What Prima products do you use and where do you use them? I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas and bought a mix of things. They seem to have some overlap in where you use them, and I want to keep Clara looking her best. Thanks!

 

I don't use Prima stuff, rather products from another popular detailing outfit, but it is excellent product. Go to octane guy's, better known as Richard Lin, web site (the link follows) where he will have some instructional videos on how that stuff works. He is also very active in helping MINI people with their detailing questions so don't hesitate to use the contact feature of his website. He used to be pretty active on NAM but I haven't seen him post in quite a while. Also, visit the 'Detailing 101' section in the 'Forums' directory, he has answered many questions in there. Black Wow is a product you'll also want. He and his father developed it and it is WoW. I've got a fresh jug of it ordered somewhere between there and here right now.
http://www.showcardetailing.com/

 

We use mostly Prima product. Mystic for the wash is awesome! Hydro has kept our 2007 MCSc Supercharged MINI showcar ready and still winning. We use those on our 2004 MCS too, but the 2007 we bought brand new and have only used Prima on it. Most people do not think that it is a 2007 as the paint looks brand new. Nero for the synthetic interior, Nourish for the leather, Infinity for the exterior rubber (trim, tires etc.) and then Banana Gloss for extra paint detailing. There are other products that we have, but those are the most we use.

 

That sounds good. I purchased the Nero, Nourish, and Hyrdo wax. The other things I got were the Slick Quick detail spray, Clarity Glass & Plastic cleaner. I should've asked this question before buying... but it looks like I got the majority. I remember seeing your car at the Fiesta and I was so impressed, that was the reason I went with Prima.

 

You definitely made a good choice going with Prima and it looks like your order is pretty typical of a first time buyer.

I don't know if any of the products that you purchased overlap necessarily, but their system works wonderfully together.

Here's the rundown:
Nero: Use this on your trim, dash, tires or anything that's textured plastic or rubber. It will work as both a cleaner and protectant to all of those surfaces (much better than throwing Armor All on) I would also recommend diluting it 50/50 with water, the product is stronger than you'll need it to be out of the box.

Nourish: Use this on your leather, not sure if the Countryman has leather or pleather, but in my R56 I used it with good results on my seats and other leatherish interior bits. It's a good all-in-one leather cleaner/protectant.

Hydro: Is the most amazing product for the weekend warrior/"want to keep my car as nice looking as possible without turning it into a full time affair" person out there. 1 spray per panel while your car is still wet and you'll have it glossy and protected for a couple of weeks.

Slick: It's nice, but you can use Hydro or Mystique for most of the things that you would use a quick detailer for. Keep it in your car and use it for the quick cleanups of bird droppings and such.

Clarity: Use it on your glass and smooth plastics. Clarity used with a window cleaning microfiber will wow you, you'll get a streak free shine every time. On top of that, it doesn't have ammonia in it like Windex so it's safe for use on just about everything.


Hope that helps, let me know if you need anything else!

Joe

 

Give that stuff a wide berth unless you appreciate greasy feeling slick and have a fetish for dust. I even object to capitalizing those two words. That company has run an ad on TV around a 'left turn' race driver and his pit crew. After the armor all'd car drives away the pit crew has to run out and scrub from the pavement all the schmutz that flew off the car as it drove away.

 

Thanks so much for the input! I cleaned the inside on Tuesday and I think she looks better now than when I picked her up from the dealership I haven't tried the Hydro yet though. I will do that when it's a bit warmer.

 

Did the idea of posting before and after photos occur? As an old wag once posted: "Without pictures, it didn't happen."

 

I loved Hydro until I discovered Epic....It really is anti static . I have a black car and dust does stay off....love the stuff!

 

What's really unfortunate is that it's the only thing that auto parts stores sell. My dad has a shelf full of it and I cringe whenever I walk into his garage. I'm appalled at how that stuff is marketed considering all the damage it does to otherwise good intentioned car owners.

 

You're welcome!

One day I think I'll make a post explaining why you shouldn't let the dealership touch your car. It's really not too difficult to get a car into better condition than it was when it was picked up at the dealership; they might know how to maintain it mechanically, but the paint is usually trashed.

 

Our local O'Reily's does carry some Mothers, Meguiar's, Turtle and a few others I'm not familiar with including (schmutz) so there are alternatives to be had without having to order. Personally it's Griot's.