Wash (car wash soap, not dawn). I use ONR ( optimum No Rinse). Great stuff right there, low water usage. Really cleans the car well.

Clay.

Wipe down with isopropyl alcohol.

Apply Sonax Polymer Net Shield.

Look it up, the stuff is amazing, lasts long time and is safe for all exterior surfaces on the Mini.

I did it last weekend, really hassle free - lasts far longer than silly waxes and polishes.

 

Thanks!

 

I love ONR! I bought the 8oz to test. 1oz has lasted me 2 washes so far, still have more left in the bucket for another 2.

 

I highly recommend Adam's Polishes. We have them on our website, but all their products, especially their sealant, are top notch!

-Luccia

 

I have used Zaino products from new and have no complaints. Their polishes are all polymer based. I bought my MINI in August of 2009 and since then it has has 4-5 coats of their polish and maybe 15 coats of quick detailer. My procedure is:

1. Hand wash (Zaino Show Cae Wash) or no-touch car wash
2. Hand dry
3. Zaino ClayBar (with Zaino Show Car Wash & water mix as lubricant)
4. Hand wash (Zaino Show Car Wash) or no-touch wash
5. Hand dry
6. Polish (Show Car Polish for Clear Coat) or quick detailer (Gloss Enhancer Spray)

Interior Plastic: 303 Protectant
Exterior Plastic: PreWOW Cleaner & Black WOW
Tire black: no real preference
Wheels: RejeX
Windows: any Windex-like product as lubricant for used ClayBar pieces

 

 

According to the description on the Zaino page:

Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray

Z-6™ Ultra Clean is the first detailing spray designed to be a quick detailer and a polish enhancement in one. Z-6™ Ultra Clean detailing spray is a very important component of the Zaino Show Car Polish system. Formulated with the same polymer-based gloss enhancers, Z-6™ Ultra Clean dramatically boosts and intensifies all Zaino Show Car Polish finishes.

In concept, I think it would be the same for any brand of wax/polish and their companion quick detailer. Zaino uses the term "gloss enhancer", which seems appropriate to me. The way Zaino works, the Z-6 can go over their Z-2 Polish or the Z-2 can be applied over the Z-6. But, the first coat would always be the Z-2 Polish (or one of their other polishes). Also, the Z-6 can be applied as it is. The Z-2 uses the ZFX Accelerator, otherwise it takes a while to harden up (polymerize?). It also takes somewhat more effort to use the Z-2 Polish compared to the Z-6. As this is what I've done since new, the car has no swirl marks.

The first washing takes care of all the dirt that will wash off. The clay bar picks up the dirt that is imbedded into the paint surface. However, you have to use it with something soapy to lubricate the surface when you're doing the clay bar. Otherwise, that dirt that is picked out of the surface and sticks to the clay bar will act like sandpaper on the paint.

All of the brands of polishes have descriptive information on their web sites about what their products do and how to use them.