So you got a MINI with less than 2,800 miles and you figure the paint must still be in new condition, right? So what can a detailer do with a car that's still new? |
CASE STUDY #1 Only 2727 miles At first look, the paint may look great from a few feet away, but put your hand on the bonnet and it's probably very rough. To be sure, give the car a thorough washing, and feel the paint again. It'll likely still be just as rough. (Click to Enlarge) (Click to Enlarge) This is where claybar works like magic and will lift all the gunk from your paint, leaving it smooth as glass. Note all rings and watches are removed while working to avoid instilling any scratches. I used only my fingertips and lightly brushed it to feel the roughness. (Click to Enlarge) Continue your inspection. Here's some scratches by the gas door. These can be removed with a rotary buffer. (Click to Enlarge) Some minor defects in the roof. (Click to Enlarge) Generally the paint is in excellent condition. Swirls are always evident in the windshield pillars. Due to the lack of sun, a Xenon flashlight is used to reveal the scratches. (Click to Enlarge) Once the entire car has been claybarred, and scratches removed, we can give it a thorough buffing using NXT Tech Wax. For more severe swirls, we can get more agressive either with a more coarse chemical, or a rotary buffer that does more work. But the final buff out will be with a PC to ensure the finish is swirl free. Even when a rotary is used, buffer swirls are common place, and a PC should still be used for the final buffing. Because this HyperBlue paint is metallic and a rather deep color, it can benefit by a Pure Polish such as #7 Show Car Glaze before the final coat of wax. I usually apply 2 coats to ensure even coverage over the entire car. (Click to Enlarge) Now that we're done with the paint, we need to make sure all the wax residue is removed from the crevices, apply NXT Metal Polysh on the chrome areas, and apply NXT Insane Shine to the tires and plastic trim. Excess Shine is removed with a towel, and over spray is wiped away with NXT Speed Detailer. (Click to Enlarge) (Click to Enlarge) Because nothing looks worse on a freshly detailed MINI than dripping water, all the door sills and openings are wiped dry. Trim dressing is applied to the interior panels to darken and protect them. Rubber seals are dressed as well. Carpeting can be vacuumed or wiped with a microfiber towel, and we're done. This was a scuff mark that looked like a dent. It came out with a mild cleaner and a soft microfiber towel to ensure no scratches were instilled. (Click to Enlarge) (Click to Enlarge) I love detailing MINI's, even when they aren't my own! Due to time constraints, this was a fast buff out done in 1.5 hours. I would have preferred to have been given 2.5 to 3 hours to be completely thorough. Wheels have been cleaned. Light surrounds, chrome grill, rally lights, handles,and exhaust have been polished. Tires and plastic trim have been dressed. Any wax residue has been removed, and the paint has been wiped down 3 times with microfiber towels.
Thank you South Bay MINI for providing another fantastic loaner car! |
