MINI2

Shamster · Feb 11th, 2003, 03:43 PM

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy washing MINI as much as the next person but this is the first car I've owned that has required so much washing - if only for that blasted tailgate/rear window!

I end up having to wash it at least once a week - today I did it in the rain yet again!

One thing though - at least the wheels are fairly easy to wash

Is it just me or is anyone else finding this baby likes to be bathed a helluva lot?!

Kinster · Feb 11th, 2003, 03:45 PM

I like it dirty.

HarryHBMCC · Feb 11th, 2003, 04:05 PM

It sure gets dirty fast so I only wash it occasionally during winter to get the salt off. There was a meet this past weekend on Sunday so I washed it Saturday and then had to wash it again Sunday right before arriving at the meet as it gets dirty so fast.

I can't resist driving down iced up, sand covered roads, gravel, etc. so I must say I actually like the dirty look. It is the in-between look that is bad -- when completely clean it looks good (show good clean) and when rally-dirty it looks good (rally good dirty) but when just commuting-dirty it looks bad (lazy bad dirty).

Harry

Martin L · Feb 11th, 2003, 04:16 PM

Sham if you used your rear wiper you could leave it dirty for longer like me

I would've kept the dirt on mine from the Chiltern Run if it weren't for my "hiccup" where I needed to wash my car to see the full exent of the damage

I got far more attention after the Chiltern Run with the mud on then I do without it as the car looks like it did a few stages of teh RAC rally

As Harry said above, rally dirty looks cool

Only problem though is dirty trousers from rubbing on the sill

zzz · Feb 11th, 2003, 04:32 PM

Quote:

at least the wheels are fairly easy to wash

i'm guessing that you don't have white X-lites - they are a nightmare to clean and take as long as the rest of the car.

Shamster · Feb 11th, 2003, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin L
Sham if you used your rear wiper you could leave it dirty for longer like me

LOL!!! My dirty behind is beginning to get a bit of a reputation like your umbrella Martin

Valid point though! Maybe I should start using that rear wiper!! Now how does it work?

Quote:

I got far more attention after the Chiltern Run with the mud on then I do without it as the car looks like it did a few stages of teh RAC rally

actually the normal dirt isn't an issue for me - the stuff which causes the problems for me is what looks like dark drops of tree sap that get picked up during the wet runs driving through leaves and the like. They are a nightmare to try and take off - plus the wet leaves that get caught up in the plastic bits of the wheelarches under the bonnet and in the rear bumper by the wheelarches.

MICKEY · Feb 11th, 2003, 04:41 PM

shamster
[quote]I enjoy washing MINI as much as the next person

Do you want to come around and wash mine for me ?

I'll make you a cup of tea if you do.

Ar go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on

SoggyCornFlakes · Feb 11th, 2003, 05:50 PM

The pain of beauty eh Sham

Finally washed mine after Chilterns, like Martin said it was a shame really as it looked pretty cool plastered in mud

>--- goes looking for a recently ploughed field

mrhollio · Feb 11th, 2003, 06:27 PM

My wife was annoyed at first that I spent so much time washing it...

now she loves it because she guilted me into washing her car....

only I think I should get her a MINI... too much surface area on the mini van...

sugster · Feb 11th, 2003, 07:16 PM

I washed mine twice on sunday!
This was not intentional though. It was the first time since the Chilterns run that I'd had chance to give her a clean. Went to the jet wash, paid £5 for the 'Gold' option. I did such a poor job cleaning it that after it had dried on the way home I noticed that I had missed half of the mud so had to get the sponge and bucket out.

MiniMan7 · Feb 11th, 2003, 08:29 PM

I love washing my Mini!!

I actually look forward to it... it has become more of a hobby to me. I like to try and wash it once a week. Unless its too cold outside. I even wash it when it's clean!

But it does get dirty rather fast... but it's also winter, and the roads are full of so much grit and salt that its hard to stay clean for more than a day after washing!

About the part that the wheels are easy to clean? I find that they do take a long time, I have 17" alloy S-spoke rims and they take quite a bit of time to clean!

