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

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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:

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

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Medium sized Wheel Wooly from Polished Bliss:

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

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G101 on the tyres and arches:

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Much better!!

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

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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:

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

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Under the rear number plates was a bit messy!

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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:

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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...

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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:

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

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Pinnacle Black Onyx was used on the tyres:

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Auto Finesse Revive on the black plastics:

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Crystal was used on the glass:

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

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Spritz was used on the interior plastics:

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It leaves a perfectly matte factory finish:

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

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The afters...

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One very happy but cold owner!

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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!

 

[Bluebeard]

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!

 

[Bluebeard]

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.

 

[Bluebeard]

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.