So I get my Mini two days ago and on the first night I park him in front of our house.. In the morning there are water spots on all the side.

Panicking I took him to the carwash as a quick fix as I want to wash him myself on the street -- As embarresing as it will be -- but have no idea how, what to use, what to do and what not to do.

Anyway... After the car wash I went to the grocery store and got a microfiber cloth as well as an ammonia-free Windex-like thing. I been using the cloth and spray to clean the windows and mirrors after every drive and during random times as well as cleaning the body... Is this safe? The cloth and the windex-like thing?

I don't need to wash my Mini yet but before I do I want to keep him looking shiney and new... Is using that cloth and spray the way to go? Or should I be using a different type of cloth or spray to go over him every day or so?

I need advice! This is my first car and the first outside-exposed thing I want to keep clean.

 

There are a lot of very good products available for washing/polishing/waxing your car - I like Meguiars products, and if you visit their website www.meguiars.com - you can find a question/answer section that will tell you all you need to know about properly washing/drying/polishing/waxing, etc. A search on this forum will give you a lot as well. I would not spritz your car with window cleaner - when you want to wipe down with a microfiber cloth between washes, an instant detailer (many, many brands available) should be used, and if the car is not garaged and pretty clean to begin with, I don't think it's a good idea. Read up, buy a few good products, and in no time you'll be detailing your car.

 

Lots of stuff and ideas on how to use them here on NAM.
You too will get hooked

 

I reread your post,I wash my MC at least 2 times a week,sometimes 4.
The worst thing is to leave dirt on it.Wash the car

 

RED ALERT!!!!!!......stop and do some searching in this thread and read, read, read!!!!!! A lot of microfiber products are fine for household chores, but not for you MINI's finish. And I wouldn't use windex on the paint.....OR the glass for that matter. Search, search, search.....read, read, read!!!!! I'm sure you're okay but you will want to get very good at properly cleaning your MINI and you'll want to do it as quickly as possible!!

I really recommend (and most of us here would agree) that all soon-to-be owners should use their waiting time to identify and procure appropriate detailing supplies and products. Your MINI will thank you!

 

Okay well...

For the last few days I been using Windex-like spray on the mirrors, windows and paint of my Mini. After reading your replies as well as replies from other forums I will no longer be using the windex-like product.

Instead I'll get a spray called Spanaway for the windows -- And mirror too? And some kind of detailing spray. Meguairs looks nice... Do they sell it at any retail stores like Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Target? I would order online but I want it ASAP. If not is there something else I could use?

What about Zaino? I hear alot about that as well.. Which detailing spray is going to be the best? And as for the cloth, what type of cloth am I looking for? I been using a microfiber one until I read you shouldn't use a cloth with polyster which to find it the cloth has that so... No more of that.

Also... Is it safe to use whatever detailing spray I end up getting on a day to day basis to always keep up with any spots or stains that may come up? Or is that harmful to the car/paint? And how does wax work? How do I know when it's time for a new waxing and is it easy to do it myself? =/

 

I'd start by reading this thread and this one. We're fortunate that there are some very expert car detailers on NAM and they kindly share their knowledge with us.

Enjoy the car!

Mark

 

Hey there,

Can I assume you are in CA from your name? If you are in SoCal then check out the c3 website www.c3club.org and sign up because we have pretty regular detail parties where you can learn everything you would want to know!

Also, check out the Meguair's site http://meguiarsonline.com/ because they also have detail clinincs where you can learn hands on about the products

Congrats on your new MINI!!!!