MINI2

gmb126 · Apr 15th, 2006, 11:57 PM

I've read in some of the exterior care threads here about some of you recommending specific polish for the plastics on the exterior (like the fender skirts/flares). So, I went looking for some yesterday, as today I put my first coat of Maguire's on the new MINI. Couldn't really find anything I was comfortable with, though:
- Mother's offered one, but only for smooth-surface plastics
- Maguire's and others offered some, but only for clear plastics and plexi (likely for plastic windows and light covers)

Is searching for more really worth it, or have some of you simply used regular wax or even tire-blacking chemicals to protect those skirts?

PS - I'm in the US, so suggestions for products that are available internationally would be superb!

obehave · Apr 16th, 2006, 03:41 AM

303 Aerosoace.
Works gfreat on all plastics and is the best thig on clear plastic I've ever found.
Works on tires as well.

retired00 · Apr 16th, 2006, 12:46 PM

A second vote for 303 Aerospace Protectant--just a sheen, not shine, can't hurt the alloys with overspray(even suggested as a protectant), long life.

gmb126 · Apr 16th, 2006, 03:08 PM

Where can I find this fine product?

dakini · Apr 16th, 2006, 06:27 PM

i've also been looking in the us for something like this ... my side skirts are looking kinda dull and scratched from road salt.

"Reedy" · Apr 16th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Best stuff i found so far is Autoglym Bumper Care, its like a green gel, does a good job anyway..

dakini · Apr 16th, 2006, 06:33 PM

i've been trying to find autoglym in the us, but they don't make it here i think?

GR33NIE · Apr 16th, 2006, 06:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Reedy

Best stuff i found so far is Autoglym Bumper Care, its like a green gel, does a good job anyway..

& AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care works a treat too

cruise_carter · Apr 16th, 2006, 07:45 PM

go to 303products.com and hunt down the dealers list. 303 aerospace is the best product for tires and rims. spray everything and wipe down. keeps the brake dust to a minimum also. use it on the wheel arches, dash, etc. if they made a toothpaste, I would probably use it...cheers, Dale

GavP · Apr 16th, 2006, 07:54 PM

I use Meguiars Trim Detailer for the black plastic trim...

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/sp...pc=G10810&tp=0

and NXT Tech Protectant for the tyres...

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/sp...pc=G12924&tp=0

and have no complaints.

dalboyne · Apr 16th, 2006, 08:00 PM

It's difficult to get hold of here in Europe, but 303 is without doubt the best stuff I have found!

stephen orford · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:28 PM

I'd like to suggest AutoGlym I used it for the first time this long weekend and found the results very good. Also, its used by the Queen of Australia, so it must be good. But it does not come cheap I paid $30+ for a bottle at a local Pep Parts.

Vitesse · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:47 PM

I used to use autoglym but found it a pain. I now use Meguiars Trim Detailer. The problem I found with Autoglym was you had to be quite precise and not get it on the painted areas if you could help it, plus it was really slow to apply.

Meguiars, you just slap it on and it seems to spread easier and come off the painted areas better. Plus I think they recommend putting 2 coats on which I personally found quicker than putting one of Autoglym on.

"Megan" · Apr 17th, 2006, 04:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gmb126

I've read in some of the exterior care threads here about some of you recommending specific polish for the plastics on the exterior (like the fender skirts/flares). So, I went looking for some yesterday, as today I put my first coat of Maguire's on the new MINI. Couldn't really find anything I was comfortable with, though:
- Mother's offered one, but only for smooth-surface plastics

Mothers also does something called Back to Black, which I have used on the black trim and it came up beautifully, really impressed!!

Electric Blue · Apr 17th, 2006, 08:45 AM

Back to Black (if its the spray stuff) is the worst thing you can use, within a few months your plastics and tyres go brown unless you keep applying more layers.

Something to do with a chemical reaction with one of the ingredients.

I kid you not

mg1232 · Apr 17th, 2006, 08:46 AM

You can get Autoglym in the States:

http://www.detailsupplydepot.com/scr...gm=dsd31-5.bbx

ss24 · Apr 17th, 2006, 01:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GR33NIE

& AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care works a treat too

I agree, and it's available in the states.

obehave · Apr 17th, 2006, 04:47 PM

The problem I see with anything mentioned here except the 303 is that it only works in specific situations.
The 303 does all of them and more.

mg1232 · Apr 17th, 2006, 04:53 PM

I used the Autoglym bumper care about three weeks ago now and after washing off the dirt with a hose, everything still looks as good as new!

dakini · Apr 18th, 2006, 01:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan

Mothers also does something called Back to Black, which I have used on the black trim and it came up beautifully, really impressed!!

I just bought a squeeze bottle of this and tried it out. Car looks showroom loverly again.

