you know, richard/octaneguy's 2 bucket with grit guards at the bottom has made my mini BRG/BRG paint look fresher than 1 year old car going to a car wash. I drive it in NYC, into forest areas, 115k miles on it.

I have never polished it I know i could or should and probably will. However, Klasse is the best for durability and protection and really, being that its the only car I own, it really has stood up to almost a year of wear each time in terrible driving conditions and blazing summers.

anyways, 2 bucket car washing with either Prima's carwash or Griot's car wash in slightly her concentrations is most important way to keep a finish looking nice.

thats my 5 cents after this many years. I will polish it one day though once i get work done on bumpers.

 

Looks like there hasn't been any updates to this thread since December 2013 so I might as well ask a few questions. Just got my first MINI Cooper S and want to restock on some detailing materials. Looking for the best product suggestions for the following products:

— Claybar
— Wax
— Polish
— Tire Shine
— Fender Flare treatment
— Shamois
— Microfiber towels
— Hand towels
— Car Soap

I'm sure this has been discussed, however this thread doesn't look to be updated since December 2013.

 

See my replys in bold.

 

I use a few different products, but Ovrclck is spot on.

 

which Black Wow do you use and where do you get it from? I found a Black Wow, a Black Wow Trim Restorer, and a Black Cleaner & Restorer kit on Amazon, but is there a better site to buy it? Do you know which is best to use for the exterior black trim around the bottom of the car and around the roof-line. I see that a lot of people in this forum recommend it so I wanna give it a try, just wanna get the right one.

 

I bought my direct from Showcardetailing when Richard was doing some spot work for me recently.

The 2oz from Amazon is more than enough. Should last you a long time. Just use some All Purpose Cleaner (APC) before hand to get all the grime off.

 

is there any difference between the 4oz which just says Black Wow and the 2oz which is labeled a "trim restorer"?

 

No difference.

http://blackwow.com/products/BlackWowClassic.html

 

In that case I might go for that kit Amazon is selling, $10 more for the pre wow cleaner, 2 applicator pads, brush, and towel. Thanks for the help!

 

 

For those who are serious or just want to learn the proper way to detail and care for their car inside and out check out this Web site. Once you are there, click on videos!

https://www.ammonyc.com/videos/

This guys a PRO and it's the same way I learned how to detail properly to get the most out of your car. Hope you enjoy ........

Brian

 

Aloha from Hawaii chaps! as a former Corvette owner, I know how to detail a car and spend a day doing it! Metallic pearl paint!

Anyhoo.. with a white Mini I'm wondering if that sort of detail is overkill?

its not metallic paint. Will a reputable car wash be repugnant for this little rocket?

Cheers !

 

I think the goal with MINIs and Mini's is much more reasonable. Car wash, Ok, $500 for a 3-4 step process to level the paint, Not Ok. Maybe a clay bar every year or so, when its a just that kind of day. I just don't see a high level of paint detail with a car you happily apply vinyl graphics to.....

 

I think it's really a personal thing along with time constraints. Really any car wash is going to be an issue because they just used the same media to clean a zillion cars to also clean yours. Obviously some places are better than others and it's not always realistic for you to be able to clean it all of the time on your own. I still prefer to clean it myself over the car wash.

 

Johnson's Baby shampoo contains no detergent which will reduce swirl marks as will a wet chamois used to dry when finished.

 

No chamois please. Sheet the water off then use a blower to remove the rest. If you must use a towel or something similar to dry make sure it is a deep pile microfiber to minimize the potential of a piece of debris being rubbed into the paint.

Edit 9/13:

As I read the quoted post the more I realize that is just bad advice.

Detergents don't cause swirl marks. A sponge, wash mitt etc. that is filled with dirt and debris, along with a drying towel and/or chamois with any embedded debris, dragged across the paint surface will cause swirl marks and scratches. You are best to use a dedicated car wash shampoo that is PH neutral and high lubricity. The neutral PH will ensure any wax and/or sealant remains after the wash and the high lubricity will ensure that your wash mitt glides smoothly across the paint, thereby reducing the potential for swirl marks.

 

Call me lazy. Took my 2018 Countryman and had a clear bra installed, then ceramic coat over the entire car. Hit it with a hose and it all sheets off. Done deal.

I have had a number of exotics and was a slave to clay bars and expensive waxes. No more! Life is good!

 

Hi melting, where did you have this done? I want to be lazy too! ��������

 

What products did you use? Give us some details.

 

I went with 3M PPF and a ceramic called Sigma Kore on top of the PPF. Only a week of experience with it, but delighted so far.