The GP Mini Detail
Mini fan Martyn Collins wanted the best in long-lasting protection and gloss, as we head into winter for his 2006 GP. So he brought this limited-edition to us to try out our award-winning Caramics kits.
Before We Get Started, Tell Us About Your Rather Special Mini GP, Martyn?
"To give it its full name, it's a Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit, an extreme, two-seater run-out limited edition 2000 - of which 460 originally went to UK buyers. The GP features unique styling and colour and it was assembled in Italy at Berton."
"I bought it in 2010 and it's one of three Minis that I own, the others being one of the earliest R50 Coopers and a Countryman Cooper S for my family."
Understandably because of its rarity, Martyn likes to keep his GP clean with Auto Finesse detailing products, going as far as having the Thunder Blue metallic paint corrected removing 12 years of minor imperfections.
Before applying these special coatings, our detailing maestro Simon had to make sure this Mini was totally clean. Firstly, he starts on the arches and wheels. Cleaning them with Citrus Power bug & grime remover and because the wheels aren?t too dirty - Imperial wheel cleaner. This was closely followed two coats of Avalanche snow foam and a hand wash working from top to bottom in straight motions, to not add more swirls, with a sheepskin mitt and Lather car shampoo.
Mini GP Dried Off, Time To head To The Prep Bay & get Started On The Coatings!
First job for Simon was to check that this Mini's paintwork was perfect enough. Thankfully, it gets a thumbs up otherwise we'd have to break out the orbital polisher beforehand.
Time to tape up the plastics and start to wipe the bodywork! Firstly, with the Prep-Wipes, which do exactly what the name suggests, as these alcohol-based wipes remove any protection on the paint, leaving the paint ready for the next round of Ceramic Resin Wipes.
Simon starts with the big panels first, with the roof, then the bonnet, sides and finally the back - working outwards and lengthways, to make sure the whole of these panels are covered. There are eight of the large Ceramic Resin wipes, more than enough on a Mini for one wipe per panel, then buff off the excess - simple as that!
Bodywork finished and left to cure, Simon moves on to wheels and interior, using the same technique as the body, but the Ceramic Resin in these kits is applied by spay, not by wipe. The finishing Ceramics touch being the windows, which like the paintwork is finished with wipes.
Simon starts with the big panels first, with the roof, then the bonnet, sides and finally the back - working outwards and lengthways, to make sure the whole of these panels are covered. There are eight of the large Ceramic Resin wipes, more than enough on a Mini for one wipe per panel, then buff off the excess - simple as that!
Bodywork finished and left to cure, Simon moves on to wheels and interior, using the same technique as the body, but the Ceramic Resin in these kits is applied by spay, not by wipe. The finishing Ceramics touch being the windows, which like the paintwork is finished with wipes.
So what does Martyn think of his MINI after its Caramics makeover?
"It's always been shiny, but the Caramics kit has taken the gloss to another level."
