Detailing day?

MiniGeoff · Post by **MiniGeoff** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:13 am

With nice weather on the horizon (let's hope) I thought this AM that maybe we should get together for some manner of detailing day somewhere. Some of you professional show car types could show us noobs how to make our MINIs look pretty again, inside and out, and generally have a nice time doing it. Providing the weather ever stops being icky.

I have no idea when or where, and I'm certainly a noob considering that I've washed my MINI more in the short time I've had it then I have all the other cars I've ever owned, combined.

Geoff

Counterfit_Mini · Post by **Counterfit_Mini** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:54 pm

That's a good idea....

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:14 pm

I second the good idea, If more people are interested we can begin to set a day.

Post by **ragtopday Johnna** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:07 pm

Would anyone be interested in a detailing clinic at an auto detail shop? I have a contact for a shop in Merriam (one that specializes in high-end rides) and could see what dates are available as well as cost if there is interest.

LittleRed · Post by **LittleRed** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:46 pm

ragtopday wrote:Would anyone be interested in a detailing clinic at an auto detail shop? I have a contact for a shop in Merriam (one that specializes in high-end rides) and could see what dates are available as well as cost if there is interest.

Detailing clinic? What would that entail? (Asks the girl who hasn't washed her Mini in the last couple weeks.

)

Post by **ragtopday Johnna** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:48 am

LittleRed wrote: Detailing clinic? What would that entail? (Asks the girl who hasn't washed her Mini in the last couple weeks. )

It could entail instruction on the areas that interest you most...whether that be proper upholstery care & cleaning, how to keep black trim black, where to start when you car needs a good Spring cleaning...I'm sure it could be structured to address the needs of those interested in attending. What detailing woes have y'all got?

anima · Post by **anima** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:46 am

I'd be interested in the clinic thing.

Jeff

Counterfit_Mini · Post by **Counterfit_Mini** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:54 pm

I'm interested.

MiniGeoff · Post by **MiniGeoff** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:08 pm

ragtopday wrote:What detailing woes have y'all got?

I need to learn a good way to clean my interior, because I vacuum and scrub and work and work and 30 seconds after I'm done, it still isn't clean. And I am clueless when it comes to waxing my car.

Generally, I can go to a carwash, spray my car for 5 min, and come out with a almost clean car. Everything else, not so much.

I'd be willing to give it a go for a training class from some pros, anyway.

Marlow Main · Post by **Marlow Main** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:57 pm

..... a detailing class??? Of course I'm in (no laughing)

mzupon · Post by **mzupon** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:33 pm

I know some basic stuff, but I'm always willing to learn more. I just bought a claybar but I'm not 100% how to use it.

ddmini · Post by **ddmini** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:01 pm

I think a clinic would be a fantastic idea. I would like to know more on how to use a buffer and how to keep the black trim black

Marlow Main · Post by **Marlow Main** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:23 pm

ddmini wrote:I think a clinic would be a fantastic idea. I would like to know more on how to use a buffer and how to keep the black trim black

Dave,
I use Black WOW on all the black trim and it works great! It holds up really well to the all the baths that Cousteau gets. I use it about once a month or so, and a little bottle will go along way. ( I have only used about 1/5 of the bottle I purchased in August) You can order it from Richard Lin (Octane Guy) from Show Care Detailing if your interested. His web address is
www.showcardetailing.com.

Happy detailing!

Post by **ragtopday Johnna** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:28 pm

If you need something quick/local, you might try Back to Black. I used it with good results when I had unpainted wheel arches. I also used peanut butter (or even better, the oil that separates onto the top) on a Q-tip to get nasty white wax marks off. Now I've switched to a wax that doesn't leave those marks...guess I was a little messy with the wax and not patient enough to tape off the arches every time.

Anyone tried Banana Gas from Detailers Paradise? I have a sample but haven't tried it yet. I was bummed it doesn't smell like bananas.

anima · Post by **anima** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:34 pm

Yeah a detailing day would be great. I just got rid of my old Suzuki truck, I really didn't care too much about how it looked - scratches and paint scuffs were just part of it after 8 years...... so not thinking (at all) I put an old cardboard box that had been sitting on the floor of the garage on the hood of my new car. When I took it off, I found some faint scratches in the clear coat - they are not bad and you can only see them in certain lighting conditions. My kids and wife say that I'm probably the only one who'll notice them, but there they are...... bugging me ........ Yeah, I know scratches come with car ownership, but I mean for Chris'sake it's only a week old and I've already scratched the little guy. I'd kinda like a pro to tell me how to buff them out without ruining the finish.

Jeff

sundance · Post by **sundance** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:02 pm

anima - no worries for you. you probably didn't scratch your finish beyond simple repair. Your car is pretty fresh from the dealer and you probably just scuffed the wax layer and maybe a little into the clear coat. There is a way to fix it but you don't want to go too far with polishing.

Maybe when it warms up for good we can get a detailing day planned.

Post by **ragtopday Johnna** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:04 pm

I'm hoping to have details on available dates for a detailing clinic with a pro...hopefully we'll know something early this week. If no one is opposed and there is an April date available, perhaps this could become our April meet??

Marlow Main · Post by **Marlow Main** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:34 pm

Anyone tried Banana Gas from Detailers Paradise? I have a sample but haven't tried it yet. I was bummed it doesn't smell like bananas.

[/quote]

I tried it on the " Barking Bus", since it is a little less OC cleaned as my MINI and I did not want to get a possible false impression of the product by using it with other DP products. The application was very easy and the works in well. I applied on on a rather cool day for waxing, round 39 to 40 degrees. It seems to hold up fairly well to multiple trips thru drive thru care wash

(this sort of treatment is only for the Trooper, no actual MINI were driven in the the drive thru care wash). You are right, they really need to work on the scent. I will probably order the big bottle for the care of the Trooper.