Mini Cooper R paint correction, Opti-Guard protection: Rasky`s Auto Detailing

**RaskyR1** · 10-17-2011, 10:13 AM

Mini Cooper R paint correction, Opti-Guard protection

This hot little hatch actually belongs to the owner of the E46 I recently detailed and after inspection it was scheduled for a 2-step correction with Opti-Guard protection. After working on a full size Chevy truck last weekend, having this little thing to work on was a relief to say the least, but surprisingly, it was still a fair amount of work.

This vehicle did see occasional tunnel washes in the winter (slap n` Scratch) which was very evident upon the initial inspection. The scratching and marring on the tops and passenger side were not quite as severer as the drivers side, and the lower you went down on the side panels, the worse they were. For those of you familiar with the slap n` scratch wash, you will understand why this is.

Process:

Wash - ONR

Wheels - Sonax Full Effect

Tires - OPC

Clay - Clay Magic fine clay, ONR as lube

Paint correction - D300/MF followed by 106fa on tangerine LC pads (GG6 DA). Drivers side also needed some M105/Surbuf.

Opti-Guard prep - Foam bath with OPC/CGCW followed by wash with CGCW, 15% IPA wipe-down

Glass - Meguiar`s D120

Exhaust tips/metal trim - Optimum Metal Polish

Tires - Meguiar`s Hyper Dressing 3:1

Opti-Guard application - Paint was done using CarPro Suede MF applicators, trim/wheels were done with foam applicator, plastic grills done with air brush.

Before pics:

Bleeding wheel

Water spots

DISO

Owner had two areas of concern....Bird poo etching

...and bug spatter etching. Both came right out with D300/MF

Door scuff

More water spots and RIDS

I love PPF!

Black trim shows true paint condition better

50/50 shots after D300

Lots of taping on these cars

Foam bath to prep for coating

Front and rear grills were a little dull and very intricate....a PITA to clean too!

Perfect candidate for Opti-Guard via airbrush!

Better!

**RaskyR1** · 10-17-2011, 10:14 AM

Finished pics

Trying to be creative

All black plastic trim was coated

Brinkmann

Halogens

Thanks for looking!

Rasky

**kakeuter** · 10-17-2011, 11:48 AM

Excellent work Rasky!

-Kody-

**RaskyR1** · 10-17-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by kakeuter

Excellent work Rasky!

-Kody-

Thanks Kody!

**Brad B** · 10-17-2011, 05:27 PM

Having owned a Pepper White/Black MINI S I can attest to the swirlability of the paint. Really soft stuff. You did a great job!

**Lotuseffect** · 10-17-2011, 06:04 PM

Ill be honest with you Rasky, when I open your threads now I am expecting this kind of work. Just fantastic stuff man. Ive detailed one Mini and I went into it with the same mind set "sweet, nice small car". The damn thing has so many contours, and small spaces which really require a lot of fine tuning, they can be a bit of a chore.

The red really came out great with the D300. I really like finishing with 106fa on OJ too. Although, lately i am finding myself reaching for uno on orange to finish. ANyway, great stuff as always bro.

**imported_polishworks** · 10-17-2011, 06:07 PM

Nice work!! I never would have thought to airbrush opti-coat like that..

Did you opti-coat the plastic fender accents too?

That seems like a great idea and what a versatile product!

Great example..

**mikenap** · 10-17-2011, 06:15 PM

Chad, you always do great work, and it goes without saying that this Mini looks impeccable. But what I`m most impressed with is it seems your photography skills have gotten noticeably better. Please don`t take this to mean there was anything at all wrong with your pics on earlier write-ups, but these shots are just awesome. If you were "trying to be creative," you definitely succeeded. Oh yeah, and your taping has always been on point too. I really think this is my new favorite Rasky write-up.

**Pats300zx** · 10-17-2011, 06:16 PM

Another "home run" Chad. Incredible work.

**RaskyR1** · 10-17-2011, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Brad B.

Having owned a Pepper White/Black MINI S I can attest to the swirlability of the paint. Really soft stuff. You did a great job!

Thanks Brad!

Originally Posted by Lotuseffect

Ill be honest with you Rasky, when I open your threads now I am expecting this kind of work. Just fantastic stuff man. Ive detailed one Mini and I went into it with the same mind set "sweet, nice small car". The damn thing has so many contours, and small spaces which really require a lot of fine tuning, they can be a bit of a chore.

The red really came out great with the D300. I really like finishing with 106fa on OJ too. Although, lately i am finding myself reaching for uno on orange to finish. ANyway, great stuff as always bro.

Thank you! I still haven`t been able to dial in UNO and I really need to just take a day and devote some time to it.

Originally Posted by polishworks

Nice work!! I never would have thought to airbrush opti-coat like that..

Did you opti-coat the plastic fender accents too?

That seems like a great idea and what a versatile product!

Great example..

Thank you! Yes, all exterior trim was coated and it should stay looking that way for a very long time and release dirt with ease. I`ve had it on my cars trim for about 15 months and it still looks great.

Originally Posted by mikenap

Chad, you always do great work, and it goes without saying that this Mini looks impeccable. But what I`m most impressed with is it seems your photography skills have gotten noticeably better. Please don`t take this to mean there was anything at all wrong with your pics on earlier write-ups, but these shots are just awesome. If you were "trying to be creative," you definitely succeeded. Oh yeah, and your taping has always been on point too. I really think this is my new favorite Rasky write-up.

Thanks Mike! I actually appreciate the complement on the pics and I was well aware that they were nowhere near the level some guys who are skilled with a DSLR. I`m often pressed for time, but whenever possible I try to experiment with different camera settings to get better pics. I`ve really been digging the effect I can get from using a large aperture...still a total noob though!

Originally Posted by Pats300zx

Another "home run" Chad. Incredible work.

Thanks again, Pat!

**Barry Theal** · 10-17-2011, 09:16 PM

Great work Chad!

**white gecko** · 10-17-2011, 09:34 PM

Chad, the airbrush idea is BRILLIANT!

Great work on that Mini! I just did one too, same process and OG. There is sooo much to tape on these cars lol. You did it justice. Very nice.

**RaskyR1** · 10-18-2011, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

Great work Chad!

Thanks Barry!

Originally Posted by gofast908z

Chad, the airbrush idea is BRILLIANT!

Great work on that Mini! I just did one too, same process and OG. There is sooo much to tape on these cars lol. You did it justice. Very nice.

LOL! Thanks Jeff! I need to go order more tape now.