[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by cco7ers (original)

well thats a very arty set of pics paul stop getting those camera mags what is a glaze paul

A-Glaze Paint Sealant Application

[CC07ERS]

where did you get it paul i likee the look of this stuff

[Paul]

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-e...372-glaze.html

Take a read through that ^^^. You can DIY it for about £60 or most dealers can do it, but charge about £200/£250 (includes the five year warranty).

[Andy P]

Quote: Originally Posted by R99 (original)

Not up to the standard of those allready on, but gave it a good clean with just traditional car soap. Quite tempted to try one of these clay bars, any recomendations?







James.

Meguairs do a clay kit - I used that and the results where very good

[Paul]

I'd second the Meguairs clay, I've got one and it works wonders if you take your time and do it properly.

[MINIkt]

Gotta say I am a HUGE Meguiars fan too

[burns863]

Some pics of my MINI here. Some of these were after her last full detail and some were taken this weekend after a top up on her wax.

The full detail consisted of:

Megs # 83 with SFX 4" yellow
Megs #80 with SFX 6" white
Sonus Swirlbuster polish with SFX 6" white
Pinnacle XMT finishing glaze
Chemical Guys XXX Hardcore Wax

But now I am using Collonite 476S instead of the XXX Hardcore for the winter. Almost time for another full detail in a few months! Time to try out some new products too!

[the-ruff-puppy]

Quote:

That engine bays is scarily clean...

[Mat-CooperS]

Heres my effort from the weekend;

Washed with Megs Gold Class Shampoo using a lambs wool mit.
Dryed with Megs water magnet towel.
Taped up all the black bits.
Polished using AG Super Resin Polish
Waxed using AG Extra Gloss Protection
AG Glass Polish used on all windows.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1170670068

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...2&d=1170670531

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...4&d=1170670531

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...5&d=1170670531

[R99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Andy P (original)

Meguairs do a clay kit - I used that and the results where very good

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

I'd second the Meguairs clay, I've got one and it works wonders if you take your time and do it properly.

Quote: Originally Posted by HyperBlooz (original)

Gotta say I am a HUGE Meguiars fan too

Seems that Meguiars gets the votes. I might well try some of their stuff, the black on my car really does show up some bad swirl marks!

James.

[Andy P]

Quote: Originally Posted by R99 (original)

Seems that Meguiars gets the votes. I might well try some of their stuff, the black on my car really does show up some bad swirl marks!

James.

Have a look what Jon used on the first page - he has a black mini and it has to be the cleanest one I have seen

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by R99 (original)

Seems that Meguiars gets the votes. I might well try some of their stuff, the black on my car really does show up some bad swirl marks!

James.

You will struggle to even make any sort of impact on the swirls by hand. The MINI's paint is so hard (yet SO easy to swirl! doesnt make sense ). You will definitely be able to make your paint look better by using the correct products but removing the swirls will need a machine polishing Any help you need give me a shout

I do like quite a lot of the meguairs products, but a lot of products are better from the likes of poorboys, chemical guys, menzerna etc. These products arent readily available from shops in the UK but easily available online

To all of you using wash mitts... are you combining their useage with the 2 bucket method?

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

thats a lot of silicon spray there!

[wolfie26]

Hey - how to make someone feel guilty !! Bog basic wash and wax and a good chamois with good old fashioned elbow grease - which coincidentally is also very cheap !!!
Andy P - would you like to come round and demonstrate the products on my car eh! ????? I'll even help !

[jonnywhite]

Can someone come round and clean my car for me please. My arms ache and whenever I go near the motorway (which unfortunately is everyday) I get to my destination with a completely different coloured car and an empty washer bottle!

Attachment 128412 This is it fairly clean but not detailed. I just use mini products and polish by hand.

[djnas]

Heres mine!

[electric_cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan (original)

Washed today but its gone dark now to take a pic..

These are from last weekend

Pre-wash
Wash with Meguiars
Clay Bar'd
Zymol wax straight from the fridge.. didnt waste a drop as its too expensive
Meguiars window cleaner
Meguiars Tyre Gloss

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MATE!!

