How Not To Clean A Car

Teflon · 2nd June 2018, 19:21

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

.

The result is that the poor car hadn't been cleaned since around September last year

. 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

) with some warm water. Added a squirt of Fairy liquid (

) and threw in a sponge (

). 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

.

And the dodgy bonnet

:

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

.

Cliff

Dallas · 2nd June 2018, 20:04

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

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

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

Teflon · 2nd June 2018, 22:03

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.

Cliff

Dallas · 2nd June 2018, 22:28

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.

... and dont forget about the detail work you want to do on the engine

I know you do, I can tell.

planenut · 3rd June 2018, 07:46

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

Teflon · 4th June 2018, 18:57

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

. 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

.

Cliff

Fusilier · 4th June 2018, 19:22

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

Stu

Teflon · 4th June 2018, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusilier

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

Stu

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

LOL

Cliff

Fusilier · 4th June 2018, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teflon

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

LOL

Cliff

Cliff

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

Stu

mininuts · 4th June 2018, 21:31

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

2nd June 2018, 19:21	#1
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,201 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	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 . The result is that the poor car hadn't been cleaned since around September last year . 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 ) with some warm water. Added a squirt of Fairy liquid () and threw in a sponge (). 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 . And the dodgy bonnet : Really wish I'd taken some "before" photos, but I really didn't expect such a massive improvement . Cliff __________________ No. 4 of 6

2nd June 2018, 22:03	#3
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,201 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	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. Cliff __________________ No. 4 of 6

4th June 2018, 18:57	#6
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,201 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	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. 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 . Cliff __________________ No. 4 of 6

4th June 2018, 19:22	#7
Fusilier Moderator / RS North East MG ZT T 180,MGF Freestyle, Jaguar XKR Convertible and XF Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newton Aycliffe Posts: 6,397 Thanks: 1,329 Thanked 2,231 Times in 1,309 Posts	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 Stu __________________ # Project Gruple http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=213155

4th June 2018, 21:31	#10
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	Nice job Cliff but, don't bother too much, it's not a proper Mini __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

2nd June 2018, 20:04	#2
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	I love these Mini's, especially in red, nearly bought one several times. Don't be so hard on the old girl Cliff, look at all that chrome to polish Cliff, give her so loving tomorrow, she certainly brightens up your drive.

2nd June 2018, 22:28	#4
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	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. ... and dont forget about the detail work you want to do on the engine I know you do, I can tell.

3rd June 2018, 07:46	#5
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,948 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	I'm really not surprised Cliff, as we have seen your other results, nice one.

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