Cleaning

[PrincessRiot]

Hi i know this has probably been asked before but I'm new to the whole car thing :P so help and advice would be greatly appreciated:

I have a black mini one and would like to know what to clean him with.
i don't want to spend a fortune but would like something decent.

I'm gonna be needing advice on cleaning for the inside and outside and what sponges and stuff to use

Sorry to ask such a dumb question, but i don't have a clue and just want him to look pretty :P

[christian6984]

Hi,

The Wash is where most people inflict damage, sponges trap dirt against the surface and move it around swirls form, this can make black cars look grey. The Zymol Sponge is the only one that wont damage the car, other than this wash mitts are much better. Washing two bucket method with grit guards prevents damage as all the grit sits at the bottom of the rinse bucket and a separate wash solution always stays clean (i.e. when you go from the wash bucket, rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket, rub it on the guard at the bottom, back to wash solution and next part of the car. (sorry so long but its easier than it looks above)

Work top to bottom of the car when washing, get a car shampoo, dont use Fairy it has salt that dries out the paint and encorages rust.

Claying - very simple stage that removes contaminants that dont come off during the wash, after washing your paint should be as smooth as glass, if it isnt this will fix it.

Polish - Autoglym SRP hides swirls and marks, wipe on wipe off using applicators/buff with microfibre cloth.

Wax - Collinite 476s is one of my favorites and suites all colours and two layers 24hours apart will give an easy six months protection.


Should end up with something like this (not to bad for a 19 year old Mini)

Sorry so long.

[PrincessRiot]

Looks Beautiful thanks for the advice

[christian6984]

Any questions just ask, also Detailing World is a good source for absolutely anything and everyones really helpful, i may have gone a bit OTT there. This is my sisters car sat unused for 8 years so not the biggest of tasks, that was swirl removal on a 1 year old astra that looked like it'd been washed with wire wool.

[PrincessRiot]

still looks lovely and thanks

[PK5]

Princess have you had your car delivered?

[PrincessRiot]

Thursday

[PK5]

Great cant wait to see the pics!

[christian6984]

Do u ask the dealer not touch or wash or doing anything to the car like us from DW, if you do it will be swirl and damage free. Maybe a bit dirty but if you use the right technique it will look like it rolled of the production line

[PrincessRiot]

Its not from a dealer, its my mums friends girlfriends car

[christian6984]

super, i really want a new mini cooper S R56, it seems tricky to get the right spec, but theres plenty of info. Prob gonna be another year or two yet (picked up a 08 Clio in feb)

[Woodybeefcake]

As said get yourself some AutoGlym SRP and a proper applicator. If you want to keep it cheap get some Auto Glym Potectoion, or as said Colonite476s is VERY good!

I'm a clean freak and a member of a detailing forum! For wheels you'll be wanting some bilberry! Try and find someone who is into detailing and get them to machine polish it for you, then afterwards keep it waxed up and it will always gleam! DONT use a sponge or a brush to wash it, get a microfiber mitt of lambs wool and you will keep the 'swirls' down! If you wanna know more PM me or join DW!

[Lix]

Hi, don't know how much you're thinking of spending, but I have 4 of these for sale MINI2 Classifieds - Heavy Duty Foam Lance Karcher fitting NEW+Unused - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds if you want an excellent pre-wash.

[Scrounger]

if you buy the right products your car will look better for longer

I only use Autoglym

Ok, its a little bit expensive, but i'm sure the pictures speak for themselves

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[JamesH]

autoglym is a good place to start out, when you start valeting/detailing more expensive cars or more seriously i use more expensive and specialist products such as zymol..in my eyes the kings of the detailing world.

first of all i think it needs to be made clear to princess that the process described above, well sort of, is a valet. this only needs to be done meybe twice a year.

if im doing this this is what i would do

snowfoam
wheels..with alloy wheel cleaner
two bucket method
dry - using microfibres
clay
polish
wax

this is the basics, then for me i add extra details

window clean/seal
Bumper care on plastic trim and rubbers
wheel sealant
exhaust cleaner (autosol)


all of this is for the outside