[bebop]

to clean your car, is it necessary to buy those expensive products online? there are plenty of brands at the stores but they seem to carry different stuff from websites. one brand that comes to mind that can be easily found in stores is armor all. in your opinion, is this brand (and other store brands) any good? thanks.

[Electric Sheep]

I cleaned my Mini for the first time ever this weekend:

1. Put some car shampoo (fairly cheap) into a bucket and fill it with hot water.
2. Using a big car brush, apply soapy water to Mini.
3. Spend twenty minutes cleaning alloys which had turned black.
4. Hose down Mini.
5. Dry Mini off.
6. Stand back and admire the beautiful clean car.

So, no, you don't need to spend $$$ on fancy car cleaning products. Well, I didn't, anyway. Stick to the normal stuff - works fine.

[Humourl3ss]

No, you don't need exotic stuff.

My setup consists of a Simoniz wash mitt, a bottle of Mother's Trigger Wash soap (NEVER use dishwashing liquid!) and an aritficial chamois.

Total cost is about $30 for all those items. The Trigger Wash lasts for about 6 months of cleaning when used sparingly, and the mitt is replaced ever year.

For waxing, I've had good results with both Zymöl and Turtle Wax (it's called either "Turtle Wax Extreme" or "Turtle Wax Ultra", I can't recall). Both can be purchased for less than $15 a bottle. Use only 100% cotton material to apply and remove excess wax.

Voila!

-CW

[Jimbo_Mini]

http://www.zainobros.com

Truly wonderful car care products.

-Jim