Just got my baby thursday (4/6) and have already gotten plenty of dirt and bug splatters to take care of. I'm not going to go all out in the cleaner tool department, but have already picked up some essentials. A pack of microfiber cloths, a california duster, some maguire's rim cleaner (my white v-spokes need it bad right now..they have turned silver), and some armor-all for the interior. So I have a few starter questions (you'll probably hear from me in the future):
1) How do you get rid of bugs easily and cleanly? I've got more than a few splatters of large bug impacts.

2) Should I be cautious of using my armor-all on the body colored dash? I'm not sure if the paint and the cleaner will work fine or if I could potentially mess it up.

 

1) This should do the trick: http://meguiars.com/?car-maintenance...---Tar-Remover

2) The Armor-All you have should be perfectly fine on your dash. Make sure the dash is relatively cool (not baking in sunlight). I personally don't like Armor-All but to each his own. Enjoy your car. Detailing will become obsessive. I promise

 

I'd recommend a few coats of wax to the paint, that will make getting the bug remains off much easier. I use Zaino (lot's of info here in the board) and use the detailing spray for quick work for removing bugs, etc between (frequent) washings.

I'd also recommend the 303 products over the Amor-All for your vinyl, rubber, etc. It's available many places and been recommended more than the Armor-All I think. I use the Zaino on the painted dash, dunno how the Armor All would work on paint. There is a lot of info on this board and on the net about detailing...but it is true that the costs can mount up fast.

Have fun. No better way to get to know your MINI than going over every square inch while detailing! Well, other than motoring!

 

1) everything previously mentioned, plus may want to do an extra coat of wax on the front, also regular washing, plus I picked up a bug sponge that I use for the small bird sized insects I pick up I do a regular wash, the soap up the front real good and take this sponge gently glide it where the bug is and they come right off, I've only had to use it a few times and I'm careful not to scratch but its a heck of alot easier than scrubing.

 

I'd recommend the Meguiar's Interior Detailer instead...it leaves ZERO greasiness, shine - just makes the dash and body panels in the interior look brand new! I have the colored dash in my MCS and the interior detailer works awesome on it too - it can be used on everything in your interior, although I use a leather cleaner/conditioner on my seats.

 

For tough to remove bug impacts, clay bar works great. Often times after a wash, I will use a Quik Detailer to soak and soften the bug impact and gently wipe it unless its dissolved. Don't rub the area--and especially don't rub the bug parts back into the paint causing more scratches. Definitely a waxed surface will make it easier to remove future bugs.

 

^^ +1 i spot wax the front end of my car on a regular basis to
keep the surface nice and slick. i just use detailer spray and my
terry to remove bugs.

for interiors, i found that using water or water with very mildy diluted
soap works best. (interior wipes are good too). otherwise, i just use
interior duster.