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It's only a year so I can't see how you could do too much damage, a year is worth about 4 full wax's and 20 normal washes (soft washes)
Watch out with the car bra and fading, you might find your bumper will start looking darker than the rest of the car depending on how much sun it gets. I don't think they are worth it just for stone chips, some touch up paint and a steady hand is normally enough to cover up any small chips.
Soft top will also be very fresh, I've had my car 2 years now and only ever used water and it's still going great.
Leather, I would just keep it clean.

Another thing, I can't stand car's that have super slippery interiors from overuse of armourall or similar products, it just makes it look oily and dirty IMHO.

The process is simply to wash it and vacuum it - you are hardly going to get any deterioration in such a short time. Car bras are probably more for folks doing a lot of country driving in areas where stones and grit are a problem. A car cover ( refer recent post) is imo nice to have as it does keep dust and other airbornes off your car whilst it is parked say under your carport. You weigh up the cost versus the benefit and the discipline in fitting and removing. Alex covered it pretty well.

Lolo wrote:1) I know she needs regular washing, good chamois, polish and wax (or sealant??) I've looked at Meguirs, Blackfire (US) and AutoGlym and I'm just not sure which to get & stick to!

I use a combination of Mothers and Meguirs and I'm happy. Others use Autoglym and Zymol and swear by the results.

Lolo wrote:3) Soft top - What is the best method to protect & look after these?? I was going to also buy a security cockpit cover for when the roof is up to keep out UV's etc and protect the interior too I suppose...Any experiences I can take advantage of with this??

Aerospace 303 make a soft top cleaner and protector.

Lolo wrote:1) Leather Leather Leather...How to keep it looking & feeling soft & supple and protected from the sun ?!? ANyone anyone..bueller bueller Seats, steering wheel, gear knob...and then just the dash & general plastic I want to maintain and ensure it doesnt fade or dry out & go crappy...

Supposedly Mr Sheen once a month is the best according to Benny.

just use exactly the same method as you have used in the past, as you say you havern't lost out yet so you must be doing something right.

Hang a photo of the car in your garage. Admire it daily.
Sell the car to someone who will use it.
Put your money in the bank.

My car used to live close to the fligh path from Sydney Airport, I would have to wax it at least once every 2 weeks due to the effects of the aircraft fuel and the sun, I tried every super cool product available and it would just not last.
I then bought "Glare" brand Paint Sealer at around $200 for the four bottles, scratch and swirl remover, pre cleaner final coat sealant etc.
After the initial application, I have only applied it once a year for continued protection - very cool stuff as it stayed put even with the aircraft fuel, 3 years on and I still have plenty left over. I'd advise using any good paint sealer/protection as it saves a whole lot of waxing! .... even protects your paint from those nasty little birds.
The manufacturers tell you to throw a bucket of water over the bonnet when you are finished, the water does not even "bead", it actually runs off completely, they apparently use this product on Aircraft and it is safe to use on your windscreen.

Stu wrote:Aerospace 303 make a soft top cleaner and protector.

Be very careful what you use on the fabric soft top. I just wash mine with a wool mit and allow to air dry. I carefully vacuum it (with the brush attachment) if it is just a bit dusty. A lint roller will also get rid of lint and stuff that seems to stick to it.

MX5CHIC.....
AWESOME photo... ummm what color is your car? Can't quite tell because of the mirror finish.....
(I may just have to some of that stuff.....)
Chris

My Car is Black, it is great stuff and cheap if you can do it yourself - my mother just got a new car and paid $650 for paint protection.
BTW - the photo is my boot.

MX5CHIC wrote:My Car is Black, it is great stuff and cheap if you can do it yourself - my mother just got a new car and paid $650 for paint protection.
BTW - the photo is my boot.

That's your boot?..... Really......this is a boot



Baaaahahahahahahahahahahaha

Lolo wrote:Well so far in just ONE week...I've managed to lightly scrape a wheel from my dad's stupid drive which I was miles away from the curb (being cautious) not realising his driveway juts out with some rather 'jagged' edged concrete & just caught my newly non scratched wheels now have a very minimal, but I still know it's there scratch!!!

OMG....thats it, you might as well throw it away! you can never sell it with a small scratch on the wheel..

Mate just drive the car and enjoy it, if you get a scratch here and there who cares. Alot of people on these forums bought their cars to enjoy them, not to worry about resale values, and keeping them in showroom condition. If you want to do that keep it in storage for a year.

this post has to be a wind up ,right!!

If your that concerned about stone chips dont drive Adelaide to melbourne,
You simply wont enjoy it.
Airfares are quite cheap these days....

Why dont you just sell it now...?
just rent one...

1/ Forget resale value keep the car and drive it (we all try to keep our cars looking clean and neat).
MX5's are meant to be dríven not just to look at.

2/ As Matty said sell it and put the money in the bank.

3/ Hope you keep it and enjoy it

Who cares, give him/her a break. If this person is concerned with its resale then good on him/her. Obviously this car is going to be cared for a lot, which is good to see because i know a lot of people can relate to the feeling you get when you see an old run down 5, and all you want to do is take it home, wash it and restore it. People get way too touchy, obviously this thread was started to bring about a discussion on maintaining an mx5 for someone who is new to the community, regardless of future plans for resale or whatever. Lets keep it at that and stop trying to defend the mx5's honour by suggesting this person should get rid of it just because he/she is concerned with the resale value. Gosh, im just as concerned with the resale value, but instead of intending on selling it, im always thinking about what it would fetch if i was to sell it, and try to make it as high as possible by replacing everything that is old, or worn. Yes this process is very expensive..

Lets play nicely

Keeping to the original questions in the first post:

- Yes, car bras are ugly, but they do protect. You decide, ugly, or no stone chips.

- I think most people will agree meguires is quite good, however you should try different sorts and choose the best one.

- As for your interior, the best way to avoid sun damage is to block it. If you know its gonna be sunny or hot, just throw a reflector thing under the windshield or windows to keep the inside cool. Also, if you want to keep you dash scratch free.... dont let autobarn touch it :D