Yes, my 1990 Acura Integra was named "Grey Ghost", and way back when, my VW Bug (baja with a roll bar and harness seatbelts) was named "The Red Baron" But I only name cars that I really like or have some character. Kermit fits the bill in spades!

 

Anybody know what that rounded square indentation on the right back bumper is? I haven't asked anyone, until now.

 

I would guess it is the same as the one on the front, for a tow hook.

 

That's exactly what it is. It does feel secure because there is a support tube that locks to the frame of the bicycle (you can see it in the first picture I posted, on the opposite side of the bike). It took me and my MA about 15 minutes to figure it out. I thought it would be easy but its gonna be tough to get that bike up there without scratching the car or getting my hands super dirty.

 

bingo

 

It is the tow hook. My MA showed me how it works. You pop of the plastic cover with a flat head screwdriver (careful not to scratch!) then there's a threaded tow hook that comes with the car (located with your tire jack) that screws into the hole behind the panel. This must be used anytime a towtruck tows the Mini. (I say just pick it up and gently set it on the flatbed... )

 

Good to know! Thanks!!

 

Good morning Mini family! I trust everyone is out putting miles on their babies...

Have a question... what car cleaning products have you found that will make our Mini's shine?? I was up from 11:30 last night to 2 in the morning reading the forums on detailing. Seems like most people are pushing the Prima Car Care products, ie Hydro. They seem like awesome products but I would rather try to find something at my local Wal Mart, Checker, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc etc..., rather than mail order from Colorado. Any suggestions?

Zorro got lightly sprinkled on yesterday and that was enough to make him a filthy boy. Gotta give him a bath today so I'll be going to the store to get supplies... Let me know if you have any strong opinions on any products.

Tharkun? Talk to me O Wise One....

 

Have been using both Griot's and Meguiars with good reults, will be trying the Prima products soon.

 

I'll second Tharkun! Scoop's best friend (the red MCS that started it all in the shade in the photos) swears by Meguire products. That's what they've used for 6 years. They particularly love the Meguire's quick detail spray.

Scoop is garaged while we have a little rain. She can maybe come out and play this afternoon or tomorrow! Please don't laugh, WA and OR friends. After months of 0 rainfall, the dirt and oil that gets thrown up on these So Cal roads is DISGUSTING for the first inch or two of rain!

 

I'm from WA state lived there for 47 years, and after almost ten years here in Tracy............I hate what little rain we do have, causes extra detail time.
If it is raining cars stay in the garage and the Frontier is used, but sometimes the cars do get stuck on a trip home when it was sunny when they left the garage.

 

We haven't had rain in months and weren't forcasted to get any. Of course, it only rained (Sprinkled) for 5 minutes and that was enough to make a muddy mess all over Zorro. YUCK

Picked up the Maguires today and will give him his first bath shortly. I almost bought him a rubber ducky but my wife threatened to leave me... They just don't get it

 

Kermit and I (and spouse) went for our first big ride today. It was a great ride up to a Mt. St. Helens viewpoint, then down to the Columbia Gorge, over to Hood River (across the Columbia River and into Oregon), over to Phelps Creek winery for some Pinot Noir sampling, then across the Bridge of the Gods into WA, and then more twisty turns home. Great trip. Kermit handled those turns like a champ. Found a whistle in high winds off of my sun roof - but it was really windy. Not too worried about it. Almost half way through break in! So much fun.

 

Frodo has gotten a couple of washes. I want to do a wax job as soon as the clear mask cures. The detail forums worry me a bit as does my experience with wax touching the black plastic portions. Is Griot's a wax?

I can't believe how dirty the back end gets. The airflow must deposit alot of dirt back there. One drive and I can see the dust/dirt on the boot.

What products are you using on the black plastic skirts?

Another thing.... after washing, the car drips from various places. Even after driving around the neighborhood a couple of times and re-drying, I find drips hours later. The grill is one source, the boot window frame/edge is another. It seems like I need to take the air compressor and blow those areas out before the final detailing.

I hope to take pictures in the driveway of the tint job today.

I didn't get to go motoring this weekend, but saw Body Worlds 3 - WOW, facinating!!

 

I picked up a Craftsman 12 amp 350 CFM leaf blower on sale for $35. I use that for drying the areas that like to retain water, solves the problem well, no more drips hours later after sitting.

 

Half way there??? I'm getting close to a third of the way along. Great picture of Kermit.

 

Almost halfway. I do have a 60 mile roundtrip commute everyday, which piles on miles pretty quickly. That plus about 250 yesterday. I give myself a few more weeks and I will be there. I do recommend the drive I took though - great twisty roads. SR 503 through Battleground and Amboy - right on Lewis River Rd (still 503) to 90 and then down Windy River Rd to the Gorge. Great drive, nice and curvy, and very scenic. Tons of MINI fun.

 

Kermit looks very happy to be doing the kind of drives you've been giving him. I'm sure all the roads look better from a MINI. That drive was even nice from my husband's 74 Pinto many years ago

 

Beautiful drive Kimberely!

So. . . now that we have our babies, what WAS the first song/CD you played?

I played the Win, Place and Show CD from Johnny Cash. Not anything I was planning on. It just seemed right!

Scoop gets to come out and play today later! She's happy it stopped raining

 

It was somewhat anti-climactic actually. I was having a devil of a time figuring out the iPod controls - so everything was alphabetical by artist. For the entire first day I couldn't play anything other than ABBA. So my first song was something odd like Dancing Queen. Music has improved greatly since then.

 

So happens I had the same issue for the first few times of using the Ipod adapter, and just so happens ABBA is the first album on ours as well.

 

Hotel California - Eagles

 

Oh, this is too funny. The first CD I could find to play was ABBA Gold. I don't have that on my IPOD though, just testing the CD player. Money, money, money....

Speaking of IPOD adaptors, mine has hung up a few times. Once I even had to stop the car for a bit for it to work again. Anyone else see this?

 

I don't have any ABBA, but I loved Mama Mia!

I was not able to get the pictures of my tint job. Maybe I'll try again today.

Does anyone have the rubber mats? I love them and will love them more in the winter. Does anyone have one for the boot (and where did you get it)?

 

I got the rubber mats - CooperS mats even. I don't mind. Kermit doesn't either. I don't have one for the boot though.