Cleaning products you've got to have...
 

In one of my magazines, they recommended a couple of products. Now, I will highly recommend them to you. The first is the Autoglym Perfect Palm Applicator.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...&sprefix=autog

This is one of the most amazing products I've ever used. My application of RejeX (more on that later but like a wax) was done in about one-third the time! Then, today, I used it to put on Aerospace Protectant (more on that later too) and it made doing all the interior plastic and rubber a breeze. I'm now going to buy the Autoglym Perfect Palm Microfiber.

Now, I'm also most enthusiastically recommending the Aerospace 303 Protectant. I always hated putting on Armor All and other products that are messing and sticky. This stuff has SPF 40 sun protection. Apparently it works but I won't know that for a while. However, I can confirm that it penetrates the plastic and rubber and leaves no residue. It is the best I've ever used and a snap with the Autoglym applicator, which helped to complete this tedious task in maybe one-fourth the time. I wish I hadn't already done some of the exterior plastic.

http://www.amazon.com/303-Products-A...1016463&sr=1-1

The last product is RejeX, which is a paint, glass and hard plastic sealant.

http://www.amazon.com/Corrosion-Tech...1016495&sr=1-1

Some of you know I've been promoting this product since I started coming to the group. For the first application, you need to polish your paint both to make it look its best and to remove the wax. Then, you apply the RejeX. You will never wax or polish again! Nothing sticks to this stuff. It was developed for NASA to coat blades in outer space to prevent dirt build up. The Porsche guys were the first to discover the auto application. I've used it for maybe eight years now. You just apply and remove it. No rubbing like wax. At the end of the winter, all that crap built up just disappeared with the first washing. It beaded better than a fresh wax job. I do it twice a year on the Mini but only once on my wife's car and it does fine. Forget all those twelve step processes - this is it. Oh, and forget Rainex - this a far better and lasts far longer!

Unfortunately, I can't make the breakfast this coming Saturday to show you all the results. I should see you in May. Andy

I am a HUGE fan of Griots! I just detailed my car last weekend and the results were amazing. The Paint Cleaning Clay was super easy to use and it quickly removed all the water marks and old bugs on the paint. I followed that up by testing out the Griots Orbital Polisher and the One-Step Sealant. The Orbital Polisher and Sealant made the process of polishing a very quick task taking less than an hour. I followed that up with the Griots Best of Show Wax. Warning, only use this product if you want the best shine available. Using the orbital made this process a breeze also. From beginning to end, the polishing and waxing took less than 2 hours.

For the interior I prefer simply wiping everything down with the Griots Interior Cleaner and microfiber towel. Oddly enough, under the hood I discovered that the Griots Vinyl and Rubber Dressing works the best. Just simply spray everything down, letting it soak in for a few minutes, and then wipe everything off.

To make the unsightly areas under your wheel wells sparkle even better than your freshly waxed car use the Griots Undercarriage Spray. It is as simple as just spraying the Undercarriage Spray in your wheel wells and on your suspension components. Surprisingly spray will keep these areas shiny even after a wash or two.

For normal day to day maintenance a quick dusting with the with Griots Microfiber Duster followed by wiping it down with the Griots Speed Shine. After washes I recommend spraying your Mini down with Griots Spray-On Wax before drying it off.

As you can easily see I am a huge fan or Griots. After being introduced to the product 2 years ago at the car detailing class offered by OutMotoring I refuse to use anything else. :thumbsup:

On Andy's advice I bought a bottle of RejeX. I've used it on my NOT N MG & it does seem to make cleaning dead bugs & road apple residue pretty easy. Although it does live a pampered life of leisure. I'm still in the testing phase so I'll reserve judgement for now.

I have not used RejeX on the MINI. My MINI sees a whole lot of weather & is out on the road all of the time & it would be a good test of RejeX. Maybe Andy can help me with the application process. So far I have used Prima Epic once a year & Prima Hydro with every wash. Man I love that stuff. For the plastic outer bits I use Wizards. On the inside I'm a fan of Prima Nero. I also like Griots products. I use speed shine by the gallon & really like Griots spray wash.

Hey, Papa Silverback - I know I'll win you over!

Okay, let's see, first, you've got your Griot's paint cleaning clay (with RejeX you'll have no water marks and old bugs to start with). Second, you've got your Griot's One-Step Sealant done with your ultra expensive Griot's orbital polisher. Third, you've got your Griot's Best In Show wax. Then, in-between, you've got your Griot's Speed Shine.

