I'm about to take delivery of my new MINI and need some advice for overall care. I don't have a lot of spare time and would rather be driving my MINI than detailing it. But of course I want it to look great all the time. It seems like the best product for long lasting good looks and ease of use is Klasse...although I'm open to suggestions. Also when I pick it up from the dealer what are the first steps I should take to start it off right.

 

I went the Zaino route with mine. Yes you will be putting in the time up front but from everything I have read it will last as long if not longer than anything else and the look is amazing. That is just my $.02 Read the sticky about detailing for more info.

 

Zaino takes the time up front, but lasts much longer. There is a bit of a learning curve, but I did a cleanup on my current car (97 Nissan Altima) before I went to place my MINI order last Friday:

2.5 Hours = Wash - Claybar - Wash - Dry - 1 coat of Zaino Z2 - engine detail - interior detail - inside glass

The car is now well protected and looks showroom fresh (even after 8 years and 87,000 miles)

 

How long does the Zaino treatment last?

 

3 or 4 coats has gone well over 6 months for me. I can't say that it was as shiny or as protective as it was on day #1, but you could still see significant beading at the end of 6 months.

Honestly, its hard for me to say. Once you get the surface prepped and a few good base coats down, it's tough not to just add a top-up layer of Zaino after you wash every month or so (or every week ). If you have already washed and dried, it takes only 15 minutes to apply and another 15 to remove once it is dry. If I wash on a Saturday, I'll put on the coat of Zaino and pull the car into the garage for the night. I'll buff it off the next morning or even on Monday before I go to work... no worries.

 

Here's the direct link to the 'sticky' detailing thread mentioned above: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=37303