I work 3 jobs and have two kids I try to spend as much time with as possible. I have always purchased "disposable" cars (Acura for $3k that I can get 60k miles out of, etc.) and I almost never had to wash them (rain would take care of that every now and then ).

I just bought a MCS JCW. Finally, my dreamcar! After 14 years of driving hoopties (including several weeks on the Autobahn with a newer but granny mercedes sedan). I'm stoked!

I want to take good care of it (looking cool is secondary), but can't afford all this crazy stuff that people buy for detailing their Mini's nor can I spend hours doing it every week. I need an inexpensive product(s) to clean my car and seal/wax it to keep it shiny and stuff and easy to wash in a hurry. I can wax once a month if need be, but would rather do it once a quarter. I want to take as good care as possible on a tight budget and time crunch. help? TIA.

 

Some might pan this, but Nu-Finish is a great, low effort, long lasting product.

Go to www.nufinnish.com for details.

I've used this product before and it works great!!!

 

I've used NU-Finish for years & I think it's a great long lasting product. I use it once in the spring after cleaning the winter grunge off & once in the fall to prepare for winter's grunge. Do you see a pattern here?

 

MR. CLean works for some as a quickie I picked up a Turtle wax/wash combo jug for $5, 128 washes, can be done in 1/2 hour or take 6 depend upon how much you feel like worring about each little spec. Once a week wash, and save paste wax for an awsome shine on special occasions.

 

great advice guys, thanks! Keep it coming!!

 

I second the vote for NU-Finish. Its surprising how well it works, yet how cheap it is. It comes in an ugly bright orange bottle.

 

Everything I have used so far has been pretty economical. You can pick up Meguiar's NXT wax at Wal-Mart (it's reasonably priced). I have read in some posts that the finish doesn't last as long as some. I have only had it on my Mini for 2 months but it's still going strong. The Meguiar's clay bar kit is around $17.00 but it had enough quick detailer in it to claybar your Mini twice. Other than that I use the Mr Clean system for weekly washing & drying. I use 303 Aerospace protectant for cleaning & protecting my leatherette seats, dash, & other interior places. It looks expensive but a bottle lasts a pretty good while.

Happy detailing

 

Interesting, thanks bamatt!

 

b8b, I sure understand where you're coming from.

I personally use Klasse on my MINI...the shine is great, 2 steps (All-In-One followed by High Gloss Sealant Glaze) and I'm done for 8 months or more. Down side is that you probably have to order it, but the smaller container of each product has lasted me three years and it's still half full (a little goes a long way w/ the acrylics). Also, no residue at all on the black trim...just put it on everything, even the wheels (but not the windshield). Straightforward, simple to apply.

I also use Mother's Quick Detailer (although you may have another favorite). Quick detailer is important and will likely save you a trip to the car wash now and again. (You'll have to learn when the QD will work for you and when it won't.)

Another big thing on a budget is to get proper washing mitt (I use cotton chenille), an Absorber (one is fine, I have two) for blotting up water, and a set (I have four) of good waffle-weave microfiber drying towels. If you get these simple items up front for car washes (even if you have to order them) you will save yourself time and money by getting what you really need on the first try. Trying to go cheaper/easier just leads to frustration in the long run. This stuff works and once you have it you're good to go. Some of the auto parts stores are carrying Meguiar's waffleweave microfiber drying towels which may work for you...I ordered mine.

Good luck!!

 

Whew. Glad not everyone has so much time on their hands to do what they do in that sticky - I almost broke a sweat reading it

gokartride, this is great advice as well, thank you VERY much. May I ask how often and how you wash your car during that 8 months (WOW!)?

What about glass? I'm not going to a show but I get LOTS of bugs (you wouldn't think there were many bugs at then 8000 ft. high but there are). I like to see perfectly through the windshield as if it weren't there but would trade that of with saving time..

Keep it coming all, this is great! (btw: I did do a search first, this HAS to be helpful to some other folks like me )

 

I have had different results from NuFinish. It sure went on easy, but it washed off way too soon.

There is false economy in neglecting a major expendature such as a new vehicle because of the price of maintainance. Neglect it, and the price of bringing it back will be much higher, and it will probably let you down at exactly the worst time (pouring rain, pitch dark, side of the road...).

I wouldn't recommend letting the elements ravage the finish of your major investment (I know...cars make lousy 'investments'...but still...). I also wouldn't neglect the tires or skimp on oil changes because you dread the cost involved--false economy again.

With all that said, I'll give a couple of pointers.

First, find a product that goes on with minimal effort--synthetic sealers usually go on without any need to rub them in, and simply wipe off, requiring no buffing to bring out the shine or protection.

