[mark.mini.one]

Hi all, I'm a bit worried about the quality of the paint on my One. It's Indi blue metallic and when it's clean it looks as thought the laquer is covered in fine scratches. My car has NEVER been through a car wash and I always have it hand cleaned. The scrtches are only obvious when the car is shiny but I'm worried that the paint (or top lacquer) isn't as good as it should be. Anyone had any similar problems??

[cooper4us]

I don't think your MINI's paint is at fault, rather the "tools" and car cleaning methods you might be using. You could be using rags that are abrassive and leaving fine scratches in the clearcoat when washing/waxing the vehicle. Also check the carwash detergent and wax products that you are currently using. Dirty rags or rags/towels that are not 100% Cotton (microfiber) will still have Polyster fibers in them that can cause clearcoat swirls and fine scratches when cleaning the car.

Try to check on that first and make changes to your car washing tools and habits where needed. If this does not improve the appearance of your paintwork, then take your car back to the nearest MINI centre to have it inspected by the factory representative.

I am sure once you change your towels, some of these problems will go away.

[MiniCooperS]

I think the paint on this car is the worst of any car I have owned. In sunlight there are scratches everywhere. Both of my real Minis are six years old and have less swirls!

[mr.bill]

Paint is soft these days, and it's primarily due to the antipollution laws. Paint had to be reformulated when certain propellants and solvents were banned so it is not as durable anymore. It seems like they ban everything that works. You can't find colloidal graphite spray paint anymore (used for lubricating engine parts duing reassembly and for antistatic shielding for electronics) because it contained 1,1,1,TCE which was banned. You can't buy trisodium phosphate (a really good cleaner) anymore either.

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by mr.bill
Paint is soft these days, and it's primarily due to the antipollution laws. Paint had to be reformulated when certain propellants and solvents were banned so it is not as durable anymore. It seems like they ban everything that works. You can't find colloidal graphite spray paint anymore (used for lubricating engine parts duing reassembly and for antistatic shielding for electronics) because it contained 1,1,1,TCE which was banned. You can't buy trisodium phosphate (a really good cleaner) anymore either.

Hey man, I afraid I think that the environment is more important than your car.

[Tom F.]

I note you say that you always "have it hand cleaned". Like cooper4us says, if you really want to keep the original finish, you have to have the absolutely right products and tools.

The new types of paint are soft. 100% cotton (that means even the stitching is cotton) is what I use, and I do it all myself. No old t-shirts. No old towels from the house, and no new cheap terrycloth towels sold in bulk at the local car parts store.

f I was having someone wash my car and was having this problem, I'd go back and talk to them about exactly what products and methods they are using. It could easily be that they are responsible for the damage.

If it is established that they are the culprits, don't let them fix it! They wuold have already proven that they don't know what they are doing!

Good luck