So, yes i know this is a 'detailing' thread but here goes anyway...

Any DCMM'ers use Prima products? I've heard/read a ton about Hydro, Epic, Mystique, etc, etc. I've had my Zoe for 9 days now and will be needing to give her a good cleaning sometime soon. I'm trying to decide which products are best to use without spending a ton of money trying everything in creation. Anyone know the best couple Prima products (or products in general) to use for cleaning my baby?

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

 

Would you like you MINI to be this clean?



Ask Ed's (Hypnohealer) for his secret.

 

haha, sure! Who wouldn't want their MINI to be that clean?!?

 

I LOVE the prima products. My sister (who is wonderful) got me the starter set (and extras) 2 years ago. I have been using Mystique/Slick/Hydro/Epic/etc and love them all. They are all easy to apply. Epic will make your car look great and using slick for QD will keep it that way. Though especially with your new car do not forget to clay first - it is amazing how much this really improves your finish. Also, it is not too difficult. I have tried a few products and this is my favorite.

 

I've been using Prima products on the 3 MINIs for over a year.

If you knew me better, you'd realize how good they must be.

Signed, Charter Member of the OCDetailing Club.

And for proof:

 

Prima user here also.

 

I bought the whole Prima kit right after we got Cricket. I LOVE Hydro (just ordered a gallon!) and I like Nero for the interior. I used the Epic wax and while the car looked great when I was done, it was a LOT of work. I believe it's meant to be used with a porter cable polisher and I don't have one (or intend to get one - I just don't have the space). After talking to a couple of people, I decided to try Zaino. It was MUCH easier to use by hand and the car looks amazing. The MINI that Maxicooper posted is mine. I still plan on using Hydro after every wash, but for the twice a year big detail, I'll use Zaino.

I do think Epic is a good product, it just wasn't for me. Look at CR&PW&JB's MINIs - it doesn't get much better than that!

 

Thank you, Laura !

 

I use them but found using it by hand a real pain, I have a PC, just need to do my chip touch ups then I'll try the Prima with it. Totally love the Hydro - got a gallon too !

Mike

 

Wow, thanks for your reply everyone!
It sounds like you all recommend just about ALL of their products - but which *couple* should i start with? What are the necessities?

 

My bare minimum would be Epic, Amigo, and Hydro for the exterior, add in Nero and Clarity for interior and glass.

 

I love my purple Mini, but it only looks good when it is polished. I have used other products, but Prima works the best of those I have tried. DP has excelent service as well. When you talk to anyone at DP (I like Heather) you get strait answers from people who know

 

How about this : http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...20070405181128 and a bottle of Hydro. Would that be good for a first time detailer ?

Cheers.

 

I agree with GreenCactus that the http://www.zainobros.com products are easier to use with hand applications. Zaino clay is my favorite clay! I've been using Zaino for 11 years on my show car "Maxi". see my gallery!

I have recently become a huge fan of Turtle Wax Ice car wash ($7.77 @ wal-mart). Everyone I know who has used it .... loves it.

I use the Prima products when I detail with the RO buffer.

 

+1,

 

+2

 

Sounds like it'd be a good package. I guess i should have mentioned i'd rather not spend $100 on products to start!

Thanks everyone for your input! =) Maybe i'll order a thing or two soon!

 

Go for the Hydro, and slick if you want to use it for quick detailing. I got a starter kit from them, worth every penny, but I still haven't had time to do everything I want to. The hydro is EASY to apply, I did it when my MINI was wet still after a wash with I think the Turtle Wax Ice wash mentioned above...and my MINI looked impressive to me...you be the judge

 

Yep, Hydro is great for a quick detail and hides most of the swirls and scratches.

You really only need to get the R/O buffer, Prima Swirl, and Epic if your obssessive, like me.

 

Hypno said I was obsessive after looking at Wensley's finish.....you folks with the lighter colors have it made ! Space Blue might as well be black for all the swirls and microscratches it shows.

OctaneGuy has been providing me with good service and advice, so I get my stuff from him at http://www.showcardetailing.com

I do have a question to those with more experience.

How do you get blemishes out of the vinyl decals ? My U-Stripe has several spots on it, I tried clay and some cleaners and found no joy. I've been thinking of getting the stripe removed and one painted on instead.

Mike

 

Great info in this thread! I used to use sonus and klasse products and bought everything from the http://autopia.org/ store. However, all these pics of perfectly detailed minis have spoken to me....I think I will try the Prima products and maybe even the Zaino. (Although I do have a porter cable I've been wanting to use!)

Is detailer's paradise the vendor of choice for these products?

Do you guys use the Prima and Zaino products on your clear bras also? Having the clear bra now poses some new challenges for detailing my car (like probably not using the porter cable on it).

 

Re: Vinyl stripes. You can polish them using a mild polish and a softer pad. I would start with Prima Amigo and the black pad. If that doesn't take care of the problem, stick with the lighter polish but go up to the orange pad. That should take care of any issue you have with the vinyl. Of course, if you don't use Prima products and the LC pads, you have no idea of what I'm speaking. If you use your buffer on the stripes, just be sure not to hit the edges of them. Put a thin line of painters tape along the edge of the stripes. Otherwise, the pad will lift the edge up ever so slightly over time and then you start collecting debris under there and then you have issues.

Re: Clearbra. No, I don't use Zaino on it. But that's because I don't use Zaino on anything. I use the same Prima products in the same way I use them on my paint. Again, just like the stripes, don't hit the edge of the clearbra with the buffer. Cover the edge with tape.

 

You guys are killing me.... I want the 2' deep shine on my DS/B. too bad I let both the march mini calendar discount and the NAM PC sale expire... Oh if only detailersparadise would over look my tardiness.

 

Be aware that some vinyl stripes are not solid color all the way through... the color on the top may be just printed on Over aggressive polishing may wear through the top color coat and reveal the base vinyl

Mike from Aesthetic Creations warned me about that on the stripes he did for me. Hope this helps avert disaster

 

Yeah, that's why I suggested a very non-aggressive polish, Ed.

I got all my stripes from Mike and I've polished them with the R/O buffer and some Prima Amigo and they look better than they did when they were new. Shinier. And we all know shinier is gooder.