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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Just bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S -- my first Mini ever! Cars in great shape. Just took it into the shop and it needs a new battery and one of the brake sensors replace, but that's pretty much it. Great car, so much fun to drive -- I've wanted one for years! And I love the owners manuals -- I sit in bed reading them and laughing, much to my wife's confusion!
Some newb questions about cleaning an older car.
1) The inside has an odor. Sort of like too many french fries left under the seat for too long. Even after cleaning and vacuming, the smell comes back if I leave the windows or sunroom closed. Any suggestions how to get rid of it? I found some stuff that actually emits chlorine gas, specifically to kill odor-causing bacteria in cars. But there are all these warnings about how it can corrode metal and vynal... Plus it's deadly poisonous to people too! I'm a bit scared to use it. Anyone try this?
2) The black stripes on the hood are splotchy and a bit faded. Any way to clean them? Can I wax them with ordinary wax, with that help? Otherwise the body is pretty perfect except for a few pant dings from pebbles I suspect.
when daughter started a new job the 'fridge in the break room stank to high heaven .. looked clean but stunk like old fish. So much so she would not put here lunch in.
She put one of these bags in and in a few days smell gone ....
Stripes are probably a peel and replace. Mine are going on a 2011, so I imagine yours are done.
Never had luck with baking soda or other products. Best bet is carpet and upholstery cleaner. Or smoke cigarettes since that will kill off odors and you. I had a used bmw that was a smoker car and the odor was there for several years.
Just bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S -- my first Mini ever! Cars in great shape. Just took it into the shop and it needs a new battery and one of the brake sensors replace, but that's pretty much it. Great car, so much fun to drive -- I've wanted one for years! And I love the owners manuals -- I sit in bed reading them and laughing, much to my wife's confusion!
Some newb questions about cleaning an older car.
1) The inside has an odor. Sort of like too many french fries left under the seat for too long. Even after cleaning and vacuming, the smell comes back if I leave the windows or sunroom closed. Any suggestions how to get rid of it? I found some stuff that actually emits chlorine gas, specifically to kill odor-causing bacteria in cars. But there are all these warnings about how it can corrode metal and vynal... Plus it's deadly poisonous to people too! I'm a bit scared to use it. Anyone try this?
2) The black stripes on the hood are splotchy and a bit faded. Any way to clean them? Can I wax them with ordinary wax, with that help? Otherwise the body is pretty perfect except for a few pant dings from pebbles I suspect.
Thanks all.
-Dan
Welcome to NAM and the world of MINI Motoring Sounds like you received some great advice on odor removal. Please post some pix of your MINI when you have a chance. In the meantime, here's a handy maintenance and service guide to help you out:
yes the stripes are almost certainly just a vinyl tape and can be peeled off (a lil heat from a hot day or a hair drier can help)
We just bought a leftover 15 Roadster and the silver stripes on it are faded and a bit splotchy too ... and the white ones on my BRG 07 showed dirt spots after about 5 years despite garage and regular cleaning.
I've had some luck with using a clay bar on the stripes, then applying a GOOD vinyl protection product like 303 .... I use Zymol myself. After this dries (days) I wax over (usually use Meguires). The 15's look better now . . .
We may remove the stripes from the new one, this was spousal unit's original desire (no stripes) but she has since decided to wait a bit for a final decision. For you a factor to consider is what color is your car? It is possible your main color has some sun fade and if so, then you can end up with ghost stripes .... the paint under the stickers did not fade ....
And no, you can NOT buff this out ... remember your paint has a clear coat so buff all you want, you are just buffing the clear and it is the color UNDER the clear that faded. Reds and greens are bad for fade .... metallics worse than non's.
Of course you can buy a new set and re-apply . . . if done right ghosting should be almost invisible.
I sniffed around this weekend (literally) and found that the smell is coming from the trunk. There had been standing water there when I test drove the car and the previous owner said that "just happened from a spill". Should have known it was the cause! I pulled out the tray and all the tools and scrubbed and soaked everything in a mix of Peroxide and Dawn detergent that someone recommended. Took the smell away! But no matter how much I scrubbed the trunk floor, it still stinks, especially when wet. So I'm leaving it out of the Mini for a while just to be sure it was the problem, then I'll just buy a new trunk floor -- only $43 at ECS, that's a pretty cheap fix if that's all it is!
Sounds like you received some great advice on odor removal. Please post some pix of your MINI when you have a chance. In the meantime, here's a handy maintenance and service guide to help you out:
