Cleaning

[JamesH]

thought id put the interior in a different post to help organise it all


first off take the floor matts out

-give the interior a real good hoover out, sliding the seats backwards to do the front footwells and then sliding them all the way back to do the rear floor.

*tips dont forget to hoover the seat rails

-then hoover the seats, using your fingers to spread the fabric in the seams of the seats,

-other things to hoover are : door pockets, centre console, gaitors,glovebox,headliner,

*when hoovering more intricate parts such as switches and fans its good to use a small brush at the same time in order to dislodge any dust/dirt.



- for the palstic trims there are numerous ways of doing this i.e. using a trim applicant, this i dont like makes the trim shiny and greasy

for me i just use a bucket of hot water and a sponge/cloth to wipe the surfaces down

*or you can use an interior shampoo if they are particularly dirty


An extra detail which you can do if your seats/carpet are very dirty you can use an interior shampoo


- next use a glass cleaner on the inside of the windows and interior mirrors


- finally hoover the floor matts (or use interior shampoo on them) and put them back into place




*dont forget the boot!

[JamesH]

ENGINE BAY

if your an obssesive like myself you may want to clean the engine bay


first off grab some tinfoil and wrap up any open wires or electrical points


-use and open ended hose to just lightly wet the engine bay

-apply engine degreaser

-Adgitate with brush

-hose down


*May i just add, do not use a power wash directly onto the engine, either turn the pressure right down or just use an open ended hose



To clean the underside of the bonnet i use the power wash (check for electrical points behind the lights)

Use snow foam on the engine sound proofing and all underneath the bonnet

leave for 5 mins, then power wash down (make sure the sound proofing is thoroughly washed down)

* in the arches of your mini there is a thin gap a finger width wide which is prone to getting full of dirt, get the power wash in this to blast the dirt out.



you can get an engine bay dressing substance although ive never used it because from what ive seen it makes the engine bay shiny and greasy, i prefer a natural clean look


If you have any chrome parts under the engine pay, a good chrome polish would do nicly on these parts

I also use AG bumper care on the rubbers to keep them in good condition



*whillst your under the engine bay its a good chance to check the oil and water etc

[JamesH]

the first post for ther exterior only has to be done meybe two times a year, the 2nd and 3rd post for the interior and engine bay this is up to you and the condition

for a general clean

snow foam
wheels
two bucket method
dry with microfibre

if needed add another layer of wax ( you know this when the water droplets on the car are no longer ball shaped but are lying flatter - this is known as beading)

hoover the car out