From the knowledge I've gained from reading many posts on this forum detailing (heh heh... pun intended) members detailing process. I decided to give my MINI the exterior full on treatment.

I always felt it looked good, but the ziplock baggie test revealed that it was wanting in surface prep.

Here's my process:

1. Wash with Dawn dish soap, nice and sudsy, 2 bucket method with grit guards and a wool mitt
2. Simonize clay bar using Dawn solution as lubricant
3. Wash once again with Dawn solution
4. Polish with PC RO, Meguiar's polishing pad and Meguiar's Ultimate compound
5. Buff out with microfiber
6. Apply Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 with Meguiar's finishing pad
7. Buff out once more with microfiber
8. Felt the silkiness under my fingers
9. Step back and admire from all light angles

I had done these steps off an on throughout a weekend, so I really don't know how long it took me, but I'd guess I put about 4 - 5 hours into it. I am always reluctant to drive it when it rains because of all the road crud that attaches after a rain.

I got caught in a downpour on my way home from work and was cringing thinking about what I would see and all my efforts being put to waste.

When I got out of the car to inspect the damage, all I found was minimal traces on the bumper that a quick shot of quick detailer took care of.

It was amazing to me to see how the slick surface was able to resist the build up of rain crud so well.

Here are a few picts for proof (the best I could take at the time):

 

Oooooh! Shiny!

Motor on!

 

I would not use dish soap.

It strips the clear coat over time.......

 

I picked up the idea to use Dawn from these forums. The recommendation is to use Dawn to strip any residual wax/sealant from the surface before doing the clay bar, etc.


What should I be using for this purpose?

 

There are some specialty cleaners out there for stripping the wax. I think Chemical Guys makes one.

But I just use Dawn as well. Twice a year to strip off the old wax should carry minimal risk of damaging the clear coat.

 

Last i checked i believe chemical guys had one.

Honestly 20$ is worth the peace of mind.

I had family use dish soap and eventually it stripped, then again they used it alot more.