Second, a product that costs a smidgen more, but requires less of it to use, and lasts twice as long, is more bang for your buck. Spend one day in 6 months putting it on rather than two--you gained a whole day to spend with your kids.

Be sure not to clean it in direct sunlight. Before you get a chance to dry it, the water droplets on the paint are convex-shaped, and act like a magnifying glass. Those droplets magnify the rays of the sun and cause water spots in the clear coat.

Don't use dishwashing detergent to wash the car. Just as it lifts grease off that lasagna pan, it will strip all the protective wax and polish off your car leaving your finish exposed. It also tends to sap the oils out of your trim pieces leaving them ashy-looking. Only use dishwashing detergent when you actually "want" to strip off the old wax--right before you put on a fresh coat. If you want to save some money, Gold Class is ph-balanced, wax-compatible, and cleans well. It comes in a large concentrated jug for a few bucks at Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.

Though I use Zaino on the MINI, I have used the Mr. Clean thing on my other car. It sheets the water to eliminate water spots, and dries on its own. But it also leaves a film behind. It saves a LOT of time, and the film is not noticeable (well, maybe a bit on the glass...). It's better to spend the time and dry the car, but if you don't have the time, the Mr. Clean is better than not drying the car at all, does a really good (but not showtime ready) job, and will save you a TON of time.

Whatever you do, don't use a bath towel to dry it (even if it's "cotton," it's probably not American Cotton, and even if it says 100%, they don't count the binding thread which is probably polyester, and will absolutely swirl up your paint). One of the best deals around on Microfiber towels is Costco, 20-pack for $8.99. Just pull out the tag before using them. They're cheap, and they're very good.

 

I definately don't neglect that stuff, that's safety and motor which rettain much more value than a paint job, imho.

1. Right. So as gokartride suggests, Klasse? what do you suggest? That's EXACTLY what I need...

2. Is this for the weekly/regular washing?


Or is this for regular washing? will Mr Clean strip the wax/synthetic off?


Thanks, Tarzan!

P.S. can anyone explain to me "clay" - that's totally news to me. Is it necessary? how do you do your whole car? before wax? what will it do?

 

I agree with what Tarzan has said. I use Gold Class shampoo and definitely wash/dry in the shade.

Fortunately, I have this really ghetto, old-school coin-op hand car wash in my neighborhood (w/ covered bays AND a working water faucet!!) that I can take all my stuff to and wash my MINI for only four quarters (rinse cycle only)! I do this as needed...it generally winds up being about once a week. Sometimes more if I feel like it or if the car gets dirtier than I can stand (a personal thing). My MINI sleeps outside so I have to respond to prevailing weather conditions. It's weird...car washing has become a really relaxing way for me to get outside and have some early morning fun. And the results are so worth it. Trust me, I did not do this before my MINI showed up!!!

The clay bar thing is really cool and a step not to be skipped, especially if you're applying a good protective finish less frequently. Basically, you wash the car. Then you use a piece of a clay bar along with a lubricant (shampoo or quick detailer) to remove teeny particles imbedded in your MINIs paint over time. Glide the clay over the whole car down a section at a time. Don't rub...let the clay do the work. The clay is picking up contaminants, so use a flattened quarter of the bar for awhile, flip it...then toss it. Once completed this gives you a nice, contaminant-free surface to apply a finish to. You might want to search for more tips on clay bar use...I am a Neanderthal compared to some of our experts here, but I have somewhat limited time for all this, too.

 

Thanks, gokartride, once again this is good and valued advice.

I only have one wax/sealant suggestion so far, so here's what I gather for best bang-for buck/efficient use of time external car care:
________________________________________________
Once every 4-8 months (guestimate) depending on sealant/wax status(how can I determine the condition?).
Step:
1. wash car thoroughly with gold class shampoo
2. clay bar
3. apply Klasse

Once a week or so, depending on how dirty I can handle it being:
option a:
1. use Mr. Clean and simply spray off and let dry!

option b:
1. use Gold Class shampoo for a wuick wash and dry in the shade with appropriate micro-fiber towels
______________________________________
Am I missing anything? any other suggestions? TIA!

 

I've heard great things about the Meguires NXT line. I use the car shampoo and it smells soooo good.

 

Whoa

First you DO want to get all the old crap off of the car including the old wax. That means using something like Dawn. Using Klasse over old wax is not correct.,

Second, you only need to claybar if you can actually feel rough spots with your fingers ... if the finish is smooth, there is nothing to do

Third, if you use the klasse twins, separate putting them on by One Day. Each layer needs to cure.

Fourth to follow up, add a layer of pure carnauba over the Klasses. The finish will look much deeper.

