It's a mess after this crappy weather but its too cold for me to hook up the hose. Can I take him through a car wash?

 

Of course you can. I do it all the time in PA.

 

Awesome !!! Is there anything I need to do? Do you take off the antenna?

 

I run mine through the carwash quite a bit. There is one locally I can't go through because the guide rail is to high and my Cooper S is to low. Just go easy getting setup to go through and make sure the attendant confirms you will be able to clear the guide rail.

 

If it is brushless no. Most automatic car wash places have attendants that will take the antenna off and fold in the mirrors.

 

Just bear in mind that after a few run throughs, your wax is probably gone(even if brushless/touchless). Otherwise you should be fine.

 

Understood. But I could wax it at home, right? Or no. It's probably too cold for that too. What about the foam wax the car wash uses?? Not good?

 

I wash my car by hand in the summer but in the winter, I go thru the car wash. I don't bother with their "extra's" such as their wax. I'll wait till spring and give my Mini a good wax myself.

 

I'm going to wax mine in about an hour. It's about 40 degrees in my garage. Also might clay bar before waxing. I wash mine in the winter with a waterless car wash, works great.

 

Be careful washing your car in a highpreasure car wash in the winter...it can get water in places that might make a door stick, etc....
mini has changed the suggestion of brushless to highpreasure and back...so i think, you are safe either way...heck i have used both....both have pluses and minuses....i think as long as it it a well matained, modern wadh you are fine...and if you car can sit in a 40 garage overnight when done, much better.

 

Thanks everyone !! Kirby will get a bath tomorrow !

 

40 degrees is warm enough for waxing(just did it last week-even clay bar-ed and polished) but skip the spray wax at the car wash.

 

The automatic car washes do use chemicals to remove road grime...and those chemicals strip off any wax you have on the car (as previously mentioned). But, getting that salt off the undercarriage is probably an O.K. trade off in the winter.

I agree that the "wax" that is used at car wash places isn't of much value. I feel that the car wash process can't spray anything of value on the car that will protect the paint, but won't leave a problem on the windows that could cause a liability for poor visibility.

If you go to the car wash and then drive home, you'll have to reclean the car before apply any sort of wax or polish. Even 10 feet down the road deposits dirt and dust that you'll just grind into the paint as you rub wax onto the paint. Waxing should be done right after washing without driving the car in between.

Touchless washes are far superior to touch type washes. Remember that anything that touches your paint will mar it. So, those brushes and rags they are dragging or spinning over your car contain the dirt from several thousand other cars that were washed since the rags were new in the car wash mechanisms. All that accumulated grime in the car wash machine is similar to running fine sand paper over your paint.

I used to do pro detailing and concours events for decades (with other cars) and it's my experience that washing in your driveway with the proper materials, enough water and the proper technique can't be beat for keeping your paint in good shape and swirl free. The only other thing I will do is a touchless automated wash.

 

I Use car wash soap with "wax in it". After that, I use this spray on, wipe off polish. Way faster and easier than actually waxing! Lasts a good while too.

 

I've taken mine through a couple of times already this winter, just a quick one to get the road grime and salt rinsed off. My favorite are the trackless "LaserWash" style ones; just the L-shaped spray head circling the stationary car.

One advantage with a MINI w/r/t high-pressure concerns: our cars are small enough that the bodywork is generally pretty far from the spray head(s) on the equipment.

 

Soliciting opinions/advice from you all w/r/t washing. Typically in the spring/summer with my VW, I'll go to the hand wash and spend some time there cleaning it, along with automatic car washes other times of the year. I used to be much better about hand detailing it but kind of let it slide over the years.

Anyway, when my MINI gets here I will be planning on returning to hand washing whenever feasible, and probably look into a professional detailing cycle.

Here's my question: I don't have a garage and I'm not supposed to wash my car in the driveway in our HOA (next house this will not be a concern, hah) so that's why I usually go to the hand wash. Usually I use whatever soap and stuff they have at the wash, but am thinking I'll buy my own after looking a little through the detailing forum.

Has anyone used a hand wash just for purposes of using their water? Or have any recommendations on where to go to wash a car if you can't do it at home? Do people think its worth taking my own soap over using theirs?

Next question... How long after getting her should I wait to do stuff like waxing, etc.? The paint will need to cure for a little while first, yes? I don't want her to get too grimy if we start getting snow here, but don't want to mess up the finish at all by doing too much too soon.

Thanks everyone!

 

Can't help you with the rest, but the DIY car washes around here forbid "bucket washing", in other words, using your own soap and a bucket. The foam comes out of the head of one of the brushes that hangs overhead, and you are supposed to wash using that. Sometimes there is also a foaming spray, which is better than using the dirty brush. I have taken my own bucket and soap, but only at times when it isn't busy (because bucket washing is slower than the brush, and you might only put enough change into the machine for the rinse, then again for the rinse off.) Think of it as renting the bay, as well as the water and soap, and then realize that they don't want you using their bay if you are not actively paying for all of the time you are in there. So if you take your own soap, bucket, and wash mitt, be ready with apologies if they get mad at you, and go at times when it won't be too busy.

 

Depending on the dryer, the antenna could be a problem.

 

You should get your new MINI detailed ASAP. Reputable detailers are hard to find but like OctaneGuy(Richard), their new car prep service is priceless.

I would find a detailing/body shop that does hand washes instead of touch less frankly. I have a local body shop that has an indoor bay where I can wash the car myself or they can do it for me for $20. Takes them about an hour though and I watched the first time to make sure they're legit(2bucket wash, no drying blade, etc.) and have been going to them since.

 

Hmm, thanks everyone. I guess I'll do some more research on the local washes and detailers and see what makes the most sense. I don't mind paying for the time/water at the hand wash, just not sure about their products. I now have a starting point though.

Thanks again!

 

I agree. We have been looking for a good detail shop around here for years but I will keep looking.

In the meantime I will take antenna off if I go through. I just wanted to know so I can make sure to get all the good NJ road grime and salt off.

What about the mini dealer? Can they do good detailing?

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Skip dealership detailers. Although there's exceptions to the rule, dealerships generally don't have the luxury of 8-16 hours(nor the profit margin/desire to toss profit margin to pay such a detailer) of detailing time. I've been looking for 4 years now(I've tried word of mouth rec. and luxury car dealerships) and finally found one via a detailing forum. Looked at his site/portfolio and saw excellent work. "Basic" detailing with 1 pass of paint correction(it's meant for upkeep vs pure correction) start at ~$400 and takes about 9-12 hours. The next step up(which I plan to do since my MINI hasn't seen the detailer since its original owner) takes 16-18 hours and is about $600. Add another $70 for an interior detail :P

 

Peep,
Where are you in Jersey? Deluxe Auto Polishing in Westwood is an excellent detail shop. Also does Hand Wash.

 

Wow !! That is great you found someone. I'm not sure if my mini has ever been detailed as I am his second owner. But I do want to take care of him. Esp since its a darker color.

Thanks for the skinny on the dealers !

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Finner. I'm in central jersey... By Trenton. Where is Westwood?

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