Took her home on 7/10/07. It's been almost two months and I have not washed or waxed her. Dealer owed me a detail so she was detailed two weeks after delivery. It hardly rained here in Portland area but it's been 6 weeks!! When I had my Z3 I washed and waxed twice a week for the first year. What's happening? I always garaged the Z3 but I park the MINI in the driveway and I am not bothered. The cost difference is about $12000 but I love driving the MINI as much as I enjoyed driving the Z3. I don't understand myself. I love my MINI....I do.

 

Okay...you asked for it. I'm moving this over to the detailing forum. Prepare yourself for the reaction of the *OCDetailers!

*Obsessive Compulsive Detailers

 

Shame on you! I think ours gets washed twice a week--hubby can't STAND a dirty car!

Honestly, they're so little it's a quick job!

 

Okay... hand me the keys.

Now. Turn around slowly. Bend your head down in shame.

And just walk away.

 

Wow, that just seems like too long without a rub-a-dub-dub.

I have to admit that Shelby Jr. is only getting a bath about once a week. We are in near dought status here and I haven't had to drive in the rain yet.

 

jeez ... some people don't know how to have any fun! If you take care of your MINI, your MINI will take care of you. If you don't take care of your MINI we will take care of you.

 

im not surprised. my commuters dont get washed for a month if i dont
feel like washing it.

 

the mini handles better, and after years, has a better resale value.

z3 = pwnd.

the mini also looks better when you take care of it. the curves and interesting aspects of it make it pop.

wash it weekly with high grade car soap and 2 buckets. Use Hydro from Detailer's Paradise if you want to make it shine every few weeks but dont want to bother doing a full wax job. that's the easiest formula for a good looking mini.

 

We're going to have to confiscate your MINI Enthusiast ID Card. You're now on probation. To come off probie and earn your ID Card back...you'll have to fully detail your MINI, take some pics, and post them for us to review.

Sorry...desperate situations require desperate measures.

 

Beat 'im w/ a wet wash mitt!!

 

Man, Clara hasn't been washed since Friday and I feel guilty....

But really, the car is so small that if even if you're OCD about it, it takes like half an hour.

Just do it!

 

Wow, July 10th delivery and no warm bath yet? You could get tarred and feathered here for that!

 

Wow. Are you sure you love your MINI?
15 minutes to wash and dry....short and sweet! And HYDRO only takes about 10 more minutes

 

How long have you lived in Portland????? our nice weather won't last for long, so get of yer *** and wash your car. You'll be glad you did. Nice color BTW.

 

Don't fell bad....I'm right there with you. I picked up mine on 7/26 and it's only been washed 3 times....and one of those was because the dealer washed it while they had it for some warranty service.

 

OCD sin number one.
Dealers install many things, including swirls. (At least my dealer must have been working at it. )

 

I just washed my car 2x in a week. I like doing that if I have the time.

Makes washing super fast. I use mystique, seems to lift dirt rapidly.

 

Wow, that's a trip! I'm not trying to shame you because I don't have time to wash my mini 2x a week, hell I don't have time to wash her weekly!

Luckily the Chili Cart has a nice garage to sleep in and I use a Paradise Concours Duster in-between washings.

I wash every 2 weeks unless she gets really dirty, then I wash her again!!

Don't your wheels get nasty?

 

I now washed my car 3x within 8 days.

It gets easier and easier to clean, faster and faster. so, why not?

 

I just washed in the dark. I didn't want to, but I had no choice, when I got home it was dark and I have to leave earrrrly in the morning tomorrow.

I didn't do my wheels though. There was no way to see what I was doing.

 

Hey El Jefe, how long does it take you?

 

Well, it takes 40 minutes to start and stop the process of washing.

I also use Plexus on the clear plastic exterior, fogs, turn signals, headlamp covers, rear covers, etc. I also use Stoner's on the windows.

Griot's soap added 10-15 minutes of washing time. The soap wasnt as strong, it needed more than one pass on the areas near the wheels. Also, the water comes off my car easier with Epic/hydro layer and using mystique. I use the slow open hose after rinsing technique. Works great. Paste wax from griot's was awesome for that, but soon it picked up contaminants and wouldnt dry as easily. Epic/hydro keeps on consistently repeling water after weeks of use and wash.

I also spray griot's SpeedShine on the wheels and wipe with a towel after washing. This step keeps them cleaner for longer. I have wheel wax on. That whole process is exactly one hour from getting the buckets to throwing my towels in the washing machine. thats about 15 minutes less about than using griot's soap. It is just odd how fast and easy mystique works. I wonder if it also depends on the Epic and hydro repelling basic dust and grime better.

 

Thats called abuse my friend no:

My commuter car as of today...

 

I didn't clean or vacuum my interior until a year after taking delivery. Now it's coming up to the 2nd year anniversary and maybe I should vacuum one more time. Really, though, it looks fine. The Cocomats look great and hide the dirt very well.

 

wow. well. hm. i live in a very citified suburb of ny city. There isnt a large amount of dirt around here. The car gets dirty within 2 weeks of using it 6x a week.

some people just think their car is not dirty My car's interior is cleaner than when I picked it up from the dealer a year ago. shrugs

I guess people dont mind dust stuck places and all that. must be nice