Shamster · Feb 12th, 2003, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMan7
I love washing my Mini!!

About the part that the wheels are easy to clean? I find that they do take a long time, I have 17" alloy S-spoke rims and they take quite a bit of time to clean!

I have the S spokes as well - but I'm comparing them to the wheels on my beemer - I can get them done in about 1/2 the time! I have the multispokes on the beemer - and there are a lot of them!

MiniMan7 · Feb 12th, 2003, 03:26 PM

Guessing that they're the spokes on the bimmer in your sig... I can relate, my dad had those spokes on his old 7-series, and yes, they're a ***** to clean!

Shamster · Feb 12th, 2003, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMan7
Guessing that they're the spokes on the bimmer in your sig... I can relate, my dad had those spokes on his old 7-series, and yes, they're a ***** to clean!

well the problem will be resolved soon I hope. Ever since the MINI arrived the beemer has hardly been used (less than 100 miles in the last month) so I'm putting her up for sale - and then I can kiss those multispokes goodbye!!

Then finally - less washing!!

IgorTheHunchback · Feb 12th, 2003, 04:21 PM

Igor wonders what washing is

ste_uk · Feb 12th, 2003, 05:22 PM

My wheels get dirty far too quickly for my liking! I opted for the white wheels. They look amazing when they're clean but after a few days of normal (ok, maybe not quite normal) driving they are covered in brake dust/general crud etc and don't look anywhere near as good. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here - stop braking!

Martin L · Feb 16th, 2003, 04:55 PM

Sham,

Have you washed your car this week yet????
I washed mine yesterday and again there are black spots all over the rear and side.
I'm begining to think it's brake dust rather then tar spots. They are easyish to remove but it is a pain to remove so many

Is anybody else consistently getting these "spots" on their bodywork?????

Martin

Shamster · Feb 16th, 2003, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin L
Sham,

Have you washed your car this week yet????
I washed mine yesterday and again there are black spots all over the rear and side.
I'm begining to think it's brake dust rather then tar spots. They are easyish to remove but it is a pain to remove so many

Is anybody else consistently getting these "spots" on their bodywork?????

Martin

No - I washed it almost a week ago and haven't driven it since - but those black spots are proving to be pretty difficult to shift - I bought some road grime remover that's supposed to get rid of bird lime, tar spots etc and its about as useful as a glass hammer.

If you manage to get them off I'd be interested to know how you did it - I think that they're being caused by some kind of tree sap - I don't think its brake dust.

AidenL · Feb 16th, 2003, 05:12 PM

I can't see black spots on the black car !!

Still had to wash the little bugger twice yesterday though , and my sills still weren't clean !!

Martin L · Feb 16th, 2003, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shamster
If you manage to get them off I'd be interested to know how you did it - I think that they're being caused by some kind of tree sap - I don't think its brake dust.

I've removed all of the spots apart from the ones between the letters of the "Cooper S" badge, they're impossible to get to

I've got a brush attachement to my hose which I use for intially removing all the grime before I soap my car up and I find the bristles, although hard, but not abrassive are very good at removing these spots. It does take elbow grease and each spot requires attention to remove it. You can use your fingernails to remove them, but I'm sure my peticurist would not recommend it

Feb 11th, 2003, 03:43 PM	#1
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 10,745 Offline	So much washing!! Don't get me wrong - I enjoy washing MINI as much as the next person but this is the first car I've owned that has required so much washing - if only for that blasted tailgate/rear window! I end up having to wash it at least once a week - today I did it in the rain yet again! One thing though - at least the wheels are fairly easy to wash Is it just me or is anyone else finding this baby likes to be bathed a helluva lot?! 260909

Feb 11th, 2003, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kinster BarWeetGarNarWeetNinnyBon Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Location: Location Local Time: 02:49 AM Posts: 2,633 Offline	I like it dirty. Hyper Blue/Blue MCSC with Chilli 'No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself' A. Carnegie

