I have an 8 week old DS/B MCS. There's a brown dot on the air scoop on the bonnet about 1 mm in diameter. What I mean is, the brown dot is not on the bonnet itself, but the air scoop trim piece. I can't feel the brown dot with my finger, but I can see it pretty clearly.

Anyway, after reading the Ryephile Cronicles, I bought Wizard's Mist-n-Shine and Macguier's "overspray" clay.

The Mist-n-Shine was great for removing bird poop, but it wouldn't take out a 3 inch mark on the roof. I couldn't feel the mark with my finger, but I could see it in the right light. Sure enough, the clay bar removed the roof mark.

After this success, I attacked the brown dot on the air scoop with the clay bar, using the Mist-n-Shine as lubricant, but the brown dot held its ground.

Any suggestions for what to attack it with next? Is 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover the next step?

Yours in Mini fanaticism,
Dan

 

Anyone? Help me please.

 

look very close.. could it be a tiny hole/pit in the paint??? If so, touchup paint is your only hope.

 

Don't touch it or even attempt to remove it. It is a "beauty mark". Would Cindy Crawford or Marylin Monroe be half as alluring if they'd removed their "1mm brown dots"???!! I think not!

Your MINI is Movie Star Material, Dude. Don't get out the clay bars, get out your cell phone, call your agent, and "do lunch"!

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BLUBELLE - 9/02 production 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley and CAI, Unichip PnP ECU, Moss Skid Plate, Rear Fogs, Chrome Trim Interior. Motoring since 10/18/02.
I V-1 do you?

 

What do you think the brown dot is?

You might want to try 2 things: A strong detergent like Simple Green or a solvent such as rubbing alcohol.





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SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me

 

Redleg & Yucca, no, it's not a hole in the paint. It's perfectly smooth to the touch. I can't feel the 1 mm brown dot at all with my finger. I can only see it.

I just figured it was pollution, acid rain, etc. The clay bar ads all talk about it. For all I know, it's been there since I took delivery of the MCS two months ago.

Yucca, is it safe to use Simple Green right on the paint? I guess so, else you wouldn't have suggested it.

 

Simple Green is safe on the paint, but it will strip away any wax you have on there.

When my MINI gets real buggy, I spray it with simple green to dissolve the bugs before waxing. Some of the detailing nuts might disagree with me about the simple green, but I have used it for years and have had no problems other than knowing that I must re-wax afterwards.

It may be a rust spot from someone brake dust or something?

If it comes down to it. I might use a needle to pick through the paint to remove it. Then use touch up paint and Langka to perfectly replace the pinhole chip you just made.

http://www.langka.com

 

Knowing what the brown dot is would help. But let's say it's Mystery Material....lol

*I'd start with Wizards Bug Release. Let that soak for 30 seconds and wipe with a microfiber. No luck? Next step!
*Zymol Cleaner Wax. Not quite abrasive, but it'll definitely get the junk off - most of the time. Still there?
*3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover. This stuff is just about as aggresive I'd get on otherwise good paint. Read the directions! If the Mystery Material simply won't go away.....
*Wizards Turbo Cut! This would be my almost last resort. Most likely I'd do Finish Cut first, as it's less abrasive, but if Turbo Cut doesn't remove it, only sandpaper will! If you do have to use Turbo Cut, you must follow up with Finish Cut otherwise you'll not restore the clear-coat's gloss. My guess is you won't have to go this extreme to use either of the 'Cut's, as they are quite aggressive.

My guess is the 3M SWR will be the ticket. It might take a few rounds, but be patient!. In the rare instance your paint has been stained, you may want to seek Warranty repair. If MINI is as uncooperative as they usually are, you may want to repaint the scoop.

Whew, best of luck!
Ryan

 

Many, many thanks Yucca & Ryephile.

I just re-checked my Mini, and in the bright sunlight, it seems less brown and just more like a dull spot. Still can't feel it. I tried to take a picture, but you can't see it in the picture.

I'll try everything everyone recommended.

I'm also glad Yucca pointed out Langka. I've got a couple rock chips in the front that I've been wanting to take care of.

Thanks everyone!

 

Langka is awesome! I did about 50 rock chips on my old 2001 VW GTI and you could not tell that I had fixed them. Much better than having a glob of touch up paint sticking up and looking worse than the chip itself!

And you can definitely trust Ryephile for any detailing information. The guy is NUTS about it and knows his stuff! If I did anything more than Zymol wax, I'd be contacting him for any detailing-related tips.

I'm sure he is cringing at my suggestion of Simple Green, but he's nice enough not to mention it!



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SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me

 

Hmmm, maybe my clay bar *did* get rid of the brown part, and now I only need to restore the gloss of the clear coat???

Any recommendations on a product for restoring the clear coat gloss?

Thanks again and I promise to shut up now.

 

look, no paint job is perfect... couldn't it simply be an imperfection in the paint?? If so, it won't come out. Your choices are to live with it or to take to a paint shop.