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Anybody else with a severe case of dirty butt syndrome?
My R53's hatch gets absolutely caked in dirt in a matter of days, while the rest of the car remains comparatively clean for weeks. For example, I washed my car last weekend so when it snowed Thursday night, it was pretty clean. Went out on Friday and drove it for a bit. Drove it some more over the weekend and now, Monday, the hatch is absolutely filthy while everywhere else is practically untouched, except for some road salt on the sides.
What gives? Does anyone else have this kind of experience with their Mini? For what it's worth, my dad's R50 doesn't get dirty near as quick as mine and we both have light colors.
Yes, it's a common complaint. Good threads on it HERE, HERE, and HERE. Not just a MINI complaint too. Happens with many different hatch/wagon brands out there. Had this a lot with an '08 hatch STi.
My R53's hatch gets absolutely caked in dirt in a matter of days, while the rest of the car remains comparatively clean for weeks. For example, I washed my car last weekend so when it snowed Thursday night, it was pretty clean. Went out on Friday and drove it for a bit. Drove it some more over the weekend and now, Monday, the hatch is absolutely filthy while everywhere else is practically untouched, except for some road salt on the sides.
What gives? Does anyone else have this kind of experience with their Mini? For what it's worth, my dad's R50 doesn't get dirty near as quick as mine and we both have light colors.
I've notice that too. Clean all over only hatch is dirty, my GTI was also like that.
Yes, it's a common complaint. Good threads on it HERE, HERE, and HERE. Not just a MINI complaint too. Happens with many different hatch/wagon brands out there. Had this a lot with an '08 hatch STi.
So it's just the fact that hatchbacks cause a lot of turbulence in the back and pull the air up to it? That's unfortunate.
It's the nature of the brute. Kinda like having to take a bath once a year whether you need one or not.
Here's what I use for spot cleaning between baths. Give it a try. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...Picks&refType=
It's the nature of the brute. Kinda like having to take a bath once a year whether you need one or not.
Here's what I use for spot cleaning between baths. Give it a try. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...Picks&refType=
I would never use a waterless solution on a dirty car. You'll scratch the hell out of your paint. I'd rather just spray it down in degreaser and rinse that off every few days
Did you ever see a bicyclist attempting to set a speed record? If you did he was probably riding behind a car that had a large perpendicular wall attached to its rear. That was there to form a vacuum which enabled the bicycle to go faster. The same thing is happening with our Minis. The flat rear end forms a vacuum and everything is sucked up by the rear face. It's a common problem with most SUVs and any vehicle with a perpendicular, flat rear face.
So it's just the fact that hatchbacks cause a lot of turbulence in the back and pull the air up to it? That's unfortunate.
It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. If you look at post #16 at the second link I listed, there is some information about a product called Rejex.
I would never use a waterless solution on a dirty car. You'll scratch the hell out of your paint. I'd rather just spray it down in degreaser and rinse that off every few days
Do a little more research on the product. It will NOT scratch if used properly. I've used their products for several years and 80K miles. Except for one ******** door ding and a bit of well earned road rash, there are no scratches or swirls.
if you get a decent wing, mud flaps, and a rear diffusor a lot of it will go away. but its just aero dynamics, low pressure zone created behind the car
if you get a decent wing, mud flaps, and a rear diffusor a lot of it will go away. but its just aero dynamics, low pressure zone created behind the car
I thought they didn't make mudflaps for the R53. I'll have to see about a diffuser, that would probably help greatly.
So it's just the fact that hatchbacks cause a lot of turbulence in the back and pull the air up to it? That's unfortunate.
I have it on my R52 convertible ( top up and down ) and had it on my hardtop. Factory Mudflaps help a bit , as well a going to a rear wing , but it still happens.
Factory mudflaps 82160136806 w/ PDF install. But the rears are nla now.
Chalk it up to aerodynamics and spirited driving... Only aspect I really dislike is the grinding sound on the glass when I first switch on the rear wiper. Loads O' Grime collects atop the wiper blade.
I use Griot's Spray On Car Wash all the time, no scratches or swirls. I won a Griot's car care kit at a MINI club event, it included their Spray On Car Wash, the stuff really impressed me. I buy it by the gallon now.
I use Griot's Spray On Car Wash all the time, no scratches or swirls. I won a Griot's car care kit at a MINI club event, it included their Spray On Car Wash, the stuff really impressed me. I buy it by the gallon now.
+1 Griots is great. We actually just gave away a Griots car wash kit to one of our sweepstakes winners.
I use Griot's Spray On Car Wash all the time, no scratches or swirls. I won a Griot's car care kit at a MINI club event, it included their Spray On Car Wash, the stuff really impressed me. I buy it by the gallon now.
I'd have to see it to believe it. I feel like you guys are talking about weekly washes when the car really isn't that dirty because waterless washes are not meant for dirty cars. You will scratch stuff, there just isn't a way around it unless you use water.
You will scratch stuff, there just isn't a way around it unless you use water.
Undoubtedly.
If your car looks like the ones attached to this thread, I don't believe "Spray On Car Wash" is the proper product or method.
Griot's even says so themselves.
This, from Griot's YouTube Channel...
Skip to 1:25 in...
