailing business on the side and it's pretty normal for me to wash my car weekly, polish and wax it monthly and cold temperatures just means I wear rubber gloves when I wash it. But things like swirl marks and just a dirty car in general tend to drive me a little nuts So is getting my R56 in Astro Black a nightmare waiting to happen? I've heard metallic blacks are slightly easier to take care of then normal Blacks.
Mike

[thebreadking]

http://northamericanmotoring.com/for...d.php?t=119201

This might help a little. I was pondering the same question myself, and received quite a few responses. It doesn't apply directly to your inquiry, but it might help suppliment other people's responses.

[torobud]

well... mines dirty...

(Not that it helps you any...)

[MiniJayhawk]

It is black. It will always be dirty. But for the few moments when it isn't, black is the best automobile color possible. I have had my share, and still do with my wife's X3. I always say I will never own another black car, but end up with one about half the time anyway.

[H.A.W.G.]

Be prepared to wash it once a week if you want if to be clean all the time. The boot will be noticablely dirty after 1 short drive. I love my Astro Black/white Cooper when it is clean, but that is rare.

[slvgmini]

I have a jet black BMW and it is not difficult to keep clean as long as you wash it once a week, which is recommended, and garage it. Wax it often, and polish once a year, with a quality polish(and clean polishing cloths, dirty cloths are what leave swirl marks. I think the Mini Astro black is a metallic black, which would show less imperfections than a jet black.

[Mgibrace]

My astro black is chronically dirty, but looks great clean. Just rains up here 9 mo a yr. The metallic in the paint does make it less filthy looking compared to my gloss black cars. The boot's dirty immediately if there's even a mist.

Hey, you detail on the side. You'll be ok.

[TrboKrt]

I went an entire month without actually washing my AB MCS. All I used was the California duster and detail spray when I saw a spot of something on the surface.

It really is not that hard to keep clean with the duster alone (if you manage to avoid water and tree droppings, etc).

[PEZdragon]

I have R53 Astro black with white moon roof. When clean or even near clean it just takes your breath away. No other color combo (imo) gets it like that.
PEZ

[nicknbecka]

Originally Posted by H.A.W.G.

Be prepared to wash it once a week if you want if to be clean all the time. The boot will be noticablely dirty after 1 short drive. I love my Astro Black/white Cooper when it is clean, but that is rare.

+1 here- I wash weekly, and usually do a quick one mile drive to shake any water off that couldn't be reached with a microfiber towel, and by the time I get back the dust is already starting to show a bit on the back. It's a Mini thing more than a black thing though- just like the streaks up the top corner of the door windows.

Polished up and shining, it looks absolutely fantastic. I do about 1,000 miles a week, so I can't say exactly how long it takes to cross that 'I look dirty' line, but it takes about three or four days before I start thinking about washing again.

[TrboKrt]

I find that by using a portable shop vac in reverse with a fine tip on the hose (or compressed air) is perfect for getting all the extra water trapped inside the cracks and grill areas especially. I dry and then blow out all the areas where trim or any two parts meet and don't have water drips later.
Saves a lot of extra wiping.

[RUKnight]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm still not sure what I'm going to order color wise although I'm set on the rest of the spec at this point. It'll probably be a game time decision.

What makes this so hard is when I ordered my R53 I knew I wanted Chili Red/Black whereas this time I'm not sure what color I want and I can't afford both
Mike

[Mark Kurzius]

Originally Posted by RUKnight

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm still not sure what I'm going to order color wise although I'm set on the rest of the spec at this point. It'll probably be a game time decision.

What makes this so hard is when I ordered my R53 I knew I wanted Chili Red/Black whereas this time I'm not sure what color I want and I can't afford both
Mike

Mike ,Black is black,I have two other cars that are black,when their clean their absolutely beautiful...If your finatical like I tend to be get a duster to keep with the car..I got the Cilli Red just because it is easier to keep clean and it looks great...I had a Black Mini Covertible before this car and it was a pain,but it sure looked good when it was spuced up...good luck with your car..just enjoy

[drewster]

Easy decision, you say you run a detailing business on the side, what better way to have a rolling billboard than an immaculate black car. People will admire your paint and ask how you keep it so clean....

[matty125]

I wash my MINI very Frequently.....Yes it gets dirty, its a fun car and gets driven. So Washing the MINI is well....Like washing my boat, motorcycle or anything else you do it without any thought. least its not full sized