I should be getting my 05 Black/Black S with chrome exterior/interior next week. I'm trying to sort out all of the info on cleaning the MINI and keeping it

looking great. Here's what I got so far. Please critique and suggest and help me get this down right. I plan on starting this regimine from day 1. I

don't plan on washing/polishing/waxing the MINI right away..will follow schedule below, so wash in 2 weeks, then wax in 2 months then polish/wax in 4-6

months...if this should be altered, let me know


Daily:
California Duster (OXO Good Grips MINI duster)...wipe this over the outside (body, windows, and trim?) each day
Every other day, Sonus Acrylic Spritz on a general purpose waffle-weave microfiber towel (can i use now, even before i apply the klasse all-in-one and sealant glaze and wax?)...use to wipe down the outside of the car (just body, or body and

trim and chrome?)...Also, wet another towel with water and wipe down the interior (dash, seats, windows)...1z vinyl cleaner if any stains on dash/seats


Every other week:
Wet with hose
Wash with Sonus Gloss Shampoo (body, trim, chrome, wheels)
p21s on wheels
303 on seats, dash, tires, trim
1z glass cleaner on windows (inside and out)
plexus plastic polish on headlights (xenons), taillights
ultimate drying towel (microfiber) to dry the car
(no water blade, cause don't wanna risk scratching)

Use microfiber towels for all of this? Or should I get some brushes, sponges, mitts, etc (which ones?)


Every other month:
follow normal weekly washing session
then use Klasse ALL-IN-ONE with foam applicator pad...buff out with microfiber
then use Klasse Sealant Glaze with terry cloth towel...buff out with microfiber
then use p21s carnuba wax with foam applicator...buff out with microfiber buffing towel
then use 1z metal polish on chrome parts, the wheels, exhaust pipes (or should i use luster lace on exhaust?)
also, wax the wheels after polishing them?

Every 4-6 months:
follow the Perfect Shine process...claybar, polish, swirl remove, then normal waxing routine




Please correct, advise, etc

 

No doubt you have a good plan! If you are like me you will probably want to clean the rims daily! I picked up some m/f mitts for washing and they work well. Do you have a "blue drying towel"? I couldn't do without it.

Get ready to dust the back alot....you will learn young MINI jedi!

 

Congratulations on the new ride! Your plan is basically sound but let me critique a few points.

1. Why not wax right away? You should. The paint is cured when you receive it and you should protect it NOW. In fact, it will arrive with some embedded debris in the surface already (rail dust and fallout particles) and should be clayed first prior to a waxing. It will make a huge difference even in a showroom fresh car. Check this out. Here's a great clay deal! Clay Magic is one of my top three favorite clays.

2. If you have the time, you should wash weekly. And quick detail during the week. I've never known ANY place where a car could last two weeks of driving without needing a wash.

3. You quick detail with a plush MF towel. Not a waffleweave. Waffleweaves are designed for drying. The "pockets" or waffle texture grab and absorb the water. To properly quick detail you need a quality plush towel such as this.

4. Yes, you can apply quick detailer at any time, even before you wax. But like I said, you should wax right away.

5. You should QD the paint, and chrome, you can also QD the side glass.

6. For the interior, I wouldn't necessarily wipe down with water, I would use a dressing. Water isn't actually "bad", but it will streak and will break down the dressing over time. Use the 1Z Cleaner as necessary and at least once a month. Then use the dressing of your choice, I like something low gloss like 303 Aerospace, weekly or every other week depending how dusty things get. I am just talking just a quick wipe to remove the dust, etc. Five minutes. Not a intricate detail job. It doesn't build up.

7. Plexus on the exterior lights is unecessary. Skip this. Plexus is best on soft plastic (like convertible top windows) or interior gauge plastic.

8. 303 is not the best protectant for tires. It's a really matte finish which is great for interior. But tires look better with a blacker look. (I am not talking "fake" super shiny-I hate that) I would suggest something like 1Z Rubber Care or similar.

9. Make sure you use a quality wash mitt and use it properly.

10. Use a $2 "foam ended" bottle brush to keep the INSIDE of your wheels clean. You can easily reach inside. Get them at the grocery store, Wal Mart, etc.

11. Wax the inside and outside of the wheels with Klasse AIO as well as your body. It will help dispel the brake dust.

12. Klasse AIO lasts several months. No need to apply it every other month. Do this a couple times a year, tops. Klasse AIO and Klasse SG should BOTH be applied with a foam applicator.

