[amandachannon]

Hi there,i got my mini on 1st march and its dirty already!Just wanted to know if anyone uses the BMW mini car cleaning products?As i notice that most owners are using different makes.Is this because BMW mini products are more expensive?As i need to get some products as it needs its first wash but havnt a clue what to use.Would appreciate some advice.Thanks

[Dead Duck]

Congratulations on your new arrival!

I don't know about the BMW branded car care products, so I can't comment on them. But I've gone through a fair few products in my time, and have to say that the Meguiars range is absolutely superb. Using their NXT shampoo, and Tech Wax at the moment. They give fantastic results. Not cheap, but worth it.

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/

Available from some Halfords stores now apparently.

[amandachannon]

Thanks for your advice.I shouldnt have to wax my car yet though shuld i?

[Mike Edwards]

It can't hurt.

Plus, it doesn't have any one at the moment...

[Olly.]

Definately agree with those comments, meguiars is the best stuff

Here's a write up of there products I did a while ago, most other people seemed to agree with the comments...... http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...t=meguiars+wow

[Dead Duck]

As Mike said, "it can't hurt".

A good layer of NXT Tech wax will help prevent nasties doing damage to your paintwork making it look newer longer, and wlll help make your car easier to keep clean when it does need doing.

What colour did you get?

[amandachannon]

Thanks for all your help.I got solid black&silver bonnet stripes.

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by amandachannon

Thanks for all your help.I got solid black&silver bonnet stripes.

Oh god Black, I have a solid Black Cooper, its an absolute nightmare!!

Good luck in keeping it clean

[Dead Duck]

Mines black too! The missus isn't happy that I'm cleaning it every other day at the moment!

[IhopeitWORKS]

Without meaning to start any arguments, the best product I've found is Swissol, closely followed by Zymol. Meguiars is another excellent quallity product.....in fact whatever car wash you buy nowadays you can't go too far wrong!

Have fun!

[Olly.]

Don't worry about starting an arguement, its good to hear of everyones opinions, its what were all hear for after all.

A lot of people rate the zymol kit, I personally haven't tried it and to be honest I haven't even heard of Swissol products Where can you get them, i'll have to take a look at them?

Olly

[IhopeitWORKS]

You can go to www.swissol.com to find out more. I've used their products on all my cars with great results. Plus they're environmentally friendly which is a plus for me.

The online ordering process is simple and everything arrives promptly.

The only drawback is the price, which for some of the waxes is astronomical. IMHO they're the best car cleaning products available but if you put price into the equation I'd head toward Meguiars.

Steve

Hi

I purchase Meguiars NXT wash and polish from the advice on these forums and it worked really well. Especially since my Mini is black and the has been looking grotty due to the weather here, it came up great after its wash today.

A good site is www.drivenincar.com, there is a good produt selection and the delivery was prompt

Rob

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by IhopeitWORKS

You can go to www.swissol.com to find out more. I've used their products on all my cars with great results. Plus they're environmentally friendly which is a plus for me.

The online ordering process is simple and everything arrives promptly.

The only drawback is the price, which for some of the waxes is astronomical. IMHO they're the best car cleaning products available but if you put price into the equation I'd head toward Meguiars.

Steve

Steve,

they look pretty impressive products, but unfortunately I can't afford to spend that sort of money, as you always hear......you get what you pay for

[Kitkat1303]

At least I am not alone, I picked my Black MCS Conv on 1st march and it is so dirty, it lloks like it has been through a swamp and back.

[amandachannon]

Hi there,cleaned my car today as it was filthy.But managed to scratch the plastic trim above the wheel arch.Its not bad but you can notice it.It was the cloth i was using what did it.Can you tell me what cloths you use,to polish it.Could you also advise me on what i should use on the plastic,and if there is anything that will disguise the scratch.Thanks

[Dead Duck]

Here's what I use:

• Meguiars Lambs Wool mit for washing the car (less likely to scratch the paint than a sponge as grit sinks into the fibres)

• Car dried off with an Autoglym synthetic chamois (not cheap, but I've had it for years and it leaves a streak-free finish really effortlessly), others use microfibre towels

• Car polish/wax applied with new unbleached cotton rags - thrown away after each use

• Polish/wax removed with a microfibre towel, these make removing polish/wax residue really easy - machine washed after each use

Have you scratched the plastic trim on the wheel arch with a cloth?! Bin the cloth! I wouldn't want to use anything on my car that could scratch plastic like that!

There's not an awful lot you can do about scratches on those textured plastic trims, but a replacement is quite cheap from a MINI dealer if it really bothers you. A temporary measure would be to use a quality vinyl/trim cleaner.

[amandachannon]

Thanks very much,it was a chamois i used.But had a patch on it which was rough.Am really annoyed as slight scratches on bonnet too.Anyway shall buy what you have suggested.Thanks

[allagaroo]

Quote: Originally Posted by amandachannon

Hi there,cleaned my car today as it was filthy.But managed to scratch the plastic trim above the wheel arch.Its not bad but you can notice it.It was the cloth i was using what did it.Can you tell me what cloths you use,to polish it.Could you also advise me on what i should use on the plastic,and if there is anything that will disguise the scratch.Thanks

Since microfiber towels came about I find them far superior for polishing/waxing then all cotton. The microfiber towels that are designed for drying hold far more water than the synthetic chamois that I never use anymore. The Big Blue Towel is AWESOME for drying. Try Plexus on plastic, dashboard gauges, front and rear light lenses and wood trim if your car has any. I also use it on the plastic enclosure on my boat. Great stuff. I don't think it will take out deep scratches but it will remove minor ones. Hope this is of some help.
J