One of the nicest ive ever seen!! If that had the Aero Grill, would be perfect IMO

[R99]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

You will struggle to even make any sort of impact on the swirls by hand. The MINI's paint is so hard (yet SO easy to swirl! doesnt make sense ). You will definitely be able to make your paint look better by using the correct products but removing the swirls will need a machine polishing Any help you need give me a shout

I do like quite a lot of the meguairs products, but a lot of products are better from the likes of poorboys, chemical guys, menzerna etc. These products arent readily available from shops in the UK but easily available online

To all of you using wash mitts... are you combining their useage with the 2 bucket method?

Thanks for the info!

So if I were to dedicate an afternoon once the weather pics up, what would be a good method to use? Bearing in mind it would be my first attempt at doing a proper wash? Just a quick set of steps would be really helpfull!

Thanks, James.

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan (original)

thats a lot of silicon spray there!

No silicon spray

Quote: Originally Posted by R99 (original)

Thanks for the info!

So if I were to dedicate an afternoon once the weather pics up, what would be a good method to use? Bearing in mind it would be my first attempt at doing a proper wash? Just a quick set of steps would be really helpfull!

Thanks, James.

Hi James! All depends on what you want to do really. Like I say, if you want to get rid of swirls in a MINI, by hand, its just way too hard. You would literally have to spend half an hour to an hour on a 1ft square section and even then it might not make any difference.

If you are just wanting your MINI to look nice (but still have swirls) and be protected from the elements then that is definitely possible by hand The steps I have outlines below are simple steps, and can easily be added too by adding things such as Claying (to remove bonded contaminents from the paint with a bar of detailing clay), and glaze / sealant layers after the polish (but before the wax). However, the wax I have recommended is very duirable and acts as a sealant in itself. I have kept it simple though as thats what you asked. Anymore help just give me a shout!

1) Proper wash = Two Bucket Method
2 Buckets; Both with grit guards. One containing Soapy water and one containing clean water. For the shampoo I recommend Meguairs Gold Glass Shampoo+, its readily available from places like Halfrauds etc. You also need a Lambswool / Microfibre wash mitt. I prefer lambswool mitts due to their longer and more plush fibres, I feel they pose less of a risk of paint damage

All you need to do to carry out the Two Bucket Method Wash is dip and rinse the mitt in the bucket with clean water each time before you put it back in the soapy water. This just gets rid of the grit and dirt from the mitt and avoids putting it back on your car. Very simple but essential when cleaning a car properly

2) Drying
Dry your MINI with a dedicated drying towel (NOT a chamois leather, or a blade). I recommend the Poorboys Waffle Weave towels. Also, always 'Pat' the surface dry, dont scrub it dry.

A methid with helps dry the car is to sheet the water off before you dry with any sort of towel. To do this, after you have washed the car, just take the end off the hosepipe so you get a smooth flow of water and rinse the car like this (roof down). This sheets off a lot of the water so there is less to towel dry.

3) Polish
If your not looking to remove any swirls then you have got a few choices. Personally if you are looking for a nice finish with a good clean base for wax to be put on top I would go with Auto Glym Super Resin Polish. This is a highly underrated polish and is even easily available from Car Spares shops and the likes of Halfrauds. It also contains fillers so will fill some of the swirls. Apply with a Meguairs Gold Class Foam Applicator and buff off with a microfibre towel. Really work it into the paint and try and do the whole car before buffing off.

4) Wax
For the winter I would always always go with Collonite. Either 476S or 915. These give an amazing amount of protection and a great shine. A good coat of collonite will last almost 6 months without needing a top up. When applying, use a second Meguairs Gold Class Foam Applicator, try and do the whole car, then buff off (with a microfibre) from where you first applied the wax. If you want to layers then there are 2 ways you can do it. But to be honest, one layer of collonite is enough. Dont try and just put another layer on top after applying the first as waxes dont layer. You ened to wait 24hours. Other method is to spit shine a second layer.

Links
Links to buy all the products mentioned above:

News - Serious Performance
Clean Your Car - the best car wax, car polish and car care products UK
Car Care - The finest products, the best advice - Polished Bliss

[Andy P]

Quote: Originally Posted by wolfie26 (original)

Hey - how to make someone feel guilty !! Bog basic wash and wax and a good chamois with good old fashioned elbow grease - which coincidentally is also very cheap !!!
Andy P - would you like to come round and demonstrate the products on my car eh! ????? I'll even help !

Sorry it takes me long enough to do my own let alone yours, see the post above thats the best way to clean your car (Thanks Burns great write up)