How Not To Clean A Car
 

When Mrs Teflon got a new Hyundai i20 a year or so back, we kept hold of her old '04 plate Mini Cooper. It was worth so little we decided to use it as for all those little tasks that you don't want to risk your pride and joy with. You know, trips to the dump, supermarket visits etc. Anyhow, last year, the little Mini developed the dreaded laquer peel, a big patch on the bonnet. It looked terrible, and made me care even less about the car than I did before :o.

The result is that the poor car hadn't been cleaned since around September last year :eek:. She was a real mess. I had already decided to take her to a bodyshop to have the bonnet (and a few other bits) sorted, but personal pride wouldn't let me take her in her current state, so today I decided to giver her a thorough clean.

Normally, this would involve a pre-rinse, snowfoam, rinse, two bucket wash, rinse,clay bar, etc, etc, however I really couldn't be bothered with all that, so here's what happened:

Filled a bucket (yup, just the one :eek:) with some warm water. Added a squirt of Fairy liquid (:eek::eek:) and threw in a sponge (:eek::eek::eek:). Starting with the roof, I wiped it over with the soapy sponge, then wiped clean with an old damp microfibre cloth. A few squirts of ONR then a quick runover with an old clay bar that frankly should have been binned long ago. This was followed up with a session with the dual action polisher and some Megs compound, before being wiped down then topped off with a coat of Colinite 476s. Repeated this frankly abusive process for each of the panels in turn and was quite taken aback at how well it all turned out.

I've still got all the plastic trim, wheels and arches, door shuts, and interior to do, which should get tackled tomorrow, but given what a wreck she looked, I can't believe how well she's turned out after only a few hours effort in the afternoon. Just goes to show, car paint is perhaps more resilient than we realise.

Still wouldn't recommend this approach though - if it's you pride and joy, it needs to be done properly.

A few photos - please ignore the plastic trim and the wheels :o.

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And the dodgy bonnet :mad::

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Really wish I'd taken some "before" photos, but I really didn't expect such a massive improvement :getmecoat:.

Cliff

I love these Mini's, especially in red, nearly bought one several times. :eek:

Don't be so hard on the old girl Cliff, look at all that chrome to polish :drool4:

Cliff, give her so loving tomorrow, she certainly brightens up your drive. :D

You're right, of course. She's also great fun to drive - handles like she's on rails. Very different to the '75.

All being well, the wheels will be off tomorrow for a proper clean, then the plastic trim and interior. Then I may be able to face the bodyshop for a price on the paintwork. :o

Cliff

I'm sure you can get those wheels looking like new Cliff, she will look like a different car by the time you have finished. :D

... and dont forget about the detail work you want to do on the engine :eek: I know you do, I can tell. :D

I'm really not surprised Cliff, as we have seen your other results, nice one.

Finally got the wheels, arches, door shuts, and interior done. I have to confess I didn't worry too much about the wheel backs, as they were in such a state I'd still be working on them now! As it was, it took me one and a half days to get all 4 wheel faces clean, and there a still a few remnants of brake dust remaining:o. Good enough for now though :}.

It's surprising what a difference clean wheels can make to a cars appearance. Must make sure I keep on top of it now :cool:.

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Cliff

Cliff

You have done a great job on that little Mini, and it is looking ace, do you fancy popping up to mine to do my fleet for me :D:D:D:D

Stu

I'm on my way with the Fairy Liquid and sponge :eek: LOL

Cliff

Cliff

I thought that a brillo pad and some Vim would be better and finish off with an oily rag :eek::eek::eek:

Stu

Nice job Cliff but, don't bother too much, it's not a proper Mini :D :getmecoat: