First Step...

Well, since it was extra warm today and I didn't get up extra early decided to go ahead and treat the top with the Ragg Topp I got.

1. got out the shop-vac and vacummed the top (this is the way I've been trying to clean it since it was recommended early on. It was very dusty and figured this would be a good way to get the most off before I started)

2. rinsed the top (used the garden hose but since it was basically clean I think next time I'll use a bug sprayer (car only) to keep as much off the paint - didn't want to wash it since it was in the sun so I tried to keep the paint sheeted).

3. sprayed the cleaner and went at it with a soft brush (one actually designed to wash RV's that my in-laws had)

4. Rinse, rinse, and more rinsing (wanted to be sure it was thoroughly rinsed. this was followed with a quick pat down with a mf towel to prevent water spots)

5. waited till it was really hot this afternoon and went out with a roll of painters tape and some papers.

6. sprayed (paranoid about getting any on the glass or paint), waited 20, sprayed again (still paranoid), as I took the tape off I decided to hit the back panel one more time since it takes the most dirt and elements, taped the window and boot better, sprayed the back one last time (a lot less paranoid because I had used the tape from the front of make SURE that overspray wasn't going no were.

NOTE: Next time I'm making sure I have enough tape to cover it where I don't have to worry

7. admired. It's actually black again. Don't know about beading but it's in the 90's with hot, hot sun so it should cure good

As always, comments, criticism, pointers, etc are welcomed and appreciated. Would have taken process shots but it's just too darn hot but plan to do befores when I start the wash.

 

Man, you work hard!

 

I really should do my top soon...sounds like you did a nice job!

 

Thanks. Wasn't nearly as hard as I thought. Biggest lesson i learned was take your time taping off (a lot less stress).

 

yah, experimenting is the way to do it.
lots and lots of trial and error for me too.

 

Well, got out the two buckets, lm mitt, and the Mystique. As soon as I started filling the buckets - started to cloud up of course - d'oh. Here's what I did.

1. two buckets - one rinse (not marked but always kept to the right - right = rinse ain't I's a smart) one with soap (tried the two squeeze method but will probably go back to measuring the two ounce.)

2. started at the bonnet and worked my way around (Mini drop top takes much less time than my bro-in-laws impala).

3. had plenty of soap left so I dumped it in my tire bucket but the sky started to grumble so I decided to stop.

4. used the Absorber on the top (but it beads with that RaggTopp stuff on it) and my wife patted the pain dry with the waffle weave (from DP).

5. Praying it doesn't rain (let alone hail)

Got some pictures of the result - I noticed a lot of water spots on the bonnet (I'm thinking from previous washes)

 

What will take these waterspots out by hand - swirl, amigo, clay?

 

clay should do the trick.

 

Also, I can never seem to get close around the boot hinges - any suggestions?

 

q-tips?

 

Hopefully can clay in the morning :smile:

 

Don't have any q-tips (as far as you know). Ken could you drive down and bring some. We can try that together.

Hey, maybe I can be the Ken of Q-tips! Does DP sell them?

 

Target has these q-tips in a small plastic package which is nice to
keep in your detailing arsenal. i have that and some other no-brand
ones but q-tips seems to have a softer swab.

 

Yup, try the clay for the water spots, if it doesn't work, then use a light finishing polish to remove them.

 

hope you didn't think this post was a joke. cause it wasn't.

 

Claybar is a good option, as is a paintwork cleanser or light polish. You can also use a dilute solution of white vinegar for 5-30 seconds... dig around the forum, searching for 'waterspot' to find the right dilution and cautions about this method.

 

I have Amigo that I was thinking of using so if they're still there after the clay then I'll probably definitely use it.

Kenchan, I was hoping you were kidding but was worried you weren't!

 

amigo should work well too for those spots.

yah, q-tips are great for cleaning around emblems too.

 

Would a soft bristle tooth brush be too rough for paint?

 

More then likely yes. I don't let anything besides foam applicator pads, and microfiber towels touch my paint.

 

nylon brushes are usually too stiff. even the boar's hair brush that i
use on my wheels are too stiff for body paint.

q-tips if used incorrectly will be too abrasive too.

 

Yeah, those dreaded water spots. Saw them when I bought mine from the dealership, figured some cleaner wax could get 'em out,...nope. Gonna grab a clay bar and pray for redemtion.

 

Well, after getting the Mini washed last night - it rained - mud. Yes, welcome to West Texas where occasional storms bring a few inches of New Mexico top soil to deposit on anything left outside. I sure will be glad to have our new house and a garage again!

Well, won't go through all the wash steps again but they were virtually identical. Spent a little more time on the rear of the car and Kenchan I can see where a q-tip with a little slick will work well - thanks.

Who would have ever thought that they would spend 1.5 hours on half of a Mini? Well I did tonight. Got the bonnet line forward and the driver door. Also did a good lot of work on a paint transfer line I had next to the petrol filler door. GREAT NEWS and thanks to all who suggested it. A goodly amount of work with the clay on both water spots and the transfer virtually eliminated both!

Got dark before I could get pictures but should finish up in the morning and will take some.

 

^^ hey, looking forward to your picts tomorrow.

 

You certainly achieved alot since I was last able to be here on NAM!

Your techniques all sound excellent to me.

I enjoyed the post-RaggTopp picture... at least from the "before" picture in your signature, the top looks much, much nicer! A nice dark top makes such a difference in the overall look of the car, IMO.

I understand your paranoia... although RaggTopp does wash off of the non-top areas, it can really be a major pain. Although I'm not normally a taper, I think it's best to do so when using a spray top protectant. Good choice!

I'm glad the clay worked on your water spots. Water spots can be a challenge and you never know what will work and what will not work. It depends so much on whether or not you had a durable wax on the paint to begin with, how hard the water was, how much intense sun treatment the spots were subjected to, etc, etc.

Clay is always a good place to start, IMO, and has a pretty decent success rate (especially if you had wax on the paint to begin with). As others already mentioned, sometimes you have to go to a paint cleanser and sometimes an abrasive. I've seen water spots that were etched so deeply into the paint that even after intense abrading/cutting, they were still there (although dramatically diminished). So, it's great news that they came off fairly easily!

It sounds like your officially part of the crazed OCD group now. Welcome! Keep us posted on your next steps.

-Heather