13. If you want to top the Klasse with P21S carnauba, that's fine. It's a great combo. But honestly, Your process is a little overkill. I would apply Klasse AIO, two coats, which will give you maximum protection for months. Then go right to the P21S. Skip the KSG. You will be covering the extra pop of clear gloss the KSG gives by applying the P21S which has a different, deeper look. You are defeating the "sealant look" with a "carnauba look". So why waste the time and money on the extra sealant step? Make sense?

14. Only use metal polish if the chrome is dirty...really dirty. And that only usually happens to the bottom of the exhaust tips. In that case I like to use NeverDull for low abrasiveness and convenience. Otherwise wax the chrome to protect it and QD it often.

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you! That's very helpful; just what i was looking for.

So the weekend after I get my car, I'll go ahead and
wash, claybar, AIO, wax the MINI (use AIO, not wax on wheels)

And when I quick detail, I'll use the spritz on my chrome and even the side windows (just not the windshield or back).

I'll just wipe down the interior with a dry cloth for dust during the week and then use 303 each week when i wash it, using the z1 cleaner as needed.

I'll use those plush mf towels for the detailing, interior and exterior

I'll ditch the plexus and the metal polish and Klasse Sealant Glaze

I'll use z1 rubber care on the tires instead of 303

Thanks for the suggestions on what to wash with (mitt) and brush tires with.

So now I just need to get a better handle on the MF towels...

I'll get polishing towels (plush) and an ultimate drying towel

i'll use the polishing towels for everything but drying?

so i'll QD with polishing towels (dry inside, spritz outside)
i'll wash with the sheepskin wash mitt
i'll dry with ultimate drying towel
i'll claybar with clay/spray
i'll AIO with foam applicator pad...then buff with polishing towel
i'll wax with foam applicator pad...then buff with polishing towel
i'll brush tires with foam-brush bottle end

basically EVERY part of the outside can be waxed except the glass and tires (black trim, chrome, plastic, wheels) if i use a carnuba wax like p21s...and those same parts can all be Quick Detailed with the spritz and AIO'd before the wax


So i'll pick up:
tools:
OXO mini duster
6-pack polishing towels
1 ultimate drying towel
2-pack general purpose towels (needed? for what?)
1 sheepskin mitt
1 foam-ended bottle brush (i'll try to find...still unsure exactly what this is)
1 claymagic clay bar
1 bucket (should be two-sided?)
2 hand-grip foam applicators


product:
Sonus Acrylic Spritz
1z glass cleaner
303 aerospace
1z vinyl cleaner
1z rubber care
sonus gloss shampoo
p21s wheel cleaner
klasse AIO
p21s wax (out of stock, any others that are equal for my first waxes?)


is that it (lol) ?

Am i missing any product/tool/step?

Do I really need a concours buffing towel for the wax buffing, or is one of those polishing towels fine?

Lastly, should i wash the car with Dawn before I do anything to remove the factory wax?

Appreciate it,
Nicholas

 

I Think you got it!

But don't wax the rubber trim.

Check your Private Messages for some more info.

BTW...here is what a bottle brush looks like:

 

oh, ok...that's what the brush is

and u say don't wax the rubber trim...is all the black trim that lines the bottom of the car rubber trim? can i AIO it or just use 303 and that's it? i had read that it looks good when waxed with caranuba, which is why i thought i'd do that

is there factory wax that i need to Dawn off first thing? or can i just wash dry clay aio wax

thanks for all the help

 

Yes, the black lower and wheel well trim is, more correctly, plastic trim. That and the rubber window trim should never be waxed with anything. Use a plastic/rubber dressing like 303 or 1Z rubber dressing. I like the 1Z better because it's a bit more durable for exterior use and, like on tires, has a bit more visual "pop".

There is no factory wax, but sometimes dealers apply junk it's never a bad idea to Dawn wash (just a few drops in a gallon bucket) to create a virgin surface and help insure a good bond for your AIO sealant.

Your gonna take good care of your baby, I can tell. I love it!

 

Definately do the Dawn wash! MINI, like most foreign car manufacturers, coat the entire exterior of the car with a parafin like coating before putting it on the boat (salt and light impact protection). They use a hot water pressure wash to remove this when it touches solid ground again, but the oily residue is still there.... and God only knows what the dealer will do to it.

 

Wow, this is a scary thread...

Tonight on 20/20, a disturbing look inside the minds of the obsessive-complusive.

 

thanks for everything...i think i'm about there

one last question:

why do i use sonus acrylic spritz instead of sonus carnauba spritz?

