My Mini needs a bath and good coat of wax this weekend. Obviously, I don't have time to order all the great products mentioned in this forum. In the future I will be ordering some of the ones you've all given rave reviews, but I wanted to wash and wax this weekend.

So, what can I buy locally (i.e. now) at a Wal-Mart, Auto Parts store, Target, or anywhere that carries good quality detailing products? Essentially, I am looking for a good car-wash soap and a great wax. I read about Banana Gloss, and I like the sound of it, so something equivalent would be nice.

If I also purchase something to wash with, something to dry with, and something to apply wax with, what should I get? I know I should get microfiber, but should I get those specific to automotive use, or is any microfiber towel going to cut it? Is the typical auto-parts store or Wal-Mart going to carry auto-specific towels like the ones sold from Prima or elsewhere?

Sorry, I am a total car-detailing Noob. I had a Jeep for 7 years and a good old cotton rag and old beach towels worked fine! I want to do better on the Mini, but I don't want to go "all out." I want to keep it very simple, but still effective.

 

Pepper White, I would get Turtle Wax Ice wash and the pack of microfibers from Costco. Not the best microfiber but good to have around after you order the better ones. If your car hasn't been clay bared you may want to feel the paint to see if its rough or has any bonded contaminents then buy the Meguiars clay kit. I would also buy Meguiars nxt 2 polish and some 303 aerospace for your trim. You haven't spent too much money and its some of the better over the counter stuff . That will get your addiction started and you can drop another couple hundred at detailer's paradise and be set for a couple years.
For washing a genuine sheepskin mit is my preference and the walmart one is not bad.

 

Thanks mini44!

Quick question, though - does the aerospace make the trim shiny? I'm not a fan of the trim looking "Armor All-ed." I have a Sam's membership, but no Costco... I'll check there for microfiber towels.

Just the suggestions I needed, though! Thanks.

 

i say three things:

- clay bar your car first (use and clay bar at walmart)
- zaino wax (amazing stuff but might have to order it, well worth it)
- 303

and no, the 303 uses no oil in it so it will be shiny for about 15 minutes until it dries. and it just looks clean and brand new. its amazing stuff. i just used it a few weeks ago. its not the same as armor all (all greasy).

 

for off-the-shelf stuff, i would use Meg's GoldClass wash, MF
wash mitt, MF drying towel (blot dry only), rubbing alcohol diluted
with distilled water in a spray bottle (50/50) to remove old wax,
some claybar kit they might have with QD, ScratchX to polish any
swirls usinga foam pad, and finish off with NXT TechWax2.0.

also, get a large 5gallon bucket at homedepot if your autoparts store
doesn't have one.

if you have the time and patience, it could look as good as any
well detailed car. get extra MF plush towels.

 

So how'd it turn out. How about some pics?

 

Zaino ships pretty quick, so does Detailer's Paradise.

Or.. look up your local MINI club and make some friends! I know I for one am always willing to open up my garage and detailing cabinet to fellow MINIacs if they need help or to borrow a few supplies. For the price of a meal or just entertaining me for an afternoon you can see what you like and how to use it.

 

Ooh - I will have to provide some new pictures. I went to an empty parking garage and took some pretty cool shots while it was fresh and shiny. I don't have them accessible right now.

It turned out great. From what I could get my hands on here, I ended up with some microfiber towels from Wal-Mart that seemed as good as any, a sheepskin wash mitt that I ended up really liking, and a soft bristle nylon brush. Even got a new bucket! Can't beat the $1.99 plastic bucket! I used Dawn to wash it this time since I wanted to get any possibility of wax off of it. The nylon brush was great on the wheels and tires, and also was very beneficial for the black "mesh" plastic in the grill and in the back bumper.

The wax I ended up using, I liked a lot (granted, I didn't have any other product to compare it to) - I bought some Meguiar's that is a spray-on (Quik Wax). It was very easy to use, very easy to buff off. I really liked it and would use it again.

I didn't end up using clay - I really didn't think it needed it right now. However, my 7-year old Jeep we washed and waxed the next day could use a clay-bar job very much, but we just didn't have time on the ol' girl.