Most liked posts in thread: How I wash a MINI

I keep telling you all, that it can be bought at your local Tack Shop and it comes with it own dispenser. :yesnod:

Jim

 

Looks good Dwight.....

But here's what I want to know....

Whats that red "go fast" thing on your front MINI emblem (3rd & 4th pics)?:confused5:

 

That's a ferocious predatory insect that was supposed to gobble up bugs before they hit the windshield. Didn't work worth squat, but I figure it's good for at least 10WHP! LOL ut:

 

HAHAHAHAHHAHA....

 

Ok Jim, I can't buy anything that resembles a foam cannon at my tack shop, and I really don't think Flight would allow be to use such a thing in his presence. Do tell what you're thinking of!

Although I think if I covered the car in oats, the horses would like it clean :drool

 

Yeah, I'm with you Jim. I have one and it works great....

 

Want. It takes me an hour to hand wash mine...

While looking to see about how much $$ this equipment would be I found this Foam Wash Gun with FREE BONUS foam gun to put on a normal hose. Anyone ever use one of those?

 

Dwight,

Don't think you mentioned it. How long of a process is it from start to dry?

Maybe this is a OG question but...does using what I presume to be a harsher soap increase the cycle time you need to wax the car? In other words does this wear the wax quicker?

 

This is what I use....
It works great.... Comes with attachments as well... I think I paid something like $30.00 for the kit.

eZall Products - powerful, reliable Foamer -- Great for Total Body Wash, Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Shampoos etc.

 

Chuck, this seems like a diff approach. Maybe the diff is water supply (spigot vs power washer). Your solution seems to lay down a coat of foam as a pre-wash that loosens dirt and you follow up with a Mitt then rinse and dry

Dwight seems to have taken the Mitt out of the process if I am reading correctly

 

so you don't think a pressure washer is necessary? A foamer, good soap, and a hose should do the trick? Perhaps using hydro while drying to keep the car well waxed?

If I could spray my car with soap and rinse it off and it be 90% clean, I'd be a very happy MINI driver.

 

My concern is the 10%. That adds up to crud your going to pick up with your MF towel while Hydro'ing and scratch your car

 

My procedure is to first rinse the MINI with water from the sprayer hose. Then eZall foam the entire car and let it rest for like 5 minutes doing it's thing. Then I use a microfiber washmit and go over the whole car followed by the rinse. Then dry with a microfiber towel. Then use my choice of Prima products.

 

which still sounds speedier/easier than the normal wash bucket method.

 

I do have a bucket with clear water that I'll dip the wash mit in just to rinse any dirt particles out of the soapy micro fiber mit so as not to scratch the paint. Works well for me, and yes very quick.

 

it is a 32oz (1 quart) bottle? Is that enough to do an entire MINI?

 

Actually it's enough to do a team of Clydesdales....

You put the soap in the foamer as a non diluted concentrate and what doesn't get used is put back in the original soap container. You would never fill it up with 32oz of soap. The kit has 2 different flow control orifices that you can change out depending on the viscosity of your soap concentrate. The water pressure in the hose draws up the soap concentrate and mixes the water and a built in venturi mixes air with the solution to give you a foamy spray.

It's really pretty slick:lol::lol::lol:

 

You are still going to need a hand mit to get all of the paint surfaces clean, including the 10%. But the MINI is a small car, so it still is pretty quick to do.

 

I guess I should explain my washing rig a little better. A foam cannon/lance can only be used with a pressure washer to work correctly. Mines a PA unit i got from England for ~$60 +shipping. It requires at least 1400psi and can handle up tp 2500psi. It has adjustments for both mix rate and spray pattern. The Hyper Wash soap is designed specifically for use with this kind of combo and will not harm paint or finish if used correctly. Once you've foamed the car, you let it sit for 4-5min. This allows the soap to soften and lift the dirt from all surfaces and run off. The moment you see any drying, start rinsing with the pressure washer getting into all the nooks and crannies. Don't get the nozzle any closer then 2-3ft!! It can do serious damage to soft parts. When finished rinsing, start hand drying with a clean MF drying towel. If you drop it, get another one. Besides getting dirt out of places you can't reach with hand washing, you greatly reduce the chance of swirl marks and scratching. As that detailing guru told us, the less you touch the paint, the better! I believe him. His shop, Show Car Detailing, is rated the best in Orange County, CA. First time I tried this it took ~40min. I figure half that now that I've got a better idea what I'm doing.

 

Saweeeeeet! I can wash the 2 horses and all 3 MINIs with the same product!?!?! I know what I'm doing this weekend! :cornut: