Keeping Clean

[Puppethead]

Anyone use a touchless auto wash?

I use them in the winter, and when I need an "emergency" wash. But then I usually only get basic.

 

[Kirk McFarland]

 

[Kirk McFarland]

Pix of factory mud flaps. The car is rap in Xpal. Then ceramic coated. I wash weekly PH balance car shampoo, foam gun, two buckets, blow dry, last dry with micro fiber towel and detail spray. Clay and re-apply ceramic coating 2 or three times a year.

 

[Carsten Haase]

Pix of factory mud flaps.

Have you had a chance to see how much they actually help? I'm interested in some for the winter but am not convicted that tiny piece of plastic will do a whole lot... Right now I'm leaning towards rally-style mud flaps and taking them off in the summer if they reduce the range too much.

 

[Puppethead]

Pix of factory mud flaps.

Here I thought I was the only SE owner with mud flaps.

Have you had a chance to see how much they actually help?

I have a long gravel drive so I see the benefits of them daily. The front flaps make a huge difference, keeping mud off the sides. The back flaps help a lot too, but there's still a fair amount of dust that gets on the rear window due to the air flow of the hatch body style.

 

[Kirk McFarland]

I agree, it is keeping my car a lot cleaner.

 

[GvilleGuy]

I agree, it is keeping my car a lot cleaner.

My scissor spoke cousin! I love these wheels. Maybe I'll add mud flaps for Christmas...

 

[Kirk McFarland]

Love the wheels still working on keeping them clean.

 

[GvilleGuy]

Love the wheels still working on keeping them clean.

I need to get a brush that is sized well for the scissor opening. The hand sponge is a bit of a pain to get into each opening.

 

[polyphonic]

I need to get a brush that is sized well for the scissor opening. The hand sponge is a bit of a pain to get into each opening.

These have worked well for me.

 

[GvilleGuy]

56F and sunny here in SC. Fiona just got her first good bath all winter!

 

[insightman]

56F and sunny here in SC. Fiona just got her first good bath all winter!

Winter?!?! I see pavement under your SE!

The sight of pavement is just a memory for me right now. Just like my dim recollection of when my windows used to roll down a quarter-inch when I opened the doors. I'll be taking my SE to the 16-quarter car wash on the next warm (32°F) day, knowing it will be filthy again the day after.

These days I sure am glad MINI Coopers have a rear washer/wiper. I can't believe Hyundai and Kia are confident aerodynamics alone will keep the rear windows of the new Ioniq 5 and EV6 clean in all situations--even through slushy 20 mph city traffic.

 

[teslarati97]

I can't believe Hyundai and Kia are confident aerodynamics alone will keep the rear windows of the new Ioniq 5 and EV6 clean in all situations--even through slushy 20 mph city traffic.

That's the dumbest thing ever. It's even worse with muddy water! The lack of a wiper can work for 3-box car designs but not so much for 2-box hatchback/SUVs.

 

[Urbanengineer]

Does anyone have a part number for the mud flaps? Looking for some to install in spring, and there is a lot of overlapping F56 PN’s that is confusing me (2020 SE).

 

[MichaelC]

@Urbanengineer - Here are the part numbers for the OEM mud flaps I installed on my 2021 SE:

Front: 82162338565
Rear: 82162338566

 

[Puppethead]

there is a lot of overlapping F56 PN’s that is confusing me (2020 SE).

The mud flaps are exactly the same for all models of F56, the SE does not have special ones.

 

[Kirk McFarland]

I would put then on a warm day. The clip are a little fun to deal with.

 

[SpeedyRS]

I washed my Mini today for the first time in 8 weeks and it’s looking good.
The car was coated with Protect X by the dealer but today I used Meguiars hybrid ceramic spray wax after snowfoaming and then a two bucket wash. It goes on after you rinse the car but before you dry it, which I’ve not done before. I’ve always used products that require the car to be fully dry before you use them, but it worked a treat. I do love enigmatic black; especially when it’s just been cleaned!
What do people use to keep the plastic trim around the wheel arches, door sills and bottom of the bumpers nice and dark? I have Meguiars black plastic restorer which I use on the few bits of my bikes which are black plastic, but it doesn’t seem to last very long once it’s on.

 

[revorg]

What do people use to keep the plastic trim around the wheel arches, door sills and bottom of the bumpers nice and dark? I have Meguiars black plastic restorer which I use on the few bits of my bikes which are black plastic, but it doesn’t seem to last very long once it’s on.

I've had reasonable luck with 303. I've used it on the arches, on that plastic piece between the bonnet and the windscreen, and on the plastic bits under the bonnet. Spray it on, wipe it around with a clean microfiber cloth. Any overspray doesn't hurt the paint. I think it was originally intended for marine stuff, but it works nicely on cars that sit in the sun. Easier to use than Keep It Black.

 

[Carsten Haase]

I've had reasonable luck with 303. I've used it on the arches, on that plastic piece between the bonnet and the windscreen, and on the plastic bits under the bonnet. Spray it on, wipe it around with a clean microfiber cloth. Any overspray doesn't hurt the paint. I think it was originally intended for marine stuff, but it works nicely on cars that sit in the sun. Easier to use than Keep It Black.

Another vote for 303! I use it on both plastic and rubber bits