Ive looked on the site and have seen the sticky's on OCD cleaning and the like, but as the owner of a new mini, I wanted to know what steps to take to care for my brand new baby.

The first and most critical step in my opinion, was to threaten my MA within an inch of his life not to wash my mini. Explain to him that you DO NOT WANT SWIRL MARKS and if they are present you will not take delivery of the vehicle. This is imperative.

Next, find a program and choose one. I learned how to was a car here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...rdetailing.com

I then cleaned in the following order:

Washed Tires using a separate bucket and ICE, bristle brush, and synthetic fiber brush. ( I used ice here to save the good stuff for the car, and a separate bucket to not infect my wash water with brake dust)
Washed entire car with dawn and wool mit.
Clayed entire car.
Clayed wheels and Glass with "dirty" clay.
Washed with mystique and wool mit.
Used two Absorber rags to remove the bulk of water.
Used one waffle rag to remove remaing water residue.
Taped off all black plastic.
Applied epic.
Drank burbon.
removed epic.
Applied wheel armour.
removed wheel armour.

Next week...

Applied black wow.
Cleaned tires with separate bucket.
Washed car with mystique
dried with waffle rags and hydro.
applied wheel armour.
Drank burbon.
cleaned windows with clarify.
applied rainx to all glass surfaces.

This has really been a blast getting to know how to car for my car, this weekend im off to do the interior! My swifter duster and nero are armed and ready!

Here are the results so far.

 

the term "rag" you wrote does not belong on your paint.

 

Duely noted....please insert the phrase "freshly machine washed Absorber Towel" for the term "rag"

 

Nor does Burbon. Please insert Scotch (single malt) on the rocks.
Thank you.

 

Noted: Please be advised that the term burbon may be substituted with a variety of available spirits, including but not limited to: single malt scotch, whiskey, vodka and tonic, and/or fine sipping tequila. Also note as opposed to prima products, a generous application of the lubricants listed herein should be applied until the desired result is achieved.

 

Oh boy... everyone is DYING to get into the OCD Hall of Fame now...

Nice job, BTW, wjones.

 

I like the burbon bit. I do have a question on the use of dawn. I read somewhere in this or another forum that, diswashing liquids are too harsh. Any comments. An expecting Papa would like advice.

 

The blue version of Dawn is good at stripping natural waxes (not synthetics). But you do not want to use it too often because it will tend to dry out your windown moldings and such.

And congrats on your expectation.

 

From what ive gathered you wash with dawn sparingly to remove any wax. The only reason I used it in my initial wash was to remove anything that MIGHT have been place onto the car prior to delivery.

I will probably only use it again in a year when I do annual maintenance.






"Oh boy... everyone is DYING to get into the OCD Hall of Fame now...

Nice job, BTW, wjones. "


I dont think that my post is deserving of such an honor. I am a mere plebian offering my, at best marginal, advice to those looking for information that I was once looking to gain. It is also a feeble attempt at tooting my own horn. Of course, if such an honor were thrust upon me, who would I be to decline it.

 

huh?

 

Try Dawn on synthetic wax and then put your hose on a light sprinkle setting. Guarantee it still beads up. Synthetic waxes will just laugh at Dawn.

For synthetic wax removal...

P21S Paintwork Cleanser is a recommended first step before waxing. The Cleanser gently removes embedded road grime, old wax, air pollution residue and water spots from your finish. The application is so quick and easy we recommend you do it by hand. This product is an essential companion to P21S Concourse-Look Carnauba Wax.

 

griots ftw

 

and also...

 

Save your money for useful products - just use a 50/50 mix of alcohol & water to strip synthetics.

 

One bourbon, one scotch, and one beer. I knew I left something out of my regimen.

The rubbing alcohol on the rocks was starting to make me lose my eyesight so I tried it, after Dawn, to prep the paint and it seemed to make a difference, removing most of the beading ability.

Amigo-ed and Epic-ed last week. Then we got a big rain.

Rewashed today with Mystique and tried my Banana Gloss for the first time. It was nice in the dying light of the day, I can't wait until the big sun comes around tomorrow.

 

As a toxicologist, it's methanol (windshield washer fluid) that makes you lose your eyesight, not isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Nevertheless, stick with the Jack Daniels. It tastes a little better. Oh, and don't drink the Hydro no matter how good it smells. It's too expensive. Black Wow is also okay to drink (ask lotsie's dog) but WAY too expensive to use as an aperitif.

poyzin

 

I cleaned my interior and used blue paper shop towels to wife down the seats using nero. It smelled sooo good, I put the used paper towels in a zip lock bag, punched a couple of holes in the plastic and put them all in the boot. Its the best air freshner ive ever had!