If you're adventurous, why not give RejeX a try. Make life easy. Yes, my Mini isn't driven that many miles (although it sits outside during the day) but my wife's Prius does about 15,000 miles a year so I know how RejeX works under those conditions. Do you remember the Griot's guy that did demos at our Mini breakfasts? At one of those, when he was going through his multiple step process, I told him I applied a product six months earlier that will bead better than a new wax job. He laughed. I told him to get some water and pour it on my car. He did. He just walked away and didn't say a word. Griot's has some excellent products, but they also do some very creative marketing. I'm close to turning 67 and I've been waxing and detailing cars since I was a kid. I've never found anything to come close to RejeX.

The Aerospace Sealant and the palm applicator are amazing as well. So, if you're someone who doesn't have a great deal of time to spend, give them a try. Andy

Andy when are you coming over to the demo on my MINI?:) It's hella dirty right now.

PS: I don't use sealer or best of show wax. The orbital was purchased at a fire sale price. I do love speed shine & hydro the best. :nod:

So I should stop doing a spit shine on my entire car? That would be nice I get pretty dehydrated by the end.

Sure, as long as your spittin RejeX. :razz:

Well Allen since you didn't come over & spit clean the MINI I had to do it myself. Not spit, just Griots car warsh & H2o, then a spritz with Hydro... :grin: Looking good, I expect rain tomorrow morning. :no:

Dear Mr. Crashton: I would love to find one of those rare Saturdays with a open schedule and come over to your wonderfully equipped garage and do the RejeX-thing on the Blue Brit, along with my other new discoveries. Like I said, Chuck, I'm going to make you a believer! And, if I make you a believer, then I know a bunch of Mini breakfast dudes that will follow since you are the well-deserved Papa Silverback. I hope you guys have a good time this Saturday - I'll miss being there. Andy

Sorry you can't make it Saturday And, we will miss you... Rejex is in the past. The latest is Junkie spit. :lol: :wink:

Andy, what Chuck meant to say is please drive your Ultralight to his house on the day of River Run, he will then run some errands very close to his house while you clean Blue Brit. I will follow him in his Miata, just to make sure he does not drive too far.

Oh yes, that is the ticket!!! :grin: x100

Well, Alan, the warp-speed Ultralite is sold, at least I have a non-refundable deposit and the buyer has until May 31 to pay the remainder and pick it up. Long story but essentially the issue is I am not a mechanic and the car still needs sorting, I decided it had to go. However, I am buying 1995 Caterham that has been meticulously maintained by the same owner for nine years. He did a frame-off restoration in '07. It is old-school. The plan is to pick it up May 1 in Naperville, Ill. Now, as for Papa Silverback driving the Ultralite, we'll need a rather big shoe horn since the Papa Silverback is always the dominant, large male! My back-of-the-pack body is just about right. If you're interested, you can look at the specs and see lots of pictures here:

http://sites.google.com/site/geesseven/

See you guys in May!

My plan was to swing by Harbor Freight & get a porta power. A couple of pumps & I'd fit just fine. Wide-body Ultra Lite FTW. :) We can do the same to the 7. :wink:

That looks really nice. The guy across the street from me has a Lotus 7 I think it is a 63 orange nose and fenders. It is pretty much my ultimate dream car.

Those are sweet cars. For a tool kit all you need is a rock, very old school.

Hey, Alan, (or is it Allen?), I'd like to get your neighbor's name and maybe an e-mail contact or phone number. I've found one other Seven owner in Columbus (he has a Birkin and a true Lotus Series 3 Seven he is restoring) and I guess there is a pretty exotic Caterham up in Dublin but I don't have a contact for him.

Chuck, we'll get you in this new one and then absolutely take a picture!

It is Allen, I will try to wave him down this weekend and get you his information. His name is Al and he is an architech. His 7 does not get out very often, but when I hear it start I drop what I am doing and run to the window :)

Allen:is his name Al Bornstein? He's the fellow with the Birkin and the old Lotus. He lives in Bexley, I believe. If it is the same Al, I've talked with him and we will get together hopefully soon. Thanks, Andy

Yep I am 99% sure that is him. I live in Bexley sp that would make sense. I did not know he had a Birkin as well. I know he has a nice Jag X-Type wagon, I think it is actualy the only X-Type Wagon I have ever seen.

Jag X type wagons are very rare here. I read somewhere that under 500 made it stateside. Jag x type = Ford Mondeo.

Andy there is a 7 that lives on Mountview Rd in Upper Arlington.

His is black, quite possibly the best color for that car. BRG would be a close second.

I can't to see the new car in person! Maybe Allen will spit shine it for you.

BRG with yellow wheels & stripe FTW. Lotus colors.... :grin:

The original Lotus 7 was white! This is according to the seller of the car I'm buying - apparently he's seen it in person in a U.K. museum. I really can't say why I like the whte so much, but I do.

Chuck, is the house in U.A. one you drive by on your route? If so, can you get the house number? Don't make any special effort but it would be nice to know. Andy