Been reading the Detailing 101 thread but it's still too overwhelming for me. So much info to absorb. Before I pick up my car, what products I need for my first car wash? BTW my '10 DS MCS has bonnet stripes. I'm too intimidated to post on that thread. Please advise. Thanks in advance!

 

Stick with the detailing thread, you will find everythng you want to know there, just post this inquiry there.

 

Quick and easy to get started: A good quality wool wash mitt for the body, a second mitt (microfiber or chenille) for the wheels and dirty bits, 2 clean buckets (one soap, one clear rinse) and good quality wash soap (Turtle Wax Ice isn't bad, or a Meguires shampoo) will take care of the wash part. Rinse the soapy mitt well before returning it to the shampoo bucket. You want to get rid of all those particles the soap picked up so they don't get reintroduced to the paint on your next pass.

Rinse by removing the nozzle from the hose and sheet the water from the roof downwards and dry with a soft waffle-weave car towel (I've seen those at the auto parts stores packaged by Meguires). The basic idea is the less you touch the car, the less swirls and scratches you'll add to the paint.

I use Prima products and buy them from Richard (OctaneGuy) in Orange County. It is well worth the drive to his shop to check out the products and get some free hands-on demonstrations on how to properly use the products. He's even running a free detail clinic on Wednesday evenings.

Pop into the detail forum and say hello. We're a friendly bunch!

 

Thanks guys!

 

Prima all the way.

 

that's exactly what we did before we took delivery of our baby, so we went down to OctaneGuy on a Wednesday for one of his clinics and learned a lot about detailing and the products. check out this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-new-car.html

 

The best way to learn about caring for your MINI is to take it one step at a time and realize that EVERYBODY has an opinion. I try to base my steps on logic..pay special attention to how you touch the car..whether during washing, maintaining, or just day to day activities.

When you are touching it, say with a wash mitt, or sponge, consider what rubbing the dirt on the paint will do, and why its important to be aware of this.

Same as when you dry it, or are just trying to wipe off a smudge you see.

Be mindful of these things, and take the right precautions, and you'll be on your way to safely caring for your new MINI.

Here's a video I made a few years ago on how to wash my first MINI safely. My then partner Mike Phillips of Meguiar's hosted it.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...7401372&hl=en#

I was in San Diego this morning picking up some MINI gear from a fellow WCMer. It's not a bad drive up or down.

Richard