Happened overnite - I washed the car as soon as I found it, but too late - its in the clear coat. I have found a thread with various ways of removing it, and will start trying them, but I have another problem.
My last car was a Jeep. It got washed every 6 months or so with a garden hose and dish soap. Clearly that is not the way to take care of this car, and I'm more than a little overwealmed by all the products and methods in this form. Can sombody just tell me in plain english how to take care of the outside of this car? I'd apprectiate it.
Thanks
Joey

 

Here's a gentle introduction:

How to Professionally Wash Your MINI

 

This is what I do:

If you are going to take care of your own paint, get a good clay bar, like the Meguiar's Professional Grade Medium-Compound bar/Klasse Bar/Clay Magic/Mothers etc, and a big jug of Meguiar's Final Inspection (similar to Quik Detailer), and an empty spray bottle to refill with Final Inspection.

After a real thorough wash using liquid pot/pan detergent (palmolive/dawn), dry the car off really well using a chamois or soft terry towels, and then working one section at a time, spray the paint down well with the Final Inspection, and work the clay smoothly over the paint in linear motions, keeping both the paint and the bar well-soaked with the Final Inspection.

After the entire car is clayed and the paint is silky-smooth, rinse it off with water, dry it really well again, and finish with a layer of Meguiar's Polymer Paint Sealant, SealTek ACR Professional Paint sealant, or Klasse Silver Bottle Polymer Paint Sealant, for the most protective coating for your paint.

Apply any of the aforementioned paint sealant products with a foam wax applicator (or a folded terry towel), applying the sealant with dabs, not rubbing it in at all in circles or back and forth! This is very important to prevent scratching your vehicle's finish. You should just keep the applicator wet with wax, and apply it directly down onto the paint, and don't stop until your entire car is covered with dry dabs of sealant.

Then take some clean microfiber towels and gently rub the died sealant off the finish, making sure to get all the seams.

I will also do this for my wheels, as over time brake dust can really etch into the finish of your wheels. Paint sealant applied to completely cleaned wheels can help prevent permanent damage to your wheels' finish caused by brake dust buildup.

Polymer paint sealants will provide the best protection for your paint against fallout and the elements, and leave a fairly sterile finish that isn't too glossy.

While this is what I prefer, if you would rather have a really glossy final finish, after applying the paint sealant, simply apply as a topper, a good high-gloss wax like P21-s or S100 following the same directions for applying the paint sealant, for a really glossy finish.

While I think the average car owner can perform these steps for care of their vehicle's finish, If you notice that your paint has any water spots and/or swirl marks visible after performing the above steps, I would contact a professional detailer if any machine buffing and polishing is needed.

For Tire Sidewall and Vinyl care (dash, interior plastic), I recommend Aerospace Protectant 303 or Vinylex (with the edge going towards Aerospace).

For preserving the door gaskets/seals that line the entire opening of the doors: Use BMW Special Door Gasket Lubricant : p/n 83-19-9-408-523

For preserving the exterior rubber sealing strips at the seam between the door and the windows: Use BMW Carbaflo : p/n 83-23-0-309-627

Prior to applying the above products, clean the rubber first:
Use BMW Concentrated Silicone Remover: p/n 83-19-9-407-906

 

To prevent Bird Crap from staying on your vehicle long, always keeps with you a spray bottle of Meguiar's Quik Detailer or Final Inspection, and a clean Microfiber, in a bag.

The moment you see birdcrap or tree sap or the like on your car, spray away and wipe it off gently.

Using a good paint sealant at least every two to three months will help prevent birdcrap or tree sap from causing permanent damage.

 

NICE GB - that is what I was looking for. So - I should I get a detailer to go over the thing with a buffer and then do what you have outlined? Its all black, so swirls and whatnot show up REALLY well - would that be sort of like starting from the begining?

Joey

 

Joey,

You may also want to check out this thread. There are a lot of ways to skin a cat.

 

Professionals tell me that you can only use a wool cutting wheel on the paint, as part of a thorough, 4-buffing wheel process, 2 or 3 times in a car's life, before you eat through the clearcoat of the paint.

If your paint is showling all sorts of swirls, outlines of birdcrap stains, tree sap stains, etc, then take it to a trusted detailing professional for a complete, 4-buffing wheel exterior detail, and let them deal with it.

Then afterwards maintain your paint from that point forward.