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Nervous About Washing My Mini!


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#1 Mini-Mouse

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:55 PM

I will be washing my Mini for the first time soon and knowing their tendency to rust, I am somewhat nervous about dumping so much water onto my car and thought I would just run it past the more experienced individuals on here to see if there are any pre-wash measures I need to carry out such as plugging holes. 

 

From my research I was overwhelmed with the amount of car cleaning products there are but have a planned regime of:

 

1. Rinse with hose

2. Wash using car shampoo and wash mitt.

3. Dry with chamois leather or microfiber cloth

4. polish

5. wax 

 

I've also found some car shampoo in the garage from 1989! Would this be ok to use or does it expire (in which case I will buy some new stuff). 

 

Thanks as always!


Edited by Mini-Mouse, 06 April 2017 - 02:55 PM.


#2 SuperDeLuxeNick

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 03:25 PM

Use Meguirs or AutoGlym - yes buy new stuff and proper mitts etc.

 

Don't be afaraid to wash! - road dirt and grit and SALT is what rusts out not just clean water



#3 Midas Mk1

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 03:30 PM

Seriously, dont get hung up on rust. The only way Minis stay rust free is being locked away in a dry, humid free garage.

 

Took me a few years to get over that, paranoid over the slightest defect, i've learned to stop worrying, and enjoy them. Done 15k in the past 13 months in my daily since resto, aint perfect now unfortunately..

 

 

 

Decent wash, pre glaze, polish and wax (autofiness is good), waxoil or similair underneath, and enjoy. :)


Edited by Midas Mk1, 06 April 2017 - 03:31 PM.


#4 pusb

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 03:56 PM

If you use a hose, be careful not to aim it at the tops of the doors. I find mine leak if I aim water straight into the top door gap.



#5 Simont

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 05:38 PM

Get a glove or a proper spongey mitt thing, dont use a conventional sponge, and obviously, just to state the obvious, dont go near a jet/pressure washer


Edited by Simont, 06 April 2017 - 05:39 PM.


#6 ukcooper

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 06:19 PM

i would be as well one bucket one bucket and it going take ages wax it

 

 

 

 

rusty-abandoned-mini-car-in-field-ab6a9c



#7 absx2

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 07:44 PM

On the minis that never see rain unless by accident I use insulation tape to seal the window glass to the rubber properly so water does not get inside the doors.

Roll up window cars of course :) 



#8 Mini-Mouse

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 08:44 PM

On the minis that never see rain unless by accident I use insulation tape to seal the window glass to the rubber properly so water does not get inside the doors.

Roll up window cars of course :) 

Good idea! Might try this. Should help make me less paranoid! 



#9 Mini-Mouse

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Posted 06 April 2017 - 08:51 PM

 waxoil or similair underneath, and enjoy. :)

Would you waxoyl the wheel backing plates? Never seen or heard of it done before, but I figured the more you cover the better, of course avoiding moving parts. 



#10 mattmiglia

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Posted 07 April 2017 - 09:16 AM

Lambs wool wash mitt, auto finesse drying towel are both brilliant






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