My new MCS is fantastic in every way except one: The tailgate gets dirty so quickly. Even on dry days, I find that it collects a layer of dust in no time. And when driven in the rain, it's amazing.

So my questions for this esteemed panel:

1) Do all MINIs do this?
2) Do all hatchbacks do this?
3) Is there anything that can be done to reduce/eliminate this effect?
4) What techniques have you adopted for keeping the tailgate clean?

 

Yep - they all get dirty butts pretty quickly. I personally have not found a good way to keep it from happening. It just gets a bath all the time..:smile:

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven)
05' Cool Blue MCSC

 

I just washed my MINI for the first time this weekend after her first week on the road, and I, too was amazed at how dirty the back end was. Guess MINI knew and gave us the rear wiper for just that reason!

She is a joy to wash, though. Never said that before about a car!
Carol

 

I have waxed mine 5 times now in 5 weeks and it does not help. I am afraid to use the California duster because it may scratch (in this case wiping your butt may not be a good thing ). I do blow it off but it comes right back. Anyone use the California duster with good results??

 

I've been using the duster. It works if you do it frequently. I wouldn't do it if the buildup is really heavy. And, as for whether it scratches, that probably has a lot to do with how heavy the dirt buildup is and how much protection (wax) your paint has.

 

Welcome to hatchbacks! Totally normal! Imagine it without a wiper!

 

Any of you guys with rear aero kits have this problem? Wondering if the aerodynamics change any, prevent the dirt to kick back up on the back.

 

I use my California duster with great success, no scratching. It works a treat with all the pollen dust around Texas.

 

Mini Mania in California offers factory mud flaps for New MINI's. The rear set should keep road dirt from being kicked up onto the rear hatch. At $15.95 for the front set and $38.95 for the rear, it might be worth a try.




CasaMini

 

CSAMF,

The Aero Kit is a fine looking addition to our cars. But, it doesn't seem to help keep the back of the car clean. Art least not on mine. Maybe someone who waited a while to install an Aero Kit could give us a before/after comparison.

 

And that's what I'm living with in my MCc

 

I wonder if it would reduce the dust if we put some of those mud flaps off the big rigs with the chrome plated reclining woman on the rear of our cars...

 

It's just the aerodynamics of the car. There is an area of low pressure created behind the car and sucks all of the dirt and grit kicked up by the car. I've heard the M7 rear diffuser may help, but at $500 or so, it's a little bit expensive to test out.

 

I've notices that it's worse with snow tires. The mud flaps might work as it seems to be correlate to the amount of water and gunk flying into the air back there.

 

I wouldn't count on the mud flaps doing much. One of our area owners has those....they do look cool....but don't help with dirt.

I use a duster frequently, but go lightly w/ it. Nothing else I am aware of seems to help much.

 

Saran wrap or Xtra-xtra large depends.

I sprayed some newfangled paint the other day that duct tape won't stick to, nor water/dirt or air. I'm thinking of doing the intercooler intake & front bumper once we match the Dk sil. Iwas going to tape(from the back) a test panel on the boot of my Mini, but left it at work before taking the week off.

 

In response:
1)YES
2)YES
3)Don't take it out of the garage.
4)Wash daily
Mud flaps help with mud. Dust and debris no help.The rear do not fit the S without major modifacation

 

Just as I suspected... Oh well, at least it's easy to wash. :smile:

 

I put Rain-X on my back window of the Cabrio. It seems to have helped a little. But I do miss that back wiper

Lois

 

With a cabrio, do the rear passengers need to wear showercaps if the road is wet?

 

Only if they want to look funny.

 

The good side is that the MINI looks well used in dirty conditions... Do not be afraid of the dirt - instead embrace it. You will then have another excuse to wash...

 

I've had great success keeping my boot clean by using the duster daily and Griot's Speed Shine (with Microfiber cloth) if the job requires more than a dusting.

2-5 minutes daily does the job.

 

I had to post these pics here from a road rally a few of us went on. I am almost embarassed to show these. But hope you all enjoy.

 

Now thats some dirty boot'e

Looks like you had fun though.