Hey Hey~
I'm still quite new to this baord so if you missed my intro thread, here's my situation. ~ I've never owned a car that I will care for as much as my Mini. My current car only ever got washed when I went for oil changes and I think I've waxes all of once in my lifetime.

All this will change in about three weeks when my Mini arrives, so I really need to learn high maintinance. I skimmed some threads and keep seeing Meguiars and Zaino popping up. I've heard of Meguiars, but never heard of Zaino. So here's basicly what I need to know.

1. What is best to use to keep my Mini in peak look, inside and out.
2. How to use it.
~ Does all the chrome need anything special compared to the rest of the body?
~ Any special rules apply to the clearbra areas upfront?
3. SALT.
~New Hampshire in winter is hell on a car from all the salt poured out to keep roads from icing. Cars and just about anything on the road turn dull white from salt deposits. What's the best way to deal with it?


I know this is asking quite a bit, but I really am quite clueless when it comes to cars and thier upkeep. I have a new love in Mini, but I have no knowledge to go with it. You guys here really know your stuff and I'd apreciate any and all advise/tips/guidance.

 

I have questions too, I hope you don't mind if I add on to your thread...I also live in a heavy winter/salt area. The back end of the MINI is hard to keep clean in GOOD weather. In winter, I don't have running water outdoors (i.e. a hose) hooked up here at home. How do people deal with that? I can see going to a do-it-yourself car wash (not the drive throughs - horrors ), but do you use the scummy brushes provided, or defy the "no bucket washing" signs and do it with your own gear? I know I will probably need to lower my clean MINI standards this winter, as it will be my daily driver.

 

Start with this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ead.php?t=7933

Then start reading other threads in this detailing 101 forum. Tons and tons of great info. Happy reading!

 

I live in the great white north. Wash my MINI all winter at the local coin-op.
I don't use their brushes, yuck. I use my own sheepskin washing mitt as I run the wand wash over the car.The place has hot air blowers to dry out locks, latches, outside mirrors. I dry my car with my drying towel, taking care to make sure door and hatch openings are dry.
I use Meguiars products, and put a fresh coat of wax on just before freeze up.
There are some wand washes that charge by time, does not matter what your doing, so I go to one to apply another coat of wax 1/2 way through winter.

Then as soon as it's warm enough out I do a major detail. As you will find by reading the threads in this forum are full of great tipsand opinions

Have fun, your MINI will get dirty, but if you do some of the things discussed in this forum, cleaning will be a snap

After the first detailing this spring

 

I used to use a touchless (a true touchless where no brushes or dangly things hit the car) when I lived up in Connecticut. The detergents are a bit harsh for anyone who uses a real wax, but you should probably be using something more durable up north anyway.

I did a big writeup a while back and I just bumped it to the top of the list, but you can see it here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=37303

This will walk you through detailing... inside, outside, engine, sealing, polishing... everything! (well, almost everything... but it's a good start)

Good luck!

 

Got my Zaino kit a few weeks ago on the advice of a coworker-totally great! I tried it out on the family mini (van) first and then on the mistress.... Well worth the time and effort, tons of good posts here on how to go about it.

 

The beauty of Meguiar's products is they are available at places like Target, as well as at Auto Zone, Pep Boys, and Kragen, etc. Their products are very reasonably priced! But best of all, they take very little time to use and really make your MINI look great!


Clover

 

Holy Moses that is alot. I'm gonna go for it though! It might help to find a local who's experienced to come over one day and help through the first time, show me the ropes. Thank agranger and everyone else.

 

Dr. Doogie,

See if you can find a local MINI club. They often sponsor 'detail days' where everyone winds up in someone's driveway and gets instruction from someone who has been at it for a while.

If you want to road-trip to Dallas, I'll help you out! Something tells me that you won't like our 100 degree temp right now, though...

 

Yeah I'm going to be hooking up with MAMA out here the first week I get her, and I'll be loaded with questions heh.

And 100 degrees doesn't bother me, used to live in Pheonix, and hell, it's was damn near that hot here this past week!