hi
got my mini now for about a week but i have a question what is the best soap or brand i can use to clean the mini.. and is there any cleaning supplies i can buy...

i need to clean the interior (leather) and the exterior

 

www.detailersparadise.com

where else?


btw, make sure you get a bottle of Prima Hydro when you make that
purchase.

 

Mystique all the way!!! Hydro when wet then dry. Epic if you want to wax your baby!!

 

Prima.

 

For the interior, use Nero. (it's made by Prima and can be found at detailersparadise.com)

 

Be warned that some people like spending tons of time and money detailing their MINI. You may get some responses that will lead to you spending hundreds of dollars and multiple days "cleaning" your car. Not that there's anything wrong with that. :D

How much time and money do you want to spend?

Minimally, get 2 buckets (one for clean, soapy water; one for rinsing off the wash mitt - much like washing dishes). Get a car wash specific soap, not dish soap. Get a wash mitt of some sort (thick and soft) and something to dry the car with (I use "the absorber"). If you aren't in the OCD (obsessive compulsive detailer) club, you can get what you need to wash the car locally (auto store, heck even WalMart).

Flame away, OCD crowd. :D

 

Since you're in SoCal, stop by my shop and I'll set you up with the best stuff--yes Prima. I am their California retailer, so I can show you how to use the products as well as make recommendations.

Or attend my next Saturday class (free)--June 30th and play with the products on your MINI under my guidance.

www.showcardetailing.com at the 57/91 freeways in Placentia (Anaheim/Fullerton adjacent)

Richard

 

No flames here, snid! I think you have a very good point! In fact, the main question you pose (money/time) is the one we often start with when someone comes into our retail store for the first time. If someone ends up with something too time-consuming for their preference and/or time allowance, they will just be frustrated. The same goes for the budget. It's important to match your goals and style with the things you buy to use.

So, I agree with your general recommendations about the basics (well, except that I think the Waffle-Weave style drying towels work better than the Absorber, but that's just my opinion!).

*The only thing I would point out against going to an auto store or Wal-Mart is that especially for basics like soap and even wax, the price per bottle or gallon might seem more attractive but any of the brands at these places are going to be extremely diluted, thereby killing what may have seemed like a good price.

For example, you only need "a couple of good squirts" of Prima Mystique per 4-5 gallon bucket vs. half the bottle for most mass-marketed brands.
You only need 1-2 oz per application of Prima Epic (wax), which also then lasts for several months.

Plus, as a family-run, small business owner, I always like to point out that it's nice to support the little guys instead of the corporate giants all the time too.

Just thought it was relevant to point out the value side of going with most premium brands, as it's often overlooked and unfortunately isn't always obvious.
Of course, normally I'd have to add that some do prefer to buy from a local chain instead of the internet (where most of the premium brands are available), but in Dubaian's case of being near OctaneGuy's shop in SoCal, premium product accessibility is no problemo!

Last, I'll have to be Kenchan and add that Prima Hydro is the answer for all types... the diehard and the time-challenged.

-Heather

 

^^


it's time to Hydro.

 

Can't help you with the leather but my favorite carsoap is Smart Carwash & I use 303 Aerospace to clean the dash & interior bits & you gotta get some Clarity to do your windows inside & out

Nobody ever pushes the Clarity but me... man I am going to self-proclaim myself as the ken of Clarity

 

no, this is not true. i too like Clarity and in the Clarity gallon club.

 

Yeah right did anyone tell the OP to grab up some Clarity??? NOOOOOooooooooooooooo

I am now the ken of Clarity (gallon owner too) you can only be the ken of hydro

 

If anything avoid dawn or dishwashing soap...unless you want to take wax off.

 

I want to be the ken of something!

 

 

I purchase Hydro and Mystique by the gallon can I be Ken and Barbie??

 

What the heck is a ken???

 

Or go to a car wash.

 

blahahahaha!!!

 

An excellent point for anyone getting started!! In my case, I still find lots of reasons to stay with Klasse products (All-In-One and Sealant Glaze...also sold by Detailer's Paradise) because of a few practical, logistical concerns which I think a lot of MINI owners may face. Clearly even Dealer's Paradise recognizes the value of this alternative, which also offers superb, long-lasting results.

 

It may seem like it's more money to order something from Detailers Paradise but it's worth it. Especially if you have a brand new MINI (SO easy to wash btw) and you want to keep it shiney and clean for a long time.

There's something so satisfying about washing the dirt off by hand, and from a girl's perspective, Prima products smell awesome. My MINI is always so fresh and so clean after I'm done!

 

Take your pick but Hydro & Clarity are already taken & just remember once you become the ken of something your chief responsibility in life becomes singing it's praises from the highest mountaintop 24/7 & converting others to your way of thinking. It is a big responsibility.

^^^^ this is a ken

 

 

Don't listen to Jason..even when his car is clean, it's still brown!

Make your own decisions and balance them with the effort and money you wan to spend. A decent mitt and a decent wax is enough for most people.

 

or better yet, who is snid?