I must have missed that! Oh well, they'll have to live with me using it on my plain old factory web spokes!

 

I picked up that wheel brush and some Meguiars #40 as suggested. Got out there again this weekend.

 

So I have a silly question for those of you who REALLY know how to wash your cars: When waxing your cars, do you wax over any vinyl (such as the bonnet stripes) or do you wax around them, and just treat them with 303 aerospace protectant? Now the warmer weather is here, and I can actually wash my car at home, and I think I'll try the Zaino products, but I'm not really sure about these details. Also, how do you treat the moonroof? Thanks!!!

 

You can definitely wax over vinyl graphics. Especially with Zaino.

 

I use rain-X on the side windows and and just clay the front and back windshields but the moonroof just gets washed and dried with a towel.....what do you all out there use to treat your front windshield?

 

I've been using RainX on my front window too: it works fine for me.

 

As suggested by Sal Zaino, I apply Z2+ZFX to any smooth surface on the car... paint, chrome and glass!

I don't have any vinyl, but most folks test the vinyl for colorfastness (if that's a word) and then wax/seal over their stripes.

 

I've tried the 303 on my roof graphic. Didn't like it. I've always waxed the UJ roof on my '02, so I started it again on my '05. I have noticed however that if you buff off the wax before it's totally dry, some vinyl color can come with it, so be careful!

And DO NOT clay bar the vinyl, ever! I think that would definitely remove some color.

 

The only thing I may not recommend wax for is the roof graphic. Mine was always zainoed but now after two years I have to remove it because the top layer of plastic has desintegrated here and there and it looks terrible. Back when I got it there weas no mention of 303, and now cooperflags speciffically recommends it.

 

Here is a great write up that one of our members did... nice detailing guide!

Detail Guide (Requires acrobat reader)

Hope that helps someone in the future!

 

Talk about overwhelmed... I'm due to take delivery of my MINI in August, and after reading this am scared to touch it.

Maybe I will restore my other baby, a '96 Isuzu rodeo to practice on?

:D Thanks for the write up!!

 

Anaethma, I was a total amateur too, and also afraid of screwing it up, but dive in. You become addicted. Here's the key: get the wash mitt that you only use on your paint, and the best microfiber towels you can. Then you're safe, you're not going to scratch the paint if you pay attention to the instructions, rinse your mitt frequently, and keep an eye out for grit. After that, you can try any of the various products and application techniques here, at worst you do a Dawn wash to strip it and start over. No big deal.

 

Don't be scared! It all makes sense after a bit and you don't have to do a detailing marathon to do it all at once. Start with the inside. The following week, do the wash and claybar. The next week, wash again and do a coat of Z5... etc.

Once you get a few coats of Zaino on and the routine becomes habit, it really isn't that much work to keep it up.

 

Define BUFF as described in the instructions...

And a recommendation on a foam zaino applicator (that bradb was suggesting)?

I want to dawn/clay/zaino my rodeo, time to buy some product!!

 

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/vk-101.html

 

I use the Sonus Der Wunder Applicator for applying Zaino. I don't like Zaino's applicator because, well it falls apart after a few washes, plus it isn't as soft as microfiber and seems to absorb more wax than it applies.

 

That's a good point! I've thought the same thing. I think I'll take your recommendation on the Sonus Applicator. I've been pleased with their product line so far.

 

An even better applicator, IMHO: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/vk-101.html

 

I hate that site! Every time I go there I find something I want. But I can't buy just a $2.99 applicator... that would be silly. Imagine paying $5.99 in shipping for just one small item. So I look around and find other things I want. Before I know it my shopping cart is filled and now the shipping is the least of my worries.

 

This thread just climbed into the #1 slot for most viewed thread on the detailing forum... Too funny, considering that it was born as a lark to try and write down all of the stuff I was doing to my old Nissan Altima!

 

I guess the Altima was a good car to experiment with. Now you have it right for the MINI!

 

Well, we spent the day Zanioing the car inside and out and Lulu looks spectacular. All of her Astro Black beauty is shining like the stars!! Many thanks to agranger and others for their tips on the process.

 

Yeah, I feel the same way. I picked up my AB/W MCS 4 days ago and she's already kinda dusty and stuff so I'm dreading the day I have to go out and buy all of these products! It's coming soon though... With my old car ('05 Acura RSX) it was silver and I washed it once in the entire 8 months that I had it. And that was a touch-free car wash. *sigh*...

But great thread though! I'm glad that I at least know what kind of products people are using on our precious MINIs! About how much does it cost for a basic kit if you're starting from scratch like I am?

PS: what do you do in the winter when you can't wash your car outside...?

 

In regards to the Zaino costs for the Ultimate Protection Kit, we spent $126. That was the products and shipping costs. I had already bought the towels and spent about $20 on them. The Zaino products should last a while. You use so little of the polishes at one time. I can't begin to tell you how amazing the car looks and feels after you're done. My husband and I worked together and it took us about 5 hours total to do the whole car inside and out.

 

You can probably get away with $100-150 for the basics... Zaino sealants and QD Spray, microfibers, bucket, wash mits, auto detergent, plastic/rubber protectant, and tire/wheel brush. Then you will start collecting additional products for polishing, scratch treatment, etc. Better tools will come soon after (higher quality microfibers), foam applicators. Power equipment will also come after a year or so (PCDA polisher and pads).

Maybe I should put together a list with a basic kit, and Stage I, II and III upgrade recommendations...

As with everything, you can take it to various degrees. Do you own the 20-piece tool set from the household goods section of WalMart or do you have a full mechanics tool set on wheels with 5x chrome plated, Ferrari-branded, flare nut wrenches for your bi-annual brake fluid change? Do you make your coffee in a $20 Mr. Coffee machine that your parents gave you when you went off to college (after they used it for 10 years) or do you have a full commercial espresso machine (my other passion) with dedicated plumbing in your kitchen?