I haven't waxed my wifes Mini since we bought it last July. We are usually so busy and traveling a lot that I just never get around to it. However I just recently purchased some Prima car wash stuff and some Epic wax and want to wash and wax it this weekend.

I hear people talk about getting "swirls" in their paint if you don't wash and wax your mini properly. Is there a specific way to wash and wax your car in order to avoid this? Keep in mind that I'm usually the guy who just speeds into the car wash station and does a soapy hose down and spray and usually don't hand wash so I have no idea what I'm doing here. I have a good lambswool mitt from detailers paradise and some good pads for the waxing and a thingie to buff out the Epic wax. I also have a waffle weave towel for hand drying the car before putting on the wax.

Any pointers on the wash wax process would be greatly appreciated. Believe it or not I've actually never waxed a car before! Thanks in advance for any help you folks can provide!

Lindseybp

 

Well you've already got all the right materials, which is the real answer to avoiding swirls.

Usually a good hose off to of course remove dirt to begin with. Do wheels first (and with a separate cloth/brush). Then work from top to bottom. Squeeze out your mitt after each panel. If it is warm or sunny, rinse after each panel as well..you don't want the dirty soapy water drying on there.

Waxing should be straightforward as well. Usually it takes a bit at the beginning to get your applicator saturated, after that a few drops can do a whole panel. We all love Mr. Miyogi but his advice is wrong--pick one direction to rub in the wax. Wait a half hour or so after you've applied all the wax and then return with your softest towel to buff it off.

 

So for the waxing rub in circles in one direction moving from left to right, etc. or just rub straight in one direction? I'm probably making this more confusing than it has to be

 

I just left my wife wash the cars. Much easier

 

large wash bucket, grit guard or some sort of grill submerged in the
soapy water to separate grit, good wash soap, MF or sheepskin high
quality washmitt.

otherwise, get a second bucket to clean your mitt after each app.
never scrub paint, just make one pass over the area and rinse
the mitt.

 

The optimum word for your Epic experience is "THIN"! You do not want to be able to see it after you put it on. It should be applied so thin that it is invisible. Epic ain't no paste wax; if you put it on too thick it will be harder to remove not to mention a waste of premium Prima.
So, good wash (preferably with Prima Mystique), dry with microfiber waffle weave, find some shade if it is hot and do some Epic - thinly. Keep it off your trim or it will leave a residue: I like to treat my trim with Nero prior to doing Epic to minimize the chance of Epic reaching it.
It might seem overwhelming, but read some of the detailing threads about clay, polish and waxing techniques and tools. There is a wealth of info here on NAM from some very experienced detailers. Read, learn, do and enjoy.
BTW - the longer you let Epic cure the better. Thirty minutes would be a minimum, an hour is better and if I have the time, I let it cure overnight before I buff it off with my Monster Fluffy. Also if you run into any spots that are hard to get off, just use a little Slick on your buffing towel and it will come right off.
Gosh, there is just so much to share - I feel like I'm giving my last words of advice to my son as he heads out the door to college.
Have fun, share your experience with us when you're done and let us know if you have any problems.
Cheers.

 

Straight motions, no circles.

 

Well aside from direction of motion and all that jazz, the real question to ask is

What are you doing to instill swirls?????

Swirls are just scratches in your paint. They are caused by rubbing or abrasion against your paint. Assuming you started with a swirl free finish and clean paint. Applying a wax isn't going to instill swirls unless:

1.) Your wax applicator is abrasive
2.) You're applying wax over dirty paint
3.) You're wiping off the dried wax with a towel that's instilling swirls

There are plenty of opportunities to instill swirls in the paint--whether you're washing your paint, polishing, or waxing it. The best way to minimize swirls is to seriously evaluate your methods for taking care of your paint. For some people that's as far as admitting they go to the local car wash, and without going into the details--that's a sure way of instilling swirls in your paint.

To go nearly a year without waxing--I have to ask--where is this MINI? Outdoors or garaged? If garaged, is it a daily driver?? Chances are if this car is driven often, that your paint will need to be clayed to remove the above surface bonded contaminants. Then once you've clayed the paint, then you can think about waxing it.

Richard