Feb 11th, 2003, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 08:49 PM Posts: 2,655 Offline	It sure gets dirty fast so I only wash it occasionally during winter to get the salt off. There was a meet this past weekend on Sunday so I washed it Saturday and then had to wash it again Sunday right before arriving at the meet as it gets dirty so fast. I can't resist driving down iced up, sand covered roads, gravel, etc. so I must say I actually like the dirty look. It is the in-between look that is bad -- when completely clean it looks good (show good clean) and when rally-dirty it looks good (rally good dirty) but when just commuting-dirty it looks bad (lazy bad dirty). Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Feb 11th, 2003, 04:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Sham if you used your rear wiper you could leave it dirty for longer like me I would've kept the dirt on mine from the Chiltern Run if it weren't for my "hiccup" where I needed to wash my car to see the full exent of the damage I got far more attention after the Chiltern Run with the mud on then I do without it as the car looks like it did a few stages of teh RAC rally As Harry said above, rally dirty looks cool Only problem though is dirty trousers from rubbing on the sill MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Feb 11th, 2003, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
zzz MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Local Time: 02:49 AM Posts: 83 Offline	Quote: at least the wheels are fairly easy to wash i'm guessing that you don't have white X-lites - they are a nightmare to clean and take as long as the rest of the car. MCS EB/W + manAC + visibility pk

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Use this forum to discuss MINI topics which are not related to other forums. Posts may be moved from here to alternative forums by the moderators without notice

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Feb 11th, 2003, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Martin L Sham if you used your rear wiper you could leave it dirty for longer like me LOL!!! My dirty behind is beginning to get a bit of a reputation like your umbrella Martin Valid point though! Maybe I should start using that rear wiper!! Now how does it work? Quote: I got far more attention after the Chiltern Run with the mud on then I do without it as the car looks like it did a few stages of teh RAC rally actually the normal dirt isn't an issue for me - the stuff which causes the problems for me is what looks like dark drops of tree sap that get picked up during the wet runs driving through leaves and the like. They are a nightmare to try and take off - plus the wet leaves that get caught up in the plastic bits of the wheelarches under the bonnet and in the rear bumper by the wheelarches. 260909

Feb 11th, 2003, 04:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
MICKEY MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hillingdon Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 283 Offline	shamster [quote]I enjoy washing MINI as much as the next person Do you want to come around and wash mine for me ? I'll make you a cup of tea if you do. Ar go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on

Feb 11th, 2003, 05:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
SoggyCornFlakes Awwww %%%% it! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northampton Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 33,225 Offline	The pain of beauty eh Sham Finally washed mine after Chilterns, like Martin said it was a shame really as it looked pretty cool plastered in mud >--- goes looking for a recently ploughed field Click here to Welease Woss and Bwand MINI2 Charity Ball 2009 ....... Global Moderator

Feb 11th, 2003, 06:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
mrhollio road trip time Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: PV - SoCal Local Time: 06:49 PM Posts: 429 Offline	My wife was annoyed at first that I spent so much time washing it... now she loves it because she guilted me into washing her car.... only I think I should get her a MINI... too much surface area on the mini van... Trust not the heart of a man for whom old clothes, and the Mini, are not venerable!

Feb 11th, 2003, 07:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
sugster Blindin' Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town Which Fun F Local Time: 02:49 AM Posts: 196 Offline	I washed mine twice on sunday! This was not intentional though. It was the first time since the Chilterns run that I'd had chance to give her a clean. Went to the jet wash, paid £5 for the 'Gold' option. I did such a poor job cleaning it that after it had dried on the way home I noticed that I had missed half of the mud so had to get the sponge and bucket out. IB ONE, Seven Hole Alloys, Air Con, CD, Chrome bits - Now with Chrome mirrors and chrome side vents + Custom engraved Whalen Shift Knob and four, yes four driving lights!

