MCC Milly's Zaino Protection Detail - Mini Cooper

[RussZS]

Miss MCC (Milly) recently bought a new car - a Mini Cooper in Pepper White with Chilli Pack. The car is in decent condition but the paintwork needed a bit of love so we spent today giving it a quick clean up and some protection...

DSC02786 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02785 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02787 by RussZS, on Flickr


As always wheels were up first. These wheels do need a refurb as there's a fair bit of lacquer peel/bubbling, particularly around the wheel bolts - presumably from 'cheap car washes' over the years:

DSC02788 by RussZS, on Flickr


Smart Wheels was used @ 4:1 and a mixture of wheel brushes:

DSC02794 by RussZS, on Flickr


Medium sized Wheel Wooly from Polished Bliss:

DSC02795 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02796 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02797 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02799 by RussZS, on Flickr


The new Valet Pro brushes were used on the wheel faces:

DSC02800 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02801 by RussZS, on Flickr


G101 on the tyres and arches:

DSC02802 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02803 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02805 by RussZS, on Flickr


Much better!!

DSC02806 by RussZS, on Flickr


However there was still a great deal of brake dust embedded into the lacquer, so out came the IronX!

DSC02809 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02811 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02812 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next we used Megs Hyper Wash via CYC Snow Foam Lance to cover the car in shampoo to begin to break down the dirt on the paintwork:

DSC02813 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02814 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02815 by RussZS, on Flickr


Whilst the foam was dwelling and working its magic, the more intricate areas were worked with Surfex HD and a Swissvax Detail Brush:

DSC02817 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02816 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02819 by RussZS, on Flickr


Under the rear number plates was a bit messy!

DSC02820 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02822 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02831 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02832 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next the car was rinsed to remove as much loose dirt as possible before making physical contact with the car.


After this we washed the car down safely using Hyper Wash and a Dooka Wash Pad:

DSC02833 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02834 by RussZS, on Flickr


The Wash Pad is new to me and was being used for the first time on this car. It was incredibly well made and absolutely perfect size wise for hand washing. I don't get on with a lot of mitts, but like the deeper pile of lambswool over a sponge so this is 'best of both worlds' for me. It looks great in black too! Defo a thumbs up from me!

DSC02835 by RussZS, on Flickr


IronX was next on the paintwork...

DSC02836 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02837 by RussZS, on Flickr


Tardis was then used to remove a small amount of tar and we clayed with Zaino Z18 clay with Optimum Instant Detailer as lube:

DSC02843 by RussZS, on Flickr


Now the paintwork on this car is in desperate need of a machine polish but we didn't have time for that today so opted instead to cleanse the paintwork properly and lay down some solid protection to protect it until I have the time to correct it properly.


We decided on Zaino for this today, so started off with Zaino All In One which is a superb paint cleanser, which also leaves behind a good amount of protection too.

DSC02846 by RussZS, on Flickr


This was applied via MF Pad with a mist of Z6 which helps spread the product:

DSC02845 by RussZS, on Flickr


Whilst ZAIO was left to cure a little, the exhaust was polished with Auto Finesse Mercury:

DSC02848 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02849 by RussZS, on Flickr


Pinnacle Black Onyx was used on the tyres:

DSC02856 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02857 by RussZS, on Flickr


Auto Finesse Revive on the black plastics:

DSC02858 by RussZS, on Flickr


Crystal was used on the glass:

DSC02859 by RussZS, on Flickr


Meanwhile I put on a thin layer of Zaino Z2 Sealant, whilst Milly continued work on the interior:

DSC02860 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02862 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02864 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02865 by RussZS, on Flickr


Spritz was used on the interior plastics:

DSC02866 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02877 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02878 by RussZS, on Flickr


It leaves a perfectly matte factory finish:

DSC02880 by RussZS, on Flickr


Lastly the Z2 was removed and a layer of Z8 was applied:

DSC02855 by RussZS, on Flickr


The afters...

DSC02868 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02871 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02881 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02890 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02894 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02895 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02898 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02899 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02900 by RussZS, on Flickr

DSC02902 by RussZS, on Flickr


One very happy but cold owner!

DSC02889 by RussZS, on Flickr


Coming next on this Mini we have:


- Full Correction Detail with Opti Coat 2.0
- Rear Window Tints from MCC
- Alloy Refurb from Rimfurbish
- Clear Side Indicators


Just a quick one today - total time 4 hours.


Unfortunately I'm 3 cars behind due to the cold weather but the Focus RS, EO ST and partial wet sand Focus ST500 will all be coming within the next few months.


Next weekend a Jeep in for Opti Coat Detail and a white 3dr Sierra Cossie in for an Enhancement...


Thanks,


Russ and Milly!

 

[Daniel]

Well milly is fit, has good taste in girly cars AND is willing to get her hands dirty!

Good girl Milly! lol.

Back OT, that iron X stuff looks pretty impressive. Do you just spray it on the rinse off I assume? Or washing/agitating it may scrath the paint further?

 

[RussZS]

Lol!!! She's even doing her own write up for the Mini Forum!! She's not a bad catch!

Yep IronX you just spray on, leave for 5-10 mins to do its thing then rinse. There's a new improved version which smells like cherries and not an eggy fart which is out now too!

 

[Daniel]

Is it safe if it makes its way onto plastics/painted plastics?

 

[RussZS]

As long as you don't let it dry or in direct sunlight then yes - I've never had any issues, but obviously try and avoid if you can.

 

[Daniel]

Cool, thanks for your help. I'll have to try some.

 

[Jon.G]

Bloody hell, looks mint!

Nice work.

 

[richy22]

I love my Dooka

whats Auto Finesse Revive like in comparison to something like C4?? I need something on the freelanders black bits to freshen them up. NLTG doesnt last too long on those bits (tyres its fine on :S)

 

[RussZS]

It's about the best of the 'non semi permanent' dressing IMO but it doesn't like some plastics. I've had a good 2-3 months on my Golf from it.

Thanks all

 

[richy22]

Hmm 7.95...might be worth a go before I resort to C4.

 

[Gally]

Agreed Russ. Easily the best after C4.

Car looks fantastic Russ. Love Zaino. What did you think of the clay?

Also is that orange pad lake country?

 

[welshname]

Looks great, love reading your write ups. After using revive I think it's great, might purchase some of that spritz for the interior plastics, hate products that make it shiny and slippy. Looks tacky.