Some Questions About Washing

Covering the engine (when cold) with a large plastic garbage bag b/f washing is what I do.

Does this prevent something? Maybe.

Better safe than sorry!

 

When washing, it's best to use a setting on your hose that will give a constant stream of water - not a jet - so that it will "sheet" off the car rather than splatter. A good soaking before starting the wash will rinse off any loose dust.

As for how best to cover the engine, go with what you think is best. I don't do anything, but then again, I'm not trying to keep my engine so clean that I could it off it. Mine's a carbed 308, so it just ain't happenin'.

Drying. Hmmm.... In an ideal world, you will have a clean, dry, 100% microfiber drying towel. Don't bare down on the car when drying - let the