At this point you still need to add Carnauba maybe every 8 weeks. Redo the Klasse twice a year.'

Good luck!

 

Some may kick me, but honestly Zaino can be the cheapest thing you can buy. You don NEED all the other products. Simply one bottle of Z2 is all you need, and that will last you two years if you apply every other month. Nothing else lasts as long, especially at that price.

Sure us nuts are on a neverending quest for all the best of the best, but when you are forced to keep it simple, you get most of the way there with a regular wash and wax.

 

No wonder why everyone said your hair smelled so nice at the Dragon!

 

Thanks, chows4us! Any particular brand of Carnuba? I assume at each 6-month re-Klasse that I need to use Dawn to strip it down since it has carnuba over it? What stores carry Klasse?

Would that be on top of the Klasse instead of the carunuba, or instead of the Klasse and carnuba? I like once every 4-8 months the best, doing carnuba once every couple months to keep the Klasse classy is OK too, if it doesn't matter if I get around to it... once every other month mandatory with Zaino doesn't sound too good

 

b8b,

You can get Klasse at autopia-carcare.com who also carries Sonus products designed to work with Klasse. They sell starter kits. In fact, one of the starter kits has a carnuba wax and Klasse combo.

Now, Klasse has two products - a base called AIO and a top coat called SG. You can stop here, or you can try a carnuba wax as a top coat instead of SG. or experiment.

Zaino is another acrylic polish which is very popular. And it's available online as well. Griot's Garage has their own paint sealent polish as well. Meguire's NXT is another popular choice and easily found in local stores.

I use the Klasse twins and various Sonus products. The acrylic polishes are the way to go for low maintenance.

No matter the product you finally choose, make sure you have the right tools. Like gokartride has mentioned, having a good wash mitt, good foam applicators, good buffing towels, good drying towels, etc, will also help protect the finish. cheap stuff can scratch. Some go all out with a Porter Cable DA polisher as well.

As bamatt said and I agree, 303 aerospace protectant is another good product to have. I've treated the black trim (rocker panels and wheels) before the winter and they still look great after the salt and numerous trips to the laser car wash.

BTW, my MINI still beads water after the winter. Have yet to wax it. bad me.

 

What he said ....

You can also get packages at http://autogeek.net

For wax, try Pinnacle Sourveign or ps21

 

I was told by a Klasse rep that when you're ready to re-apply Klasse, just clay bar and re-apply the All-In-One right over the previous Klasse finish. It seems to take care of itself. Now if you are going from Klasse to NXT or some other wax that is different...I think alcohol actually removes the stuff.

I'm assuming the same is true for Zaino??

 

Dawn will get rid of all wax and, I believe Zaino. Klasse ontop of Klasse should be fine. The wax ontop of the Klasse adds a much "deeper" shine that you can actually notice. This is two coats of Carnauba (separated by one day to cure) over the twins

 

I agree.

The new Zaino Z2 Pro supposedly lasts for 6 months for 1 application. Given that I can get 3+ applications for the MINI out of 1 oz (30 mls), you don't need a lot to give you very good protection and a great shine. Cheaping out can be false economy. I'd go with Z2 Pro and use less frequently.

www.Zainobros.com

 

I don't think you need to do the dishwashing liquid thing with the Klasse AIO - never have and have had not issues. All in one is supposed to remove old wax etc (perhaps why its called 'all in one' ) - right on the bottle it states that it removes "oxidized paint, old wax build-up, road tar, surface scratches, swirl marks, gasoline, and insect stains."

Here's a guidline from a random detailing site fwiw:

Klasse All-In-One is our #1 pre-polish for waxes. It contains chemical cleaners for removing oxidation, old wax build-up, road tar and insect residue. It is one of the best preparations for any type of wax, and regularly used prior to the application of our Carnauba waxes.

Klasse All-In-One Polish is also contains an acrylic-based sealant that provides long term protection against UV and salt damage. It's UV protection, heat resistence and elasticity add a great deal of durability under a paste wax. All-In-One contains no abrasives, so it may be necessary to apply a swirl or scratch remover for paint with surface flaws.

Apply only one or two times a year! The one-step cleaner/sealant may be applied by hand, or with an orbital polisher to any auto, motorcycle, RV, boat or aircraft. Use it to clean and protect paint, plastic, fiberglass, metals, and any other hard surface.

Apply a very small amount to a cloth or foam applicator.
Rub in circular motion.
Wipe off before, or after it dries with a terry towel or baby diaper. (We prefer "before")

Klasse's All-In-One is known for its great depth of shine and clarity. For added shine and durability follow with application of Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze or any of our Carnauba waxes.