It's been 10 days since I brought my Jet Black MINI home (Photos are in my gallery). I' ll be the first to admit that when it comes washing my car, I don't have enough time and I am lazy . I took my car to a soft cloth car wash this weekend and payed the price. I scuffed up my R90 . My question is:
What is the minimal supplies needed and what brand works best.
Anyone who lives in south jersey know of any hand car wash places.

 

When I got my MINI, I too was uninitiated in the fine art of caring for it properly. Made a few booboos. It was time for me to throw out any outdated, archaic, pre-MINI car care methodologies and start over with a clean slate. Took some research (so much of which is readily available now in this forum), and some investment in the proper products, but now my approach to all this is VASTLY different to what I knew before. Most new owners have some serious ramping up to do, in my opinion, on car care and its best to do as much preparing as you can before your MINI arrives, both in products and in practices. You'll be glad you did.

 

I went crazy a month or so ago and compiled all of my detailing/polishing/sealing processes into one document. It is posted here (with a MS Word download if you wish) for your enjoyment.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=37303


I think that you would do very well with this:

1. A kit from Zaino - If no leather, get the $85 kit + some of the Rubber dressing. If you have leather, get the more expensive kit

2. A bucket and a good wash mit (wool or 100% cotton chenile)... another $10-$15

3. Microfibers! Get at least 1 good polishing microfiber, 1 made for glass and 1 large, waffle-weave microfiber for drying. These will probably cost around $10 a piece for good ones.

4. You will probably need other random things over time... Some Scratch-X, upholstry/fabric cleaner, a more durable outside rubber protectant for the arches and wheels, etc. These can wait and you can pick them up here and there from the web or auto supply stores. There are also lots of handy things to be had as well... tire dressing applicators, foam wax/sealant applicators that can be had inexpensively... especially if you are already paying for shipping for other products.



Go ahead and splurge... you just spent some 18-30K for a new car... what's another $200 to keep it looking showroom fresh? Consider the $200 an investment in your car's total value... not only the resale value (if you ever decide to sell, that is), but also your enjoyment as you motor in a clean, shiny ride.

 

what do you guygals think is a good product: meguirs, klasse or sonus.

also, is there a good starter kit. need options please

 

you need a good car wash, a good wash mitt, a few waffle weave microfiber, maybe a waterblade, a good polish works, throw a wheel cleaner in there and you got some basic stuff needed to keep it lookin fine

polish i'd recommend zaino right off...

car wash, zaino Z7 works well, but if you do not want to get the stuff off the internet then go with eagle one car wash.. not bad for a local pick-up car wash.. i use it in the winter

microfiber you need to get the yellow sonus cloth.. its huge, and good for buffing Zaino as well

wheel cleaner i use a griot's garage one.. relatively weak compared to my eagle one wheel cleaner, i use the griot's garage one if my wheels are relatively clean.. only use the all purpose wheel cleaner when i hv a heavily soiled wheel such as when i put them away

 

this is what I have so far:

California Duster
MINI wheel cleaner
PS1 synthetic towel that I bought at the dealer (gift certificate)
Back to black tire dressing

this is what I should buy:

Mini california duster for the wheels
Meguairs quick detailer (for bugs and in between washes)
Vynlex for the exterior arches and plastic
? car shampoo
? klasse all in one wax
sheepskin mit for washing
teri cloths for drying the wheels
eagle 1 applicator for tire and arch applications
? wax for the rims
?microfiber clothes (not sure if the sythetic one I have is good enough)

any suggestions

 

I'm going with agranger's recommendations on my MINI when it arrives in a couple of weeks. I looked on the 303 protectant web site and they also have a sample kit for $5 and also a free one. I sent for them both. Along with the Zaino kit and the towels/mit, you should be set for a while.

 

California Duster ...Great
MINI wheel cleaner ...Great
PS1 synthetic towel that I bought at the dealer (gift certificate) ...Great. Use this a a pre-dry towel. Lay it on the car and pick it back up. It absorbs quickly. Don't "drag" it across the surface. Get Microfiber Waffle weaves for final drying.
Back to black tire dressing ....Great.

Mini california duster for the wheels...I found this was more of a mess.
Meguairs quick detailer (for bugs and in between washes) A QD is a must have. Meguiars is not my favorite. Since you plan to use Klasse then I suggest Sonus Acrylic since it is better matched for your wax.
Vynlex for the exterior arches and plastic...OK.
? car shampoo...Lots of decent choices here.
? klasse all in one wax... Good choice. Polymers rock! I also like Zaino.
sheepskin mit for washing....Yes! Or 100% cotton chenille.
teri cloths for drying the wheels...ok.
eagle 1 applicator for tire and arch applications...Great.
? wax for the rims...Use the same polymer as on the paint. It's durable and heat resistant.
?microfiber clothes (not sure if the sythetic one I have is good enough)..Yes. Get plenty!

 

I had to go digging through my monster post from above to find this... One more item for your starter kit:

Meguiar’s #40 Rubber cleaner/conditioner: BradB’s recommended engine rubber conditioner. I believe he also favors it for the wheel arches (exterior textured hard plastic) on his MINI’s arches. http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clin...meg-m-4016.html 30oz for $10.


I use the Zaino rubber dressing inside and out, but it is very short-lived on exterior rubber/plastic like the MINI's wheel arches and tires. The Meguiars #40 is just the thing for exterior rubber/plastic.