 

Nicholas, Congrats on the new S...I have the same color!

May I suggest that you IMMEDIATELY install a clear bra on the bonnet and over the lights? I wish I had done so! It is basically undetectable on the Black MINIs!:smile:

After several cross-country jaunts in my Wanda, she's got lots of battle scars, and at some point I will have the bonnet re-painted and install a clear bra. :smile:

And, believe me, with that black/black color combo, you will wash your MINI more than any car you've ever owned! Sometimes, I wash her EVERY OTHER DAY!

You will love your new baby! And the chrome accents, which were not available when I spec'd Wanda, will be awesome! Enjoy!

Clover

 

clear bra at dealers? or from a shop? or install myself?

what is it and how much does it cost

 

Well, that really depends on what your ultimate topper is. If you end up with the carnauba topper, like P21S, then use the carnauba spritz. If you just stick with Klasse and no topper (which is fine, too), then use the acrylic spritz.

 

Many dealers install them, but you'll pay a premium for that. Do a search her on NAM and see what comes up. Because of the bonnets curvy shape, I'd hesitate doing an DIY install.

Where are you located? If in SoCal, dtlman here on NAM, who installed my Union Jack Sunroof Flag, does the bra install using top-notch 3M product. PM him and get his price, just to get an idea. I believe he also is getting his all-black MCS next week!

Clover

 

Xpel or Ultrashield are popular brands. (the film is made by 3M, just the pattern is slightly different between the companies) I have clear bras on all my cars. It is not a DIY job for the MINI. Check the locator on the website and find an installer near you for an estimate on installation. You can look at the parts cost on the website.

 

Good one

 

well anytime i apply AIO, i'll be putting p21s on top of it...so carnauba may be best...but the wax will wear off before the AIO does, so after a month or so, should i switch over to the acrylic kind?

 

i just did the Perfect Shine proces on my MCS the other day. i can't believe the shine and richness of color now. my car has almost 22k miles and is about 19 months old now. the finish is smooth as glass and interior looks as good as new. i used all the recommended products (clay, Klasse, P21S, 303) except for the P21S paintwork cleanser, which i replaced with store bought Zymol Cleaner Wax that i had laying around. i think the results are still amazing. the most surprising thing of the whole process was the 303 and how well it worked and how much i love it! cleans and shines interior plastics wonderfully, not glossy at all brings back that off the showroom floor look, and also works awesome on the exterior plastics (fender flares). it cleaned off all the old and new wax residue and did not leave a stubborn stain on the paint around the fenders, it buffed off very easily. i will be recommending this to everyone i know that is as **** about their cars appearance as i am. congrats on the new whip and good luck.:smile:

 

It kinda depends upon what your goals are, as far as finish. Since AIO is your base, P21S is "great", abeit a carnuba, it has short durability. It's just one of those things you have to live with when dealing with carnubas If you want a "good" shine and extreme durability, then go with Klasse SG.

P21S is a great value, but if you want the "killer" shine, especially on black, check out Pinnacle Souveran wax. It's what car show shines are made of. But it probably has the worst durability.

 

thanks for all ur help...

i've had my MINI for 20 days now and I love it...I did the whole dawn/seal/wax routine the first weekend and then dust it in between washings when it doesn't rain...it's been raining a lot tho, so first time using the QD spritz was yesterday and it looks GREAT...

quick question tho...what should i use to apply the 1z to the tires? and just do the sidewalls, right? i wasn't gonna use a microfiber towel cause that'd get pretty dirty it seems, but is that what i should use? the tires are the only part i haven't really cared for yet..

 

Yes, just do the sidewalls. It takes too much time getting out at the Stop Signs keeping the treads clean. I gave up on that a long time ago.

I use EagleOne Tire Swipes to apply dressing to the tires and much of the other trim. They work great. Or use cheap foam applicators that you would use for wax application. Don't use rags or towels. Too messy.

 

Those foam bottle brushes are proving to be rather elusive......maybe BradB bought 'em all up (only kidding Brad ).

 

I have a few extra.

Send $29.95 to.....

 

Only 'a few', Brad?

I've seen the pictures of your garage... I'd be willing to bet that there is a large plastic bin labled "Foam Bottle Brushes" somewhere in your garage... it probably has 40 or 50 of them in there...

 

Target sells a decent MF towel, large und small, "de Sol" some generic brand . Clean easily with almost zero lint. I have 2 large ($8 each) for washin and 5 small (2 for $6) for QD.

Anyone use Vinylex for their black plastic exterior trim? Jimbo