I just bought my first mini. It will be a 3rd car for us, and unfortunately I only have a two car garage. It will have to live outside all year.

My two concerns with this car are:

1) The black trim. I haven't had a car with trim like this since my 1990 VW Golf. Is there any way to keep it from fading over time? Back when I had the VW, I don't think there were any good products to use on the trim (lots of crappy ones). Is there anything new that preserves the color?

2) The headlight lenses. I've never had a problem with them hazing on my other cars, but I haven't had a car that wasn't garaged either. What causes this? I plan to hand wash the car (like I do my others), and I never use anything but soap and water on them.


Thanks for anyone that can help.
For anyone who wants to know: I love this car. It's a 2013 hardtop, with no options (except the hood stripes). So far I added the center armrest, mud flaps (major PIA install), all-weather mats, custom sunshade (all OEM), plus a tow-hook front license plate holder (thank you NJ), and the Cravenspeed iPhone holder thingy that mounts on the back of the tach. Not planning on any performance mods, but potentially this car could become a Spec B racer someday. I already have a 2011 BMW 335is for when I feel like going fast.

 

There are treatments for the exterior black trim that you can get in almost any automotive cleaning aisle, some are called 'Back to black', 'Black restore', etc; I believe TurtleWax makes one that they say blocks UV (which will deteriorate the plastic over time).

The best solution for the headlights would be a clear protective film made by companies such as 3M (search 3M clear bra), that will keep the lens protect from the elements. If you don't use a film them make sure you're waxing the lenses when you're waxing the rest of your car, it won't protect it forever but it will certainly prolong the life.

And on the note of wax, if this will be sitting outside all of it's life then it is highly recommended that you routinely wax the car every season (every 3 months) to keep the paint from fading/deteriorating.

HTH and congrats!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm familiar with how to take care of paint, and yes, I already waxed it (day after I took delivery). I'm also familiar with the 3M film, but I've never felt the need to use it, and I worry about how it holds up over time. Does it yellow or get opaque? Does it remove easily?
If anyone else has experience with that Turtle Wax stuff you mentioned, please speak up. There's lots of stuff out there that probably does more harm than good, so I'm skeptical.
I see you're in Germany. Back in August I flew into Frankfurt and rented a 335D to drive up and back to Hamburg. That was the most fun I've had in a car other than at the track.

 

When the sun and weather start taking their toll on your plastic trim, do not waste your money and time on the dozens of inferior products out there. Get Black Wow. Period.

I have yet to see a MINI with the hazing headlight problem. If that does happen, some fine polish will fix it. Using a buffer is the best way to apply it.

 

BTW.... sounds like you are serious about maintaining the appearance of your MINI. After a random orbital buffer, the most important item in your arsenal is detailing clay. Trust me... you want it.

 

As the previous poster says Black Wow is the best. But since the car is relegated to the outdoors you will have to use it more often. The lights should not fog but I don't park mine outside. Still I don't think that will be a problem. All types of covers for the lights, 3M and others will eventually have to be replaced. It's a good idea to use them but nothing lasts forever. (It's called normal maintenance.) The random orbital and clay you cannot do without.

 

^As others have said, Black-Wow is going to be very important in keeping your plastics clean. If you really want to keep the car in the best shape you can, you need to be waxing it once a month, not once every 3. Personally, I find that paint sealant is just as important than wax, as it's a foundation product for all other products to enhance. Seal your paint every 3-6 months. Paint sealant acts like sun-block on your skin. Very important product to have and apply only every few months.

Wax is your friend. I (like most) don't have time to apply wax by hand, so I choose a speed wax in a bottle (or my detailer applies it via a DA polisher). Many people do not realize how useful speed wax can really be. It's routine to take 10 minutes & spray my whole car down as well as the wheels, wheel barrels (inner wheel areas), and any other areas where dirt may have accumulated but was missed in a wash.

The term 'hand car wash' can mean many things... I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the two bucket method, and creating a habit of using NOTHING but clean towels to clean, wipe and apply products to your paint. Personally, I find myself going through about 10 microfibers a month. These are the only towels you should be using for paint.

Hope that helps,

Bradley

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check out Black Wow when I'm done laughing at the name. Sounds like an infomercial from the Chapelle show.

I use clay before every wax, and I use detailer's spray after every wash (Griott's speed shine). Like I said- I'm quite familiar with taking care of the paint. Waxing once a month sounds a little over the top, but I'm sure it would keep the paint in great shape. I find that with the detailer spray, I can extend the life of the wax significantly.

Also, is there anything special to do to take care of my 'Pleather'? I've never had a car with this stuff, but it's much nicer than the stuff they used to use many years ago. I would assume it's pretty hearty, but does it dry out? Can I use leather conditioner on there (if only for the smell)?

Thanks again.

 

Like they said the black wow is the best.

 

^Speed shine is what I ultimately meant by 'waxing once a month.'

 

Hi Dashdog. I bought a '12 model back in Dec. 2011. It's lived outside since then and in 1 years time the car has changed very little. For the plastic cladding I've been using MINI's vinyl protectant on it at every car wash. I have had the car waxed once in Jan and then a second time in July. I think 2 times a year is sufficient with a good quality wax. Also, for the headlamps, I bought a product called lamin-x (http://www.lamin-x.com/) I have it on my Z3 as well and the headlamps still look as new, and also protects from road rash. When you order you can opt for a bottle of protectant which you can spray on the lenses after every wash to protect the covers from UV as well. As for the front plate, well, caution to the wind here. Our 128i and MINI and Z3 have not sported front plates for almost a year without a problem, probably because we live so close to PA.


Good luck!
Al.

 

Thank god Minis have a 12 year corrosion warranty too.

 

Sketch has some good points on the towels and making sure they're clean before use. You almost don't realize how much dirt they've trapped until they're cleaned.

Speed shine is good stuff as a quick detailer, but it has no protective qualities and isn't a wax. Griots does have a wax as you dry product, spray-on wax. It doesn't last very long but gets the job done if you're using it often.

 

Thanks for the info. I had my VW for 5 years without a front tag- no problems, but my wife may actually drive this car and refuses to go 'commando'.
I didn't realize Mini made a vinyl protectant. Sounds like something made for a convertible top, but I'll check it out.
BTW- I'm not far from you, in Mt. Laurel.

I know it's not wax, but I think the wax lasts longer when I use it after washing. I tried their spray wax- not a big fan. More work than speed shine, yet doesn't offer much protection, and pretty much washes off with water. Not worth the extra effort IMO.

 

I totally agree with you on the spray on wax that they have. I love the speed shine though. Works great on a ton of things, including inside the house. Does a better job of shining up granite countertops than most of the cheap granite cleaners and doesn't do a bad job on SS appliances either. Obviously it's great on the car and smells awesome too.

 

i've been using 303 aerospace protectant on my plastic and rubber bits and i'm very happy with the results. also i can't recommend enough blackfire crystal seal and the polymer spray for exterior protection. it's amazing stuff.

 

I've always used 303 Protectant! I use it inside and out and it keeps the black outside looking like new. You can just wipe it on after your mini's bath. It has a UV protectant in it so you never have to worry about fading. We own a marina and all our boat manufactures recommend using it on the boat furniture at least once a summer.
Enjoy your new ride!