BoCRon

Sometimes it feels like Mind the Gap and other times it's more along the lines of Mind Gap.

Thanks for the thumbs up everyone. I've been getting trashed on another forum, which only bothers me just a little bit . So funny how people can get so worked up about someone else's car and money. Even when I see a car that isn't to my taste I would never say anything as I realize it wouldn't serve any purpose but to make them feel bad. And funnily enough sometimes a design I don't like eventually grows on me. I used to hate super modern design but have come to really love it. Things we learn as we get older and more tolerant I guess. Annette

Thanks all. For me the MINI is about fun. My last one was all dark and serious and while I liked it, it never made me grin. Hard not to chuckle every time I go in the garage with this one! Annette

Thanks to everyone here with the help getting the car prepped. The theme is HR Pufnstuf.

OK, since I got grief for the pics of the old products in my detailing corner I'm adding an updated view. Annette

I have a friend (corvette person) who was raving to me about something called Flynn's Cherry Wet Wax. I was going to give him some of my Adam's waxes (I got a few and never use them as I realize sealant is just more to my liking). I was going to do a little detail clinic and show him how I use my Adam's products. Not looking for a bashing of a product, just want an educated opinion from folks here. And any heads up on my plan. I'm going to show him how to clay (he hasn't ever done it! had the car detailed and they did it and I think made him think it was only something they should do ) and then give him my Adam's waxes to use. Annette

Thanks! I have all-purpose so will go with that. I did all gloss graphics based on the fact that I hate taping off to detail . Thanks for the tip on the damp microfiber, I'll do that for sure. Annette

Still working on the graphics for my car. I received a decal yesterday and the directions suggest using denatured alcohol followed by a citrus cleanser prior to application. Should I run out and grab something or am I wasting my time? My plan is to top with some HG&G when I'm done. Annette

Dan, thanks so much for your help. So glad to hear from a graphics pro, I was worried I'd caused the issue and was feeling pretty guilty. When I picked up the car this afternoon the guy was showing me what was going on in his opinion. He did say that my car's paint job was in flawless condition compared to 99% of the cars he does so that made me feel better. I am taking the car back in a couple weeks to try again. 3M is sending out new vinyl and made sure it was a different batch. As this isn't my daily driver I will leave it garaged until then. Annette

Get before pics of your first official detail! Enjoy, Annette

So I posted last week that I was set up to get roof graphics done on my new MINI. I originally clayed the whole car and then applied liquid sealant, followed by a few coats of HG&G over the summer. In prep for the graphics I asked here and decided to clean the roof with all purpose cleaner, I then clayed it again and followed up with a wash with dawn. The graphics guy did the isopropyl alcohol wipe down once he got the car. Anyway he called last night to say the black vinyl wrap wasn't adhering. It was actually turning into something that looks like ostrich skin. He seems to think it is a bad batch of black vinyl as he put red vinyl on my husband's car the day before with no issues. Hubbys car had same exact treatment. Just thought I'd check in here to see if anyone has insight. Here's a pic of how it looks. Ignore the reflections ????. ANNETTE

Thanks, I was just thinking the All Purpose would be the way to go. I'm worried about it running down the car when I rinse as I don't really want to remove the sealant from the rest of the car. Maybe I can spray the all-purpose directly on one of my microfiber applicators and apply it that way and then rinse with some wet double softs and then wash? Annette

I am finally getting my roof graphics and stripes done on my MINI, woohoo! When I first got her I did a pretty good detail, wash, clay, followed by Paint Sealant and then followed up over the summer with a few applications of HG&G. I also did glass sealant and can't remember if I did the glass on the sunroof. The guy that is doing the graphics has only asked that the car be brought to him in fairly clean condition, not an issue. He did state that the only time he's had trouble with graphics on the sunroof is when someone has applied rainx or similar recently. He uses an alcohol based cleaner to wipe down prior to applying the graphics but I would like to remove what I can from the roof and sunroof. So what should I clean the roof and sunroof with prior to delivering to him next week? The car will be garaged and not get driven next week so I'm not worried about removing any protection. Annette

If I'm being realistic I'm sure I would spend it on wine to add to the cellar. Annette

I find the wedge easier to hold so have been using it more lately. Also my husband has had some issues with his skin reacting to soaps and chemicals so he likes that he can hold the wedge and keep his hand out of the soap for the most part. I've only had mine since June so jury is still out on durability. Annette