Interior/Exterior Is there a fix for the dirty rear end?
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4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 336
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From: California
We've all done it...washed the car, taken it for a quick spin around the block to get the excess water off before drying it, then looked at the rear of the car and seen that it is already dusty and/or dirty from road debris that was kicked up during the little drive.
Of course the dirt gets worse when you get on the road properly and I'm just wondering...do mud flaps or splash guards (whatever you wanna call them) help the situation any?
Have any of you added some that look good and are not just a horrible looking piece of plastic?
Or does the dirt get there because of the aerodynamics of the car and the guards aren't even going to help out?
Thanks,
Ken
Of course the dirt gets worse when you get on the road properly and I'm just wondering...do mud flaps or splash guards (whatever you wanna call them) help the situation any?
Have any of you added some that look good and are not just a horrible looking piece of plastic?
Or does the dirt get there because of the aerodynamics of the car and the guards aren't even going to help out?
Thanks,
Ken
Yes, it's the aerodynamics...and the fact that the rear wheels are so close to the end of the car (with no practical overhang). And no, there aren't any rear mudflaps for the S. They exist for the standard Cooper, but rumor has it that they don't really do anything there either.
I asked this question when I was a relatively new owner, and was told that living with the dirty butt was something I'd get used to. True enough.
I asked this question when I was a relatively new owner, and was told that living with the dirty butt was something I'd get used to. True enough.
Coordinator :: South East - Florida
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
We call it "hatch-back a**"
The only good solution is constant washing.
I hate it as well, especially with a black MINI.
Guess you have to take the bad with the good.
The only good solution is constant washing.
I hate it as well, especially with a black MINI.
Guess you have to take the bad with the good.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
Ken,
I have an IB, too, and keep a duster handy for between washes. I may dust the rear end 3-4 times a day. Since there's not much to it, it just takes a second. I also generally use my large duster for the main surfaces, but for the recesses on either side of the license plate I use a small duster. IMO, go easy on the duster...use it when you have to but turn to the car wash more. IB is very susceptible to micro-marring.
I have an IB, too, and keep a duster handy for between washes. I may dust the rear end 3-4 times a day. Since there's not much to it, it just takes a second. I also generally use my large duster for the main surfaces, but for the recesses on either side of the license plate I use a small duster. IMO, go easy on the duster...use it when you have to but turn to the car wash more. IB is very susceptible to micro-marring.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,244
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From: Speedway
My IB looks like a powdered-sugar coated blueberry right now (road salt). I like blueberries and sugar. <must hold urges to lick the sugar off tho... has a wild twang and the after taste stays a while.> 
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,892
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From: Long Island, New York
I never cleaned a car..... in my entire history of owning cars..more that this MCS !!!
It's an infant who smiles ...from ear to ear... when he/she is depositing something into the diaper
It's a toddler who doesn't really understand how to get the "food" into his/her mouth quite yet and doesn't understand that painting w/ food is not considered finger painting :smile:
It's a child that always has a dirty room.... and doesn't own a piece of clothing w/o a stain on it :smile:
It's a adult that never quite looks...showered... and the phrase" dirtbag" comes to mind when thinking of him/her :smile:
Keeping these cars clean is not a job ..but a career!!!!
JMHO :smile:
JUST KEEP ON WASHING IT..is all I can suggest :smile:
Peace,
D
_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.
It's an infant who smiles ...from ear to ear... when he/she is depositing something into the diaper
It's a toddler who doesn't really understand how to get the "food" into his/her mouth quite yet and doesn't understand that painting w/ food is not considered finger painting :smile:
It's a child that always has a dirty room.... and doesn't own a piece of clothing w/o a stain on it :smile:
It's a adult that never quite looks...showered... and the phrase" dirtbag" comes to mind when thinking of him/her :smile:
Keeping these cars clean is not a job ..but a career!!!!
JMHO :smile:
JUST KEEP ON WASHING IT..is all I can suggest :smile:
Peace,
D
_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.
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Neutral
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1
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Just keep reminding yourself that it's worth it. I may be one of the few who owned a 'classic' mini - it did the same thing. Same as my '83 GTI. Same as my '86 GTI. Those who've cited aerodynamics as the culprit are correct.In a wind tunnel, a bar of soap is representative of an ideal shape. Wind approaches a smooth shape and leaves in a relatively smooth shape. A Mini is like a bar of soap cut in half. Wind approaches the smooth shape - then turbulence occurs at the abrupt cutoff of the Mini's hatch, creating in essence a whirlwhind, which casts and swirls dirt particles back toward the vehicle. I live in Seattle - where rain enhances this phenonemon seemingly tenfold. (Also my Cooper S is BLACK!)
I guess I'm venting more than answering your question.
However, now that I'm an older and have a little more money, I drive an old Saab Turbo with 300K miles to work and back (60 miles a day) while my Mini sits comfortably in a warm garage where there is NO turbulence.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
Mine is also powdered-sugar coated mouse because of its color...
I hate salt on the road and snow, too.
However, Mini's rear wiper is perfect to keep the rear view and you can't drive without it.
Now it's my custom to wash my car once a week even in the freezing cold winter time.
I believe this should be the standard for all the MINI oweners...
Because MINI must be shining all the time!
Happy motoring!
I hate salt on the road and snow, too.
However, Mini's rear wiper is perfect to keep the rear view and you can't drive without it.
Now it's my custom to wash my car once a week even in the freezing cold winter time.
I believe this should be the standard for all the MINI oweners...
Because MINI must be shining all the time!
Happy motoring!
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 2
From: South Bend, Indiana
SOLUTION FOUND!!! I now drive in reverse everywhere I go.
