I don't have a PC so I have to do things by hand. The last time I waxed Tug was with Epic. At the time I didn't know about Hydro, Amigo and Banana Gloss wasn't invented yet. After sitting here and reading this forum for a few hours, the gist, as I understand it, of using Prima products is...

1: Wash the car with Mystique. He was clay-barred a few months ago and is still as slick as a freshly oiled baby's butt.

2: Amigo. Since I'm doing this by hand, if I want the best results, I should use a lot of elbow grease. Right?

3: Epic. Immediately after Amigo? Normal hand application method. Do I need to wipe the Amigo off before I apply Epic or can I Epic right over it? Less steps = a happier me! Hey, it's friggin hot out there!

4: Banana Gloss. Immediately after Epic? Normal hand application method.

5: Hydro. Immediately after Banana Gloss?

I know to use a different application pad for each one and a different microfiber to remove each one. Anything else I need to know before I start this Epic journey on my Amigo, Tug? (pun intended!)

P.S. Yes, I'm taking before and after pix!

 

First of all...I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself.

Start with a bath using the normal formula of Dawn, if you have not already use BW on the Wheel Trim, I'd do that prior to the bath. After bath Amigo, then Epic. You won't need much else, unless someone wants to correct me on this. Banana Gloss is new and as I'm not that familiar with it yet, someone is sure to set you straight on it.

Hydro is a drying agent to use after bath, spray on and dry with a Waffle Weave Microfiber Towel. I got mine from Griot's.

Good Luck!!

 

Hmmmmm... never tried to polish by hand, but I can't imagine getting much results using Amigo by hand. The abrasives in that polish are so fine, it's usually used as a last step in the polishing process, after a more abrasive polish like Cut or Swirl.

You always want to remove one product before applying another. So don't put Epic on top of polish until you've removed the polish. And don't put anything on Epic until you've removed it and allowed it to cure for 24 hours.

If you want to put Banana Glass over the Epic... go for it. It'll add depth to the shine and a little more protection to boot (and to the rest of the MINI).

Man, I can tell you are going to become obsessive about keeping your MINI gorgeous. Trust me... invest the $200 in a Porter Cable R/O buffer and the pads. You will NOT regret it. Best $200 investment you can ever make for your car.

 

I don't really want to drop $200 right now. I do want to eventually get a PC but it's not in the cards right now. If I get the promotion that I'm after then it wouldn't be a problem. So many if's...

On another note... Epic needs to cure for 24 hours before Banana Gloss? Crap! Oh well, the process is the process I guess. Thanks for the info!

 

I just did Epic on my car followed by Banana Gloss (approximately 1 hour later) Is that a problem?

 

This may not be quite what you're looking for, but...on the other hand, it might. I'll start you partway through the thread here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=91153&page=4, but I'm pretty sure you'll get sucked into the whole thing . You might be especially interested in post #92 & 98, as a starting point...

 

Not a "problem". You' just not getting the best effect from the products. Next time, let the Epic cure. Me... I leave it alone for a week and then put another coat of Epic on it. Wait another week, and then put on the BG.

 

This is my new procedure after trying some Prima products. This is my new procedure and I am not saying it is the best or that anyone else should use it. Peruse it, like it, use it, dislike it dump it.
Equipment:

Prima Mystique and Hydro
California Duster
Fire Hose Nozzle – set that little sheeter to sheeting position
3 buckets - 1 soapy water for wheels only - 1 for the Mystique - 1 for rinsing mitt and sponge
Body washing mitt and bug removing sponge
Special sponges and mitt for the bumpers
Wheel washing brushes
Jelly Blade – the jury is still out on this – works ok on glass
Waffle weave towel for drying body and glass
Smaller microfiber towels for wheels and bumpers
Glass cleaner and glass only cloth

Go over whole car with California Duster to remove all surface dust; then wash and sheet the wheels thoroughly. After the wheels are clean sheet the entire car and start by washing the top and sheeting. Work down the car washing the glass, then body panels all the way down to the bumpers making sure to sheet on all the body panels as you go. Wash and sheet the bumpers last.

I tried for the first time my new Jelly Blade on the glass only…it’s ok. [The Jelly Blade is for sale now.] Very sparingly I spritzed Hydro on the body parts starting with the roof and working down drying as I went with a large waffle weave towel. I think I used too much Hydro the first time and also put it on the glass which I later decided was a bad idea. [Since I wrote this I have put Epic and Banana Gloss on all the glass and Hydro the glass after washing.] By using the Hydro more sparingly it appeared I got better results. Next open the doors, bonnet, and boot and dry all around the edges and the openings. Open and close the doors several times to dislodge the water that hides and later seeps out and leaves streaks. Now dry off the wheels with a microfiber cloth only for that purpose and go over with a good quick detailer for brake dust protection. Once satisfied with the body and wheels; use a high quality glass cleaner [inside] and a cloth specially made for glass and put the car back in the garage.

After two coats of Epic apply 1 coat of Banana Gloss and stand back the bright light will blind you.

Optional, drive to favorite mall or drive-in-restaurant to sign autographs and answer questions about how you got your car so beautiful.

 

My only concern about using BG on uncured Epic is that BG has naphtha and may act as a solvent and remove Epic. I would not use BG on Epic until a full cure - at least 24 hours. I actually prefer CRPWMRDETAILJB's method of waiting a week for a second coat of Epic - in case you missed a spot - then a week before using BG.

 

Thanks for the affirmation, MiniMaybeei'llwinsomemorecarshows.

 

Thanks for pointing this out, a very important observation and advice. I should have been more specific in my post. To be sure, I actually waited a couple of days for each coat of Epic to cure before applying Banana Gloss. As an aside, this combination is the best results I have ever had on my car.

 

Does Epic stain black trim?

 

If by stain you mean permanently discolors the black trim, then no. If you mean leaves a white mark - depends. On mine I have no white residue when I get Epic on the trim, others have reported having the issue.
I really think it all boils down to a porosity issue. If the plastic is porous then wax can get into those pores and when it cures, it turns white. I try to avoid getting Epic on my trim, though it is the polish that gives me more headache. To combat this I use Black WOW on the trim before polishing and then waxing.