This thread is my try at documenting how I intend to wash my mini (when I eventually get it.)

Basic assumptions: I'm a noob at car washing/detailing. My idea of washing my car was to take it to the car wash. In fact, my friends are laughing their heads off about this knowing how messy my cars have been in the past.

I don't expect to go all OCD over keeping my mini looking good. To me time spent on caring for my car is time that I'm not out driving it. And money spent on keeping it clean is money that I don't have for modding it. However, I expect to be driving it well beyond 6 years & I want it to still be in good shape if/when it retires...

I live in Northern California where water is relatively expensive, so I'll be using a nearby coin-operated self-wash.

Note that I don't expect to get my mini for 9 months or even longer (or maybe never. ) It's the reward for working hard to be able to drive again. I'm 56 now and haven't been able to drive since having a stroke in September 2008. I troll these forums to keep my motivation up while I do all the boring rehab that's necessary to retrain my brain to do all the stuff necessary to drive safely and the rest of the rigamarole necessary to prove that I can and regain my driver license.

I wanted to collect together information that I've recently found on these forums and elsewhere on the net. Some of this may be of use to others, so I thought that posting it as a thread would be a good idea.

 

I'm wishing you the best in future Mini ownership. I'm lucky enough to have got my Mini and enjoy caring for it, including careful washing. I use the spray wash that is near my home and comes to less than $4 each time, unless I'm cleaning matts and wheel wells and extra under-carriage spraying as happens each winter. Then I can spend up to $7, but water is cheap here next to Lake Michigan.Keep the spray light on the paint rather than blasting it, as if your hand were between the water and the car.
I'm just now learning to use a clay bar to detail the paint a few times a year. Dark colors look great when kept clean, so with my Hot Chocolate paint I must stay on top of the cleaning.
I'll look forward to seeing your Mini here someday :-)

 

Also wishing you a quick recovery. Also, like TorchMini, posting from Michigan where I also use nice fresh Lake Michigan water to wash my Mini. I wash mine in the driveway with a couple of buckets and a hose during the few months where the temperature isn't below freezing. I managed to get a wash in this weekend...but it could be my last driveway wash until April. During the winter I go to a self washes to blast the salt and gunk off. Lots of posts on here about the many methods of keeping your Mini clean.

 

I've been surfing the net researching for this thread and I've got a few questions as a result.

But before diving in, I want to comment on how much information and instruction is available on the net, especially the huge number of videos on utube as well as on various vendor sites. It's really amazing how much someone can learn by just sifting thru the videos on utube.

Junkman swears by using a foam gun. The brand he uses is Foamaster which is $80. I found several house brand foam guns for $60-$70 at The Chemical Guys so there are at least 2 sources with prices in roughly the same price range.

So my first question is how to get foam at the self-serve car washes... Does anyone know if there's a regular hose available there? If they provide a soap foam dispenser, should I use their soap or use the soap brought from home even if I can't spray foam before using the wash mitt?

A video from autogeek.com refers to a Polishing Pro, which is a plastic handle which fits in the palm with foam pads attached using velcro. Is it a worthwhile product? Any other equivilent products from other vendors?

Junkman says thjat all claybar in the US comes from the same source so you should only shop for price by quantity. Is there any difference between brands? I remember reading a post here by someone who prefers one brand over the other but is that just personal superstition?

I need to go see if the nearby car wash provides compressed air or if I need to go get an electric leaf blower...

 

From my experiences int he UK then to get decent. clinging snow foam you need pressure washer feed. Garden/garage hoses with normal pressure can go through low pressure snowfoam guns but they don;t generate a very good foam. Yuo want the foam to be reasonably thick so it clinges to the paintwork for 5 minutes or so.

Snowfoam chemicals also generally aren't kind to any waxes applied to the paintwork (especially carnauba waxes), but sealant type paint seal products have more resistance.

Foam helps to remove some dirt when the vehicle is very dirty in winter months, but it isn't some miracle product - hosing off with a pressure washer and plain water will remove a large portion of the dirt, the foam will just help to soften bugs and clingy dirt. You'll still need the physical act of washing the paintwork with a good shamppo using the two bucket method (one clean water to rinse your wash mitt, one with shampoo solution and preferably both with grit guards in the bottom to save dragging dirt back onto the car).

As you have probably observed from your google searches you can get quite paranoid about car washing / polishing / waxing. There are plenty of supposed 'wonder products' so my advice is to talk to a reputable company about their products, your requirements for vehicle looks and upkeep and more importantly your ability to apply and remove the products.

Best of luck in your recovery - the Mini is a great goal, and a very enjoyable one once you get there

 

@ coldrolledsteel - I totally do the same exact thing. love youtube