Apr 15th, 2006, 11:57 PM	#1
gmb126 National Asset Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 11 Offline	Exterior Plastics Polish/Protector I've read in some of the exterior care threads here about some of you recommending specific polish for the plastics on the exterior (like the fender skirts/flares). So, I went looking for some yesterday, as today I put my first coat of Maguire's on the new MINI. Couldn't really find anything I was comfortable with, though: - Mother's offered one, but only for smooth-surface plastics - Maguire's and others offered some, but only for clear plastics and plexi (likely for plastic windows and light covers) Is searching for more really worth it, or have some of you simply used regular wax or even tire-blacking chemicals to protect those skirts? PS - I'm in the US, so suggestions for products that are available internationally would be superb! Greg B. / 2006 Cooper S BRG

Apr 16th, 2006, 12:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
retired00 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern N.C. Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 139 Offline	A second vote for 303 Aerospace Protectant--just a sheen, not shine, can't hurt the alloys with overspray(even suggested as a protectant), long life. Jim 2005 MCS

Apr 16th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
gmb126 National Asset Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 11 Offline	Where can I find this fine product? Greg B. / 2006 Cooper S BRG

Apr 16th, 2006, 06:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
"Reedy" Lost in Mini2 My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 928 Offline	Best stuff i found so far is Autoglym Bumper Care, its like a green gel, does a good job anyway.. JCW Black R105 - JCW Strut - More Mods Soon...

Apr 16th, 2006, 07:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
GavP MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peterborough Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 62 Offline	I use Meguiars Trim Detailer for the black plastic trim... http://www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/sp...pc=G10810&tp=0 and NXT Tech Protectant for the tyres... http://www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/sp...pc=G12924&tp=0 and have no complaints. 2003 Mini Cooper S (Indy Blue + Chilli + Xenons + Satnav etc) + 2003 BMW 330Ci Sport + 2002 Mondeo 2.0LX + 2000 Ford Puma 1.7

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Apr 16th, 2006, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 9,388 Offline	303 Aerosoace. Works gfreat on all plastics and is the best thig on clear plastic I've ever found. Works on tires as well.

Apr 16th, 2006, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
dakini powered by coffee IVdrip™ My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: in a box Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 6,390 Offline	i've also been looking in the us for something like this ... my side skirts are looking kinda dull and scratched from road salt.

Apr 16th, 2006, 06:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
dakini powered by coffee IVdrip™ My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: in a box Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 6,390 Offline	i've been trying to find autoglym in the us, but they don't make it here i think?

Apr 16th, 2006, 06:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
GR33NIE Polo GT Owner! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MacRumours Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 3,850 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Reedy Best stuff i found so far is Autoglym Bumper Care, its like a green gel, does a good job anyway.. & AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care works a treat too

Apr 16th, 2006, 07:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
cruise_carter MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 14 Offline	go to 303products.com and hunt down the dealers list. 303 aerospace is the best product for tires and rims. spray everything and wipe down. keeps the brake dust to a minimum also. use it on the wheel arches, dash, etc. if they made a toothpaste, I would probably use it...cheers, Dale

Apr 16th, 2006, 08:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
dalboyne R57? Bring it on! My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Luxembourg Local Time: 05:27 AM Posts: 1,725 Offline	Another vote for 303 It's difficult to get hold of here in Europe, but 303 is without doubt the best stuff I have found!

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
stephen orford MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Local Time: 02:27 PM Posts: 109 Offline	I'd like to suggest AutoGlym I used it for the first time this long weekend and found the results very good. Also, its used by the Queen of Australia, so it must be good. But it does not come cheap I paid $30+ for a bottle at a local Pep Parts.

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
Vitesse MINI2 Senior Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Westerham Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 685 Offline	I used to use autoglym but found it a pain. I now use Meguiars Trim Detailer. The problem I found with Autoglym was you had to be quite precise and not get it on the painted areas if you could help it, plus it was really slow to apply. Meguiars, you just slap it on and it seems to spread easier and come off the painted areas better. Plus I think they recommend putting 2 coats on which I personally found quicker than putting one of Autoglym on.

Apr 17th, 2006, 04:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
"Megan" MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 01:27 PM Posts: 1,768 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by gmb126 I've read in some of the exterior care threads here about some of you recommending specific polish for the plastics on the exterior (like the fender skirts/flares). So, I went looking for some yesterday, as today I put my first coat of Maguire's on the new MINI. Couldn't really find anything I was comfortable with, though: - Mother's offered one, but only for smooth-surface plastics Mothers also does something called Back to Black, which I have used on the black trim and it came up beautifully, really impressed!!

Apr 17th, 2006, 08:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
Electric Blue MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sunderland Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 653 Offline	Back to Black (if its the spray stuff) is the worst thing you can use, within a few months your plastics and tyres go brown unless you keep applying more layers. Something to do with a chemical reaction with one of the ingredients. I kid you not

Apr 17th, 2006, 08:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
mg1232 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 112 Offline	You can get Autoglym in the States: http://www.detailsupplydepot.com/scr...gm=dsd31-5.bbx

Apr 17th, 2006, 01:57 PM	#17 (permalink)
ss24 This too shall pass Join Date: Nov 2005 Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 126 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by GR33NIE & AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care works a treat too I agree, and it's available in the states.

Apr 17th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 11:27 PM Posts: 9,388 Offline	The problem I see with anything mentioned here except the 303 is that it only works in specific situations. The 303 does all of them and more.

Apr 17th, 2006, 04:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
mg1232 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 112 Offline	I used the Autoglym bumper care about three weeks ago now and after washing off the dirt with a hose, everything still looks as good as new!

Apr 18th, 2006, 01:17 AM	#20 (permalink)
dakini powered by coffee IVdrip™ My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: in a box Local Time: 04:27 AM Posts: 6,390 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Megan Mothers also does something called Back to Black, which I have used on the black trim and it came up beautifully, really impressed!! I just bought a squeeze bottle of this and tried it out. Car looks showroom loverly again.

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