**sticky please**
Detailing for DUmbies

At the group clean the other day, i was shown just what I don't know about cleaning my new baby. SO in an effort to collectivize all that wonderful information out there I'm calling on everyone to post what they use to clean all those little pieces of your mini, please be brief, post a tidbit about the product, and a link to the product as if someone was going to purchase it. I will keep editing this first post to show the top 2-3 suggestions for each catergory. Off the top of my head I can think of:

soap-exterior
clay
wax

for weekly touch-ups, try Prima Hydro ,for that every once in awhile application that does more than just shine, try Banana Gloss, and for that semi annual mega coat, try Prima Epic it's not just a clever name!

tires
rims
chrome/steel
dashboard
seats
carpets
leather
mats
mitts
towels/mf
etc..
thanks for your input, I'm sure there has to be at least 1 other person out there that is as clueless in the car care catergory as me, this should be a working encyclopedia of cleaning goodness for all!

 

Maybe a monthly newsletter article on a small part of the detailing process would be in order.
A vendor with excellent products, customer service and a MINI5280 supporter is www.detailersparadise.com
Check out the Prima line for paint, vinyl and glass care.

For purposes of your Library Jeremy let me contribute the following:
Wax - Hydro (Weekly)

Banana Gloss (Monthly)

Epic (Semi Annually)

 

Nice Jeremy and Chuck, but some of us only wash and hydro frequently.

I really need to clay and epic with some prep steps this summer.

 

how hard is it to apply and remove epic?

 

No wax should be hard to put on or hard to take off. If it is use something else. The key to Epic, and any good wax, is the preparation. Hours can be spent claying to remove surface contaminates and polishing to remove swirls. All this work is done to make the paint look as good as possible since that is not the job of the wax. Protection is the main purpose for applying wax. Now Epic will actually improve the gloss and depth of the paint but the last hour of detailing will not make or break the previous 12.
So how easy is Epic to put on - very. How tough is it to take off - even easier if you applied it very thin and evenly.

 

I read all the detailing info on Detailers World, it is amazing the products they use and money they spend.

I am into ease of use and saving a few $$

Wash, I've been using Murphy's Oil soap for a couple years and really like it, pretty sure I read about here on NAM

Wax - I've been using Buffalo MIlke for years http://www.buffalomilke.com/
spray on wipe off - no residue and great shine, it's good stuff.

 

About 10 yrs ago, we moved my wife's mother (my monster-in-law) up to CO to keep an eye on her. She is elderly, feeble and frail, and does not drive any more. Hasn't for years. But sitting in her ga-rage is a nice, silver with black leather, Jaguar X-Type 3.0. It has been there about 7 years, and it is now pushing - ouch - almost 10,000 miles. Yes, it only goes back and forth to the MD and Walgreens.

Well, it has never been detailed. For that matter, seldom washed either since it just sits there. But now it is time. I told Granny that for her 82 Birthday I would clean it up for her. So the day I picked is Saturday, July 25th and I need some help. And I have all the supplies we need.....

Anyone want to help detail granny's car? Drive an X-type? Let me squirt you with the hose?

Let me know. There are also cold beverages hanging in the balance.

Anyone wanna help???

Jonathan

 

Me

 

as the newsletters are posted on the MINI5280 website, the articles being written will be hotlinked under the topics above, until then, uhm, yea.