I got my Cooper S about a month ago, with 2300 miles on it from the dealer. It was used as a service loaner, so the good thing is that it was washed often. However, the bad thing is that it was washed often and that left some nice swirling in the hood and on the hind quarters. I decided to try to remove some of that with a cleaner wax applied by hand and clay bar. I wasn't expecting much, but here's the process.

before:


before: (water spots are from an in-ground sprinkler system)


wash with Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash and wash wheels with Simple Green Marine, undiluted, and rinsed well


post wash:


clay bar on the hood. Not much came up so I didn't do other panels. Clay Magic kit.


Then Meguiar's #6 Mirror Glaze Cleaner Wax all around, by hand, with medium pressure. It didn't do much on the hood, but everywhere else cleaned up very nicely.




clean glass and pillars all around with Stoner Invisible Glass

Herr Stig demands clean glass


To protect on top of the cleaner wax, I used Turtle Wax Ice, a synthetic that I've had good luck with in the past. Here's a post shot:


I then waxed my wheels with Meguiar's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax. It's thicker than the TW Ice and easier to buff off, so it's better on the wheels.


To get that 'wet' look, I topped the TW Ice with Meguiar's #26 Yellow Caranuba wax. I've never used a caranuba or paste wax before, so it was more of an experiment.


I then dressed all exterior plastics and trim with Aerospace 303 Protectant


Afters:






Interior shots. It didn't need cleaning. I use Aerospace 303 on everything.




I'm going to need to get a hold of a DA buffer and some polish with more cut for the hood, but I'm happy with the results overall. The color is Highclass Grey, a rare "Mini Yours" color, which is like BMW Individual, MB Designo, etc.

Comments and advice appreciated!
:thumbup:

 

Wow, a ton of work but worth it : thumbs up :

 

What was more work... detailing the MINI or posting all those pics ? Lol

Looks much better. Especially considering that color isn't very reflective.

Yeah, if you're going to be serious about taking care of your paint, invest in a good random orbital buffer.

 

I just copied the image URL from Facebook...not too much work. You should see forum posts by the professionals (detailers domain, etc). Literally hundreds of pictures, I don't know how they do it.

P.S. If you want to see a lot of work, check this out.
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=81391

 

I like the photos... all of them.

And yes, full detailing is a long process. Here's mine:

Simple Green sprayed on engine bay.
Wash exterior.
Dry exterior.
Rinse engine bay.
Spot clean stubborn engine spots with more SG/toothbrush.
Clay entire car.
Wash again.
Dry again.
Prima Swirl polish using r/o buffer.
Repeat if necessary.
Prima Amigo using buffer.
Prima Finish polish using buffer.
Prima Epic wax by hand.
Prima Banana Gloss by hand.
Then it's time to start the interior.

2 x a year x 3 cars.

 

Nice process. You have more patience/time than I
What RO buffer do you have? I was thinking about a Porter Cable, but in the end it doesn't make sense since I'll have the school for most of the year, where I won't have a chance to use it. My friend has a Flex I might borrow before the end of the summer.

Do you cover anything in the engine bay when using simple green?

 

Ha... true, takes a lot of time and patience but it's so rewarding when you finish and your MINI looks as good, or better, than the day you got it.

I have a Porter Cable. Very well made and easy to use.

When I clean the engine bay, I just cover the CAI.

 

I'm a newbie to detailing but my father gave me an old but barely used PC 7335 r/o buffer. I'd like to eventually do the above process on my 2012 MC (that has some swirling from the dealer) but have no idea what pads to use. Can you share what make/model of pads you use? I read on another site that for the older PC's it's best to use thinner pads.
Thanks

 

#6 Meguiar's, takes me back. Used many bottles of that over the years on many different cars.

 

Been using the pads I got from Griot's Garage for 7 years. Not the same ones, of course. Lol. The orange one on my first pass with the least fine polosh, then I go to the softer, black pad for the remaining polishes.

Thin pads may give you faster results since less of the product is soaking into the pad but I can't believe you end up with a better result.

 

Try Barkeepers Friend on those tail pipes. Cleans that black soot and leaves a bright shine inside and out.

+1 on Griot's pads. Use a black marker to write WAX on the side of one and POLISH on the other so you don't...you know...WAX on POLISH off.

To help keep swirls at bay, use two buckets, wash and rinse. Doubt the dealer did and more than likely didn't use MF to dry. Octaneguy and Griot's have excellent MF cloth as opposed to that big box store junk.

One caution: There is no vaccine or cure for OCD car care syndrome.

 

Lake County makes nice pads too. IIRC in order, yellow, orange and white for polish. Black, red and blue for glazes and waxes.

Drying with a leaf blower is best.

 

Looks very nice. Megs #26 wax I used often when I was actively maintaining my cars. I also use it for a topper on my sealed granite in the house. Love Aerospace 303!!

 

wouldn't doing Prima Finish negate what you did with Amigo since Finish is a light polish??

 

Nope, it's less abrasive than Amigo and I use it with the least dense pad so it's the "finish"ing touch to the polish before the wax is applied.

Here's a testimory to my process. You think you're looking at my CR MINI ??



That's a picture of the door of my Jet Black MINI. You're seeing a reflection.

Another shot taken that same day, little further back:



Now that is a shiny MINI !

 

Love this! Very nice looking MINI!

 

Thanks ! Here's a full shot of it:

 

I've got a beer fridge bulging with craft ales. When can you be over? It's only about an 8 hour drive. I'll share

 

hahaha.... bring MINIs to me and I'll be glad to detail them ! Only thing is, you have to help tape it off and watch the whole process. Takes a good 8-10 hours depending on the condition of the paint. Fair deal ?!

 

Good job there! First time I've heard of a service loaner with a manual gearbox.

 

Dang, I wasn't paying close enough attention. You're in Maryland and I was looking at the quote posted by Nrob in St. Louis and got that mixed up. You are too far away. By the time I got back home, it would need to be done all over again. Oh well, I do have a random orbital. Guess I'll just have to do it m'self. Thanks for the offer, though.

 

Oh yeah, that is pretty far, I went out to St Louis to buy that MINI in 2007 but driving that far for a detailing job... probably not worth it.

 

When I placed my first order for detailing supplies with OctaneGuy I entered that I would pick up my order in order to save on shipping. So, Richard called me to ask if I realized that they are in California. I am in Florida.
I keep threatening to show up out there one day though.
I would love to motor to California and treat Little Wing to a "spa" day with OctaneGuy!
I am sick to be missing MTTS 2012.

 

Richard is a world-class detailer but 3,000 miles ? Hmmmmmm.... Oh heck, why not ?! Road trip !!

 

Just think of the fun you could have: A little MOTD on the Tail of the Dragon - up into western Kentucky and catch 160 as you go into Missouri towards Branson, Drop down and experience MITO thru Eureka Springs, AR then pick up Rt 66 at Baxter Spring and visit Tow Mater then on west thru Colorado and get a little MITM solo time then on to Rt. 50 (Lincoln Highway) into CA and meet up with Richard tired but with a huge grin staining your countenance. I envy the heck out of you if you do it. Be sure to pack a lunch.