If you're OC about keeping your MINIs looking good, then I'm not sure how you could live without a Random Orbital buffer.

I'm not sure what those speckles are you are talking about, but the buffer with the correct polish will most certainly take care of it.

Besides that advantage of owning a R/O buffer, it will also remove all the swirls and other paint imperfections without harming your paint in any way.

Read some of the threads on the Detailing 101 forum, get OctaneGuy's DVD on using a R/O buffer, and you'll be buying and using a buffer before you know it.

 

Sorry for the hijack. I didn't realise that I was in the DC MM thread until I had posted. Must have been a little tired. Been wanting to ask that question but didn't think it warrented a new thread.

 

It's okay... we like most outsiders.

 

Yeah I think I'll be ordering OG's DVD, seems like a good start. Thanks for the reply! I've read alot on the detailing forum and have learned alot, especially for Ken, Lotsie and you. I've just couldn't find anything specific to my question. But I think there will be an R/O in my future!

 

You'll love it and wonder how you ever maintained a car without one, trust me.

If you have any questions about which one, which pads to get and which pads to use with which polishes, just ask away.

Of course, sounds like you're done a lot of reading so you probably are on top of all that.

 

I am new to the mini world. I am actually picking my mini up on Friday 4/25. I can't wait but am also already worried about keeping it clean. I saw the Prima Paradise Super Bundle on the DP website and I am hoping to talk my husband into getting that one that should last me a while shouldn't it? I know it is quite pricey but you get alot.

 

Yeah, that's a very good way to start maintaining your MINI's appearance. Those products will vary widely on how long they will last you but the "short pole in the tent" (Hydro) will still last you about 9 months to a year (unless you decide to get a couple more MINIs, then all bets are off).

You'll love their products and if you have any questions about how to use them and can't find it on this site, ask away !!

 

If you could let me know step by step on maintaining the car and which product to use down the line that would be great, also my mini is going to have a checkerboard roof and mirrors will any of the products not be safe for those areas? Also I have heard about the clay what does that do and would I need to use it on a new mini?

Thank you for your time, it is greatly appreciated.

 

Step 1. Don't let the dealer wash it before delivery
Step 2. Clay
Step 3. Amigo
Step 4. Epic
Step 5. Read more Detailing Forum threads.
Wash with Mystique using two buckets & lambs wool mitt
Dry with Waffle Weaves & use Hydro
Enjoy the shine!

 

What happens if the dealer already washed it?

 

Nothing. Especially if you clay.

 

I'm about to finally get some prima products. Definitely getting the Epic (not getting a swirl remover as I already have some that I like to use with my PC).

Now do I get Hydro or Slick or both? What is going to make a sparkling silver (er, 'champagne') colored car look best and offer the best protection?

 

Hydro & Slick do different things. If you are going to pick one or the other, I'd go with Hydro, which you put on while drying your car after a wash. Slick is a quick detailer, for use when your car generally doesn't need a wash but can use some brightening up. I don't wash my car as often as some and I find Hydro lasts a good amount of time. Slick I'm not sure about, but it is slippery.

 

Hire lawyer.

Of course some of use use Hydro during the drying and Slick to follow it all up and make it doubly great!

 

What do you do with the clay and how do you apply it? Is it like a wax or a polish? I am new to being a mini owner and I really want my car looking shiny and clean at all times.

Was that a joke when you said hire a lawyer

 

Clay comes in a bar form. You use a lubricant (water works okay but commercial lubricants work a little better) and then rub the clay back and forth to remove surface contaminants. It will also get off the last of the wax that your pre-wash didn't remove. When you're done with the clay, rinse, dry, and you're ready to polish and wax.

And yeah, Chuck was messin' with you when he said, "hire an attorney". We OCDetailers despise dealerships touching our paint in any way, shape, or form. My local dealer admitted to me recently they have a drive-thru car wash. I didn't have the stomach to ask if it was touch-free.

 

Sorry, I was going to clarify my comment, but I got a call and then a meeting.
So here's the deal. If the dealer has washed it they probably installed some swirls and threw some carnauba wax on there too because they are so nice. As CR&PW&JB&OCD said we tend to be a little finicky here in the detailing forum so you could choose to do nothing (which is not terrible) or you could:
Wash with Dawn (plain ol'blue stuff) to remove the carnauba.
Clay to remove the bonded paint contaminates.
Polish with Swirl if there are any dealer installed swirls
Clean & fill with Amigo to hide the remaining swirls and prep for wax
Wax with Epic to get a good durable synthetic coating on there that will last you about 6 months.
Then wash/maintain as above.

 

I am glad he was messin with me because I was scared. Is it okay to clay when I wash my mini for the first time or do I wait awhile? Do I wash then clay. I am totally confused, sorry but it doesn't help that I am not used to washing my own vehicle this is the first awesome vehicle I have ever had.

I need step by step literally.

Thanks again

 

Thanks because I am so new here it scares me. I just want my vehicle to look the best.

 

Well give up that pipe dream because you will never be better then Ken's garage queen.
Really though don't be intimidate by all this stuff. Just read some more, get Octane Guy's DVD and try it. Its not like your paint will fall off if you reverse the order of something.

 

is that MoT? Cuz I have the worst swirls from having them wash my car (they were already noticeable when I took delivery). I was desperate because it was winter but now I know the error of my ways...

Anyway, I picked up my Prima products from Octane Guy...super helpful on the phone too! I highly recommend ordering from him: http://www.showcardetailing.com/eshop/default.asp If you have any questions I would definitely give him a call!

 

Yep, MoT... great service, lousy carwashing.

They say they are getting a new one installed soon. I guess the "old" one is not touch free and the new one will be. Still... NO THANKS.

 

I just ordered the Prima Paradise Super Bundle my wonderful husband told me to go ahead so I did. I did not buy the clay I figured this was a good start to maintaining my vehicle any pointers you can give would be great.

 

Are all the Prima products safe to use on a checkerboard roof, mirrors?