Took MistyK to my local DIY car wash after a long run down to Apollo Bay and back and i dont know what they put in their water/soap but it seems to have taken some of the polish/film from the paint.

I first noticed it when i drove from the bay to the vacuum area and noticed the water on the boot wasnt beading like it should, rather sitting in large thin patches. After i dried the area there was also some run marks on the lower edge near the hinges. At first i figured maybe i hadnt washed it properly so went back and re washed the back of the car. Patches gone but run marks stayed. Later on last night under some shop lights i also saw similar markings on the front guards and bonnet.

Im going to wash those areas with my normal stuff at home and then polish it and see how we go but im not going back there, thats for sure - not about to wreck 10K worth of mini with some weirdo washing place.

PS, MistyK still has his original Berger Duracryl Acrylic paint and perhaps 2 pak wouldnt exeperience such difficulities. ill let you know how i go..

Pete

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hmmm i had a similar issue with my 850 recently. I thought it was just because i did not chamois it properly. but that is the only place i can wash the car with the water restrictions at the moment. The 850 also has mostly the original paint except where the previous owner did a couple of rust repairs and changed the roof colour, and the problem doesn't seem to be there on the roof.

i was going to re polish mine to see if i could get it back to where it was as well

michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

There are car washes and there are car washes

My Bro-in-law owns one in Ballina and he tells me (but then he is biased) that the franchised washes use cheap equipmewnt and crap chemicals. He is an inpedendent and sourced his equipment from the States and uses top quality chemicals AND highly filtered rinse water (almost pharmaceutical grade - I was surprised) to reduce streaking. He said that there is one brand of franchaise that uses recycled water to rinse the cars with and it leaves streaks.

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

which brand would that be then? the one i used in burwood was carlovers

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

yep most car wash places use recycled water , they also use truck wash in there soap (almost a degreeser).

What has happened is the soap they use is so strong it has stained the paint, these places mostly deal with newer cars (2-4years old) and there paint work is usually 2 pak and can handle the soap. On older cars the soap will penetrate the paint, just as if you sprayed degreeser on it and left it in the sun for 10 minutes.

Polishing can most the time fix it, but if you dont have much paint left you can get to the under coat before you get rid of the marks.

Red is the colour most people have problems with, when ever i detail a red car i make sure it is completly wet before i spray degreeser anywhere near it, and never leave it sit for more then a couple of minutes.

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1974 Moke - 998cc
76 Clubman B16a2 Vtec AWD Turbo 12.9@105mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9PW49e1hYs

lucky i have a car cover now. it means i can get away with a quick rub over with the chamois before i take it out, once i've done the polish. and i am one step closer to getting a garage!!! the council inspector visted and doesn't see any major issues

michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Go and grab a bottle of the latest turtle wax and a "Proper" applicator and polishing cloth and give it a good going over with the turtle wax, should fix the problem (THough I havnt seen it). I do mine once every three months, keeps the paint well protected.

Guys, i have been a meguairs loyal washer and polisher for quite a few years now until i saw Bowden's Own....... It is all i use on Slidey now.
David Bowden owns possibly the most comprehensive collection of historical race cars in australia.......... he now has his own brand of products for car care. I must say that they are the best products i have used to this date.
Have a look at the site http://www.bowdensown.com.au/ they should be in stock down south, so give it a try

Steve

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I got nuthin......................

No worky Steve

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Booooooooooo. whats going on here Geez what a knob i am..... must not put comma following pasted address Fixed now

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I got nuthin......................

Rrrrr thats better I'll give them a go next time I need some

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

I've always used Mothers, I'll definately give Bowdens a go when I run out though, it sounds good.

The one i went to has all Yank equipment and uses a spot free rinse at the end which is super clean treated stuff but i think the rest is recycled. meanwile MistyK's wings look terrible...

Thanks for the suggestions though, it really looks like the previous polish film has come off and the paint stained. Im pretty sure the polish sould bring it back ok...

The affected parts are also smooth rather than glossy. *sigh* hope its not terminal.. my poor K..

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