Been awhile since I've been on here (see title). Had surgery at the end of November on my right knee. Ended up that the stuff that was supposed to be holding the inside of my knee in place was actually over my knee cap (only took two years to find that out). Well, just now getting to be anywhere near healthy. Some things have slid during my recovery.

Brace yourselves.


Haven't washed my beloved Mini since October.

It obviously needs a complete detail. don't know if I'm up to it but the guilt is starting to get me. Got all the stuff, just need the energy and enough pain killers.

Wish me luck so I can get it done soon.

 

cadfael- wow, long time no post! dang, sorry to hear about your knee. ouch.

no wash since october... but you have a very valid reason.
i suppose you can start easy with a quick wash and some Hydro.

 

Glad to hear your recovering. Kens idea is a good start, and you can spread the hard core detailing work out over a few days. No use going to hard and setting back your recovery.

Mark

 

I guess your in Texas. If you were in Tennessee I would say bring the Mini over and I would wash her for you. I too have had knee surgery and doing a lot better now. Take you time on washing and don't slip.

 

The important thing is for you to get better.

The last time my car was washed was back in November . But forunately, my car isn't that dirty at all. My area only got one significant snow fall (if you can all 3" significant) so the roads were only salted once. Also, my car spends most of the time inside the garage and it's only driven during the weekends.

Still debating if I should even clay at all this spring

 

Was in Texas now at Fort Rucker Alabama but still a little far away

 

Well, started. Washed and did the wheels with Wheel Shield so it's a start.

 

Wow C-tex, sorry to hear about your mishap, but glad your on the mend. I'm having my left ACL replaced on 4-2, so I'm finding your situation extremely topical. I guess the lesson I'm to learn here is make sure that Nilla is fully detailed before surgery.

 

That's one of only 4 valid reasons for not washing a MINI for more than 2 weeks. So, you're okay here.

As others have said, take it easy on that knee and just do a quick wash and dry with Hydro. Once you feel almost completely recovered, then you can do the full detail. Hydro will hold the MINI over until then.

Good luck on your continued recovery !

 

It's amazing what getting in and out of Blackhawks and other assorted things will do to a knee with the kneecap between the leg bones for 2 years. I'd almost forgotten that I didn't have black rims

 

I can sympathize with the two of you with your knee problems... my situation
is a little bit different though.

My Mini is in order, and will not be at my dealer until the first week of April.

Unfortunately, I go in for my knee 'scope Tuesday morning, the 18th.
Good thing its just a slight Meniscal tear. May even just be scar tissue from
a previous surgery in 2000. Hope I'm up to driving over to Cincinnati 2 weeks
after the surgery to pick up my new Mini .

It's good to be a mailman , and Lortabs are my friend. (Plus it's only about a 3 hour drive...)

Hope everyone heals quick. Best of luck.

 

Well, it's done. Not perfect but at least I don't feel like I'm a bad Mini parent with a dirty child running loose anymore.

Clayed last night. got the PC out for the Amigo and Epic today. Doesn't look too bad

 

Are you healthy enough to take a pic ??

Seriously, I bet you feel better now that it's done. Psychologically, that is. Physically, probably not. But hope you're not huring too much.

 

Not too much. Was going to try and take a picture tomorrow when the Epic has cured.

 

Good. And good.

 

Stay at it, it will get better. I had a total knee replacement in August of 07. Five days later I was driving myself to PT in my MINI and it was my left (clutch) knee that was replaced. Now six months later and I don't even think about it. So when you get a little older and they tell you that you need a new knee, don't fret it, assuming you go to the right Dr.

YD

 

WOW, driving five days later is amazing. My dad has had his replaced and he was not anywhere near that fast of a recover and he is one tough guy.

 

Thulchatt, I sent you a PM about the Dr. I wish your Dad all the best.

YD

 

if you dont feel up to the challenge of a good detail, sell it and buy a clean one!

 

As long as we're on the shame page, I'll admit here that our first drive home included an emergency WalMart stop (sunglasses, sunblock, and hats) as well as a pit stop at McDonalds for milkshakes. I had visions of pristinely kept interiors and lifelong avoidance of brutal boxstore parking lots, but the dream died on day 1.

In my defense, we were on the return leg of a 300 mile trip (each way) to pick up our new MCSC, and we had to appease bleary-eyed Dad (me) in his hour ten of driving and grumpy eight-year old still adjusting to the confines of the backseat.

Good luck to everyone's knees. Now I know what have to look forward to as I don't go gently in to that good night.

 

I hope you have a low stool to sit on while working, really saves those old bones

Mark

 

Low stool is definitely on the list now. Pics to come, Sunday afternoon napp lasted too long.

 

Now you're talking about your "stools"!

Go back outside and wash the MINI again.

 

Bum news, cadfael_tex! You definitely get a free pass!

Glad to hear you did get a chance clean it up though... not because you had to but because it was probably getting to you after all this time! Perhaps a little therapeutic too??

I agree with lotsie... a low stool would probably be a big help.

Take it easy!

-Heather

 

Well, got busy and didn't get pictures after the detail. So I got some today after the first wash after the detail...