Feb 11th, 2003, 08:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
MiniMan7 Let's Motor. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 2,891 Offline	I love washing my Mini!! I actually look forward to it... it has become more of a hobby to me. I like to try and wash it once a week. Unless its too cold outside. I even wash it when it's clean! But it does get dirty rather fast... but it's also winter, and the roads are full of so much grit and salt that its hard to stay clean for more than a day after washing! About the part that the wheels are easy to clean? I find that they do take a long time, I have 17" alloy S-spoke rims and they take quite a bit of time to clean! http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/16791/32165.jpg

Feb 12th, 2003, 03:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by MiniMan7 I love washing my Mini!! About the part that the wheels are easy to clean? I find that they do take a long time, I have 17" alloy S-spoke rims and they take quite a bit of time to clean! I have the S spokes as well - but I'm comparing them to the wheels on my beemer - I can get them done in about 1/2 the time! I have the multispokes on the beemer - and there are a lot of them! 260909

Feb 12th, 2003, 03:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
MiniMan7 Let's Motor. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 2,891 Offline	Guessing that they're the spokes on the bimmer in your sig... I can relate, my dad had those spokes on his old 7-series, and yes, they're a ***** to clean! http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/16791/32165.jpg

Feb 12th, 2003, 03:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by MiniMan7 Guessing that they're the spokes on the bimmer in your sig... I can relate, my dad had those spokes on his old 7-series, and yes, they're a * to clean! well the problem will be resolved soon I hope. Ever since the MINI arrived the beemer has hardly been used (less than 100 miles in the last month) so I'm putting her up for sale - and then I can kiss those multispokes goodbye!! Then finally - less washing!! 260909

Feb 12th, 2003, 04:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
IgorTheHunchback MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hertfordshire Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 280 Offline	Igor wonders what washing is The Bells The Bells

Feb 12th, 2003, 05:22 PM	#16 (permalink)
ste_uk MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: manchester Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 15 Offline	My wheels get dirty far too quickly for my liking! I opted for the white wheels. They look amazing when they're clean but after a few days of normal (ok, maybe not quite normal) driving they are covered in brake dust/general crud etc and don't look anywhere near as good. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here - stop braking!

Feb 16th, 2003, 04:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Sham, Have you washed your car this week yet???? I washed mine yesterday and again there are black spots all over the rear and side. I'm begining to think it's brake dust rather then tar spots. They are easyish to remove but it is a pain to remove so many Is anybody else consistently getting these "spots" on their bodywork????? Martin MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Feb 16th, 2003, 05:06 PM	#18 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Martin L Sham, Have you washed your car this week yet???? I washed mine yesterday and again there are black spots all over the rear and side. I'm begining to think it's brake dust rather then tar spots. They are easyish to remove but it is a pain to remove so many Is anybody else consistently getting these "spots" on their bodywork????? Martin No - I washed it almost a week ago and haven't driven it since - but those black spots are proving to be pretty difficult to shift - I bought some road grime remover that's supposed to get rid of bird lime, tar spots etc and its about as useful as a glass hammer. If you manage to get them off I'd be interested to know how you did it - I think that they're being caused by some kind of tree sap - I don't think its brake dust. 260909

Feb 16th, 2003, 05:12 PM	#19 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 40,988 Offline	I can't see black spots on the black car !! Still had to wash the little bugger twice yesterday though , and my sills still weren't clean !! *Global Moderator*

Feb 16th, 2003, 05:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 01:49 AM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by shamster If you manage to get them off I'd be interested to know how you did it - I think that they're being caused by some kind of tree sap - I don't think its brake dust. I've removed all of the spots apart from the ones between the letters of the "Cooper S" badge, they're impossible to get to I've got a brush attachement to my hose which I use for intially removing all the grime before I soap my car up and I find the bristles, although hard, but not abrassive are very good at removing these spots. It does take elbow grease and each spot requires attention to remove it. You can use your fingernails to remove them, but I'm sure my peticurist would not recommend it MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Washing too much?	finalfan7asy	Maintenance & MINI Care	9	Jun 17th, 2007 12:11 AM
Pressure Washing washing after waxing	Fabio	Maintenance & MINI Care	11	May 7th, 2005 03:52 PM
Xenons not washing	euan	Faults & Fixes	9	Nov 23rd, 2004 03:52 PM