It is amazing how clean the rear (now the front) stays! And
the bonnet (now the rear) stays much cleaner than the rear
(now the front) ever used to. I'm tellin' you: try this out.
I have found that most people don't know the front from
the back on this car anyway, so it really doesn't confuse
people much... Got to see the doctor about this sore neck
though...
God speed.
It is amazing how clean the rear (now the front) stays! And
the bonnet (now the rear) stays much cleaner than the rear
(now the front) ever used to. I'm tellin' you: try this out.
I have found that most people don't know the front from
the back on this car anyway, so it really doesn't confuse
people much... Got to see the doctor about this sore neck
though...
God speed.
It's all about the shape. My wife's New Beetle can be driven cross country in a driving rainstorm and arrive looking like there's barely a spot of dirt on it. (Aside from dead bug carcasses on the front bumper.) On the other hand, my MCS can be driven down the street on a sunny fall day and by the time I get to the end of the subdivision, there's dirt and dust all over the back of the car. Just a hazard of ownership, I guess...
The answer is RejeX, a polymer based "wax" developed for the military. Check out their website, http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html.
Just like wax, you apply it with a towel, wipe it off, then let it "cure" for 12 hrs. Bugs and dirt don't stick. Works very well for keeping your wheels clean, especially the fronts.
It won't change the shape of the MINI's rear end, but your's won't be dragging from struggling to wipe off the dirt.
One caution, however. Don't do the insides of your wheels before you change your tires & have them re-balanced. The wheel weights won't stick worth a damn. Just ask "Barngal"
Happy Motoring
Charlie
Just like wax, you apply it with a towel, wipe it off, then let it "cure" for 12 hrs. Bugs and dirt don't stick. Works very well for keeping your wheels clean, especially the fronts.
It won't change the shape of the MINI's rear end, but your's won't be dragging from struggling to wipe off the dirt.
One caution, however. Don't do the insides of your wheels before you change your tires & have them re-balanced. The wheel weights won't stick worth a damn. Just ask "Barngal"
Happy Motoring
Charlie
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee FL
So you recommend Rejex? I've been thinking about trying it after reading about it here on NAM a few months back. Does it really work as well as advertised?
>>The answer is RejeX, a polymer based "wax" developed for the military. Check out their website, http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html.
>>
>>Just like wax, you apply it with a towel, wipe it off, then let it "cure" for 12 hrs. Bugs and dirt don't stick. Works very well for keeping your wheels clean, especially the fronts.
>>
>>It won't change the shape of the MINI's rear end, but your's won't be dragging from struggling to wipe off the dirt.
>>
>>One caution, however. Don't do the insides of your wheels before you change your tires & have them re-balanced. The wheel weights won't stick worth a damn. Just ask "Barngal"
>>
>> Happy Motoring
>>
>>Charlie
>>
>>The answer is RejeX, a polymer based "wax" developed for the military. Check out their website, http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html.
>>
>>Just like wax, you apply it with a towel, wipe it off, then let it "cure" for 12 hrs. Bugs and dirt don't stick. Works very well for keeping your wheels clean, especially the fronts.
>>
>>It won't change the shape of the MINI's rear end, but your's won't be dragging from struggling to wipe off the dirt.
>>
>>One caution, however. Don't do the insides of your wheels before you change your tires & have them re-balanced. The wheel weights won't stick worth a damn. Just ask "Barngal"
>>
>> Happy Motoring
>>
>>Charlie
>>
>>So you recommend Rejex? I've been thinking about trying it after reading about it here on NAM a few months back. Does it really work as well as advertised?
At Charlie's suggestion, I tried it on my wheels to decrease my whining about the brake dust from the stock pads. Worked Great!
So good, that when I got new wheels, I took special care to Rejex the whole thing (except where the tire beads and mounts) before I got the tires mounted.
......Tire guy, scraching his head..."Couldn't figure it out--I never had a wheel I couldn't use the stick on weights before!" He was able to balance them, just used a different mounting weight...
MUCH easier to clean my wheels of brake dust...I haven't noticed that it prevents the dust from forming, but it washes off so much easier. One thing about the Rejex--the instructions recommend you don't wax over it, or it might not be able to work as well, so if you use it, no waxing that part!
At Charlie's suggestion, I tried it on my wheels to decrease my whining about the brake dust from the stock pads. Worked Great!
So good, that when I got new wheels, I took special care to Rejex the whole thing (except where the tire beads and mounts) before I got the tires mounted.
......Tire guy, scraching his head..."Couldn't figure it out--I never had a wheel I couldn't use the stick on weights before!" He was able to balance them, just used a different mounting weight...
MUCH easier to clean my wheels of brake dust...I haven't noticed that it prevents the dust from forming, but it washes off so much easier. One thing about the Rejex--the instructions recommend you don't wax over it, or it might not be able to work as well, so if you use it, no waxing that part!
http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html should work Or, do a Google search on "rejex"
Charlie
Charlie
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
The reason the link doesnt work is because everyon puts a . at the end of the link :evil: Stop doing that people! Making me click and hit the backspace key and enter. So much work!
Dirty boots suck!
I left for alaska, my car sat there with a dirty rear end for a week
As soon as I got home I jumped in the car, went to the bank for cash, went to the car wash and washed my baby. Then parked it in the garage. Now its raining outside.... in chicago? Didnt it just snow, and also was 61°F ??? I hate this weather.
Down with dirty boots!
Dirty boots suck!
I left for alaska, my car sat there with a dirty rear end for a week
As soon as I got home I jumped in the car, went to the bank for cash, went to the car wash and washed my baby. Then parked it in the garage. Now its raining outside.... in chicago? Didnt it just snow, and also was 61°F ??? I hate this weather.
Down with dirty boots!
