OK, my Minis first detail is very important to me. She... or he... just turn 1K (it'll still read that on the odometer in the morning, too). I plan on purchasing the Zymol kit for Pepper Whites, but that's in the future. I went to Targè and Wally World today and ended up buying ZYMOL CLEANER WAX. Was this the best choice? I'm worried. Some Miata board somewhere said it works great, but Zymol describes it as a scratch remover formula, and God knows I want nothing even remotely abbrasive touching my paint job. Please let me know your thoughts.

I bought a 5 pak of microfibre towels. The darn things were wrapped with an adhesive binding that, upon removal, left a LOT of very hard to remove spots of less-than-paper-thin super adhesive all over one of my towels. I attempted to pick it of, thusly learning about the "strands thinner than human hair" effect that esentially acted as a cementing agent for the adhesive. This prompted me to wash the whole lot. The kicker? 4 white towels with blue borders, 1 blue towel with white borders. No way in heck I'm washing my new white-white towels with a blue one. The blue one has been deemed OK to use, but I'm going to test them all on a blank-media CD-R before starting on my car. I bought some Meguire's applicator pads. Good choice?

I also bought a Cali Car Duster, and it's airing out right now. Gonna be a pal and dust my roommate's cars for them first . Then it'll be ready to run over my Mini.

Am I pretty much ready to go? I'm going through Advance or Autozone or Murray's or something here in the coming week to find some good plastic cleaner.

Oh, and before I forget, and this post ends up too long, I have noticed that I smudge up my speedo and tach with finger prints. The outboard rearviews get spotty from the light Kentucky rains we have, so I bought a small spritzer bottle from Wal-Mart and have put plain old alcohol-base blue Windex in it, for the time being. I swore by the Armor-All vinegar base cleaner (I prefer the smell, and it's tint-safe), but I'm not sure what I should really use on interior plexi and exterior mirrors. Suggestions? I'm putting a microfiber and the spritzer in the glovebox (until I get my Hot Pocket) to use whenever neccessary. I saw at Targè a small interior "Detailer's Brush" that's half CA Duster-like mop and half strong bristled brush. I may go back and get it for the dash should any of you fine folks reccomend such a tool.

 

Cleaner wax has abrasive particulates in it to help deal with scratches and swirling. If you don't want any abrasives on your paint, you don't want cleaner wax.

I hate microfiber towels and wouldn't go near them with a 10ft pole. I've had nothing but grief from them. Constantly leave fiber residue. ANNOYING! I prefer 100% USA cotton towels with the edges cut off.

Leave that Cali Duster on some newspaper for a few days, then dust your friend's cars (don't let it touch their windows though), then shake it out and let it sit one more day. Now you're ready to use it on your MINI. Just don't use it on the windshield or rear window. The side windows don't collect "goo" as much as those windows and so the Duster is still effective on them. But on the front/back windows it leaves smear streaks from the road goo.

For windows, use Stoner's Invisible Glass. There's no better auto glass...strike that...no better GLASS cleaner than this. Comes in an spray can for easy application. I love this stuff to death!

For plastic, I'm a big fan of 303 Protectant which can be found at most marine/boating shops. It's a UV protector that also adds some flat, not glossy shine. Not greasy like Armour-Crap. Works great on the outside plastic trim as well as the inside. Apply with a sponge and buff off.

Did I miss anything?

R

 

You forgot Simple Green for the wheels!
-Chris

 

I also have a Pepper White MINI and use the Zymol-Suite (HD-Cleanse, Cream Wax for the White parts, Carbon for the Black), and Zymol Wheel Cleaner. Very Happy with this combination. I also use their micro-fiber towels and their great, no shedding. I need more so I'm going to try to find some cheap ones that don't shed.

I'm not happy with the Zymol Glas product however. Too streaky.

This weekend I'll be trying their leather cleaner as well as engine cleaner.

For the black trim pieces I use 303 Aerospace Protectant. Very good as well.

Cheers,
Bill

 

ZAINO wasn't a consideration? Ditto on the Stoners.

 

Zaino's great, I just waxed mine for the first time this past weekend and put 4 coats on.

Looking for a good leather cleaner though, any suggestions?

 

>>Zaino's great, I just waxed mine for the first time this past weekend and put 4 coats on.
>>
>>Looking for a good leather cleaner though, any suggestions?


Go back to the Zaino store on line and purchase their Zaino leather products. I've just put these products on my leather and it worked great. The leather feels soft and smells fresh...like new.

Z-9™ Leather Soft Spray Cleaner $7.95
Z-10™ Leather in a Bottle $10.95

 

>>I bought a 5 pak of microfibre towels. The darn things were wrapped with an adhesive binding that, upon removal, left a LOT of very hard to remove spots of less-than-paper-thin super adhesive all over one of my towels. I attempted to pick it of, thusly learning about the "strands thinner than human hair" effect that esentially acted as a cementing agent for the adhesive. This prompted me to wash the whole lot. The kicker? 4 white towels with blue borders, 1 blue towel with white borders. No way in heck I'm washing my new white-white towels with a blue one. The blue one has been deemed OK to use, but I'm going to test them all on a blank-media CD-R before starting on my car. I bought some Meguire's applicator pads. Good choice?
>>

The 5-pack of micro fibre towels from Walmart are not to good. I use mine for cleaning the wheels, dusting the interior, and engine detailing. You should invest is some quality towles from Pakshak

Check out Autopia.com for excellent detailing tips.

Motor on!

 

I have to agree... for leather cleaner and conditioner, stick with Zaino! I tried more than 5 moderate to expensive products and was by far happiest with Zaino's leather care line. Easy to use, non-greasy, no residue, and smells just lovely! I keep several bottles of each stocked up. You will go through the conditioner twice as fast as the cleaner, so ordering 2 bottles of conditioner for every 1 bottle of cleaner isn't a bad idea. Did I mention it smells good?

 

ah, the magic of zaino after just z1, z2, and z6:

:smile:

 

Wow cool grill and lower!! Are these the stainless pieces that mini-mania sells?? :smile:

 

hey thanks...but it's nothing but a can of spray paint won't do :smile:

 

Email PakShak for towels; ask him about the MINI pricing--it is better than the regular pricing on the website. Ranney Pak is GREAT to deal with; I've placed two orders in the past month...

 

>>Email PakShak for towels; ask him about the MINI pricing--it is better than the regular pricing on the website. Ranney Pak is GREAT to deal with; I've placed two orders in the past month...

Damn! I didn't know there was "MINI pricing". I paid the price listed on the website.

Maybe that was before the MINI pricing was offered.

 

>>Leave that Cali Duster on some newspaper for a few days, then dust your friend's cars (don't let it touch their windows though), then shake it out and let it sit one more day. Now you're ready to use it on your MINI. >>

>>For plastic, I'm a big fan of 303 Protectant which can be found at most marine/boating shops.

I've got a Cali Duster coming. What's the reason for letting it sit on newspaper for a few days before you use it??? Just wondering.

Never tried the 303 Protectant but it sounds interesting. Sounds good to me. Now I just have to find a boating supply shop. :smile:

 

My advise for first detailing....once you've gotten the desired products assembled...is to relax, take your time, and follow directions. There are short cuts, but getting the hang of application takes some time and I think reading the instructions and following them helps one to understand the product better. Over time, things will go much faster, so just relax and enjoy your first detail!

I used Klasse products and have been thrilled with the results. I also have checked back with the company to make sure how other products interacted with it. For example, Simple Green on wheels will strip Klasse All-IN-One. The presence of All-In-One makes wheel cleaning a snap and I don't want to re-apply, so I use a more compatible product to clean my wheels with great results. All-In-One works great on plastic trim, too. I wanted a product that was fairly straight forward and simple to use.

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

 

>>I've got a Cali Duster coming. What's the reason for letting it sit on newspaper for a few days before you use it??? Just wondering.
>>

The cotton fibers are coated/impregnated with wax and, after packaging, some of this wax needs to air out a bit. Otherwise when you use the duster the wax will leave small (but removable) streaks. I think the advise to use it first on another car is good. A well broken-in duster is your friend!!! :smile:

 

If it's your first time, I highly recommend the use of a clay bar. The car's finish will feel wonderful after it and all the nasty contaminents resting on the paint will be gone. Just be sure you do not drop the clay bar on the floor b/c it will pick up tiny particles that could scratch the paint if you continue to use it.

haf :smile:

 

I don't think I will be using anything from Wal-mart or Target on my MINI
those types of products are for the masses and my MINI is too special.

I have the Zaino kit ready and some mf towels I ordered on-line from Cerruti Design.

Now I am just waiting for my ship to come in.

 

>>I don't think I will be using anything from Wal-mart or Target on my MINI>>

I would tend to agree. Doing good research and getting the right products and tools is critical step. Wouldn't want to accidently damage that new MINI paint job, would we??? :smile:

 

What about the bonnet stripes? Should we keep wax off of them?

 

>>What about the bonnet stripes? Should we keep wax off of them?

Waxes or polishes shouldn't harm the bonnet stripes at all. I've put several coats of Zaino 2 and Zaino detailer on Junior and it shines up great.

 

Zaino is awesome, even for regular vinyl like the aftermarket custom roof flags, decals, and so forth. It's just as important to protect your vinyl as it is your paint job. But, MINI's bonnet stripes are actually printed vinyl (the "S" ones anyway- the ones with the white or black rule on the edges). Printed vinyl is thicker than regular solid-color vinyl and it fades/discolors easier/quicker. :evil: Anyway... use carnuba-based wax (like Turtle Wax's Xtreme Cleaner Wax with Trillicone) on the printed vinyl and you'll get them bright and shiny again. It won't last as long as the Zaino shine on your paint job so you'll have to do the stripes more often than the rest of the car, but the Zaino just isn't enough on MINI's poor quality bonnet stripes.

 

Hi, I just purchased a bunch of stuff for my first detail job (see other thread.) It seems that this will be an all-day affair and lots of work, but I'm strangely looking forward to it. I just hope all these products will arrive by Friday, so I can start first thing Sat. morning!

 

>>If it's your first time, I highly recommend the use of a clay bar. The car's finish will feel wonderful after it and all the nasty contaminents resting on the paint will be gone. Just be sure you do not drop the clay bar on the floor b/c it will pick up tiny particles that could scratch the paint if you continue to use it.
>>
>>haf :smile:

Couldn't agree more!

Buying a clay bar could be the best $10 you ever spend on your MINI.

Even if your paint is 'new', you'll be amazed at how much better it will look (and feel) after using the clay bar.

I used one from Clay Magic, $9.99 at Pep Boys with a sprayer of their lube included.

http://www.clay-magic.com

Just gives an awesome glass like smoothness to the car, a great base for your wax.

Chris.