Cleaned up cooper

[james 3200]

Had this car from new, its on a 52 plate, and has always been looked after fairly well

Car was pretty much standard until about 2 months ago when i added an aero kit, new wheels, playmini catback, ecu remap & performance air filter. I also had it machined polished and now it is treated to a proper clean and wax every week, so the paint is like new

Just have to change the rear stickers on aero bumper to the black ones and change the side grills to some metal ones and possible some black bonnet stripes, then it will be done...for now

Here are some before pics, unfortunately i did not have one to hand with the original wheels.





After













James

[I love MINI, Laura]

Very nice James! Love the BRG and Black! I say bonnet stripes will finish it off nicely! Love the reflectors in the wheel arches always wanted to do this too. Have to say that R90s are the best wheels too!

Only thing for me is not sure about the white lights though. Shouldn't you put the red reflectors on to be street legal?

[james 3200]

Thanks Laura

Those were standard when i got the car as i ordered the mini with the clear lights at the back and they came with those.. No probs with Mot so far.. I agree too about the stripes

James

[*Vikki*]

i like it without stripes, lovely MINI what products and methods do you use to get that lovely shine!

[james 3200]

Cheers

The first pictures were taken just before i had the car detailed, which basically was a go over with a rotary polisher to take out the swirls, then it was, clayed, glazed, waxed etc....

After that i have had the easy task of keeping it swirl free.

Im all new to this, but on cleanmycar.co.uk, & detailingworld.com there is all the info you would need to know, but this is what i do;

Firstly i would foam the car twice, first time rinsing it off, then on the second i would use a sheepskin mit to give it a rub, the foam should in theory lift up the particles from the paintwork so you minimise swirling. I have to say that just after the first rinse it is noticeably smoother. For the foaming i use an autobrite foam lance & pressure washer, super snow foam & a cap of maxi suds II.

Car looks like this



Best bit of the day that

Then i would dry the car by dabbing the paint work with a sonus drying towl.

Next step is to apply a glaze, i use ' Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze' applied with a micro fibre towl, this stuff makes the paint look wet, briallant stuff.

After that i apply Victoria Concours Wax (which protects the galze) by hand, by just rubbing it into my hands and rubbing over the paintwork, wait for it to cure and then buff it off with a sonus buffing towel. Whole car gets that then to finish it off i use Victoria Wax - Quick Detail spray, which is a spray wax and basically makes the paint really smooth, works fantastic ontop of the wax, smells good too

Then obviously i do the wheels, trim etc.

I would do that routine with the glaze once per month, in between i would wax once too, and give it a good clean at the weekend.

The paintwork prior to the detail was pretty poor (compared to now) and they guys who did my car made the paint look new, worth every penny on that and the products.

James

[Adam101]

Looks cracking mate! Was just wondering how you went about getting the car machine polished. I have an 02 in cosmos black and theres a fair few swirls etc on it. Tried taking them out by hand using megs scratch x but the result has been far from ideal.

[james 3200]

Cheers mate,

Register at A world for detailers... and you will be able to find someone in your area who can give your car a full detail. It is about £30 per hour for polishing and will last about 6 - 7 hours

Clean Your Car - car care products UK is also another good site for buying products and their forum has some detailing companies on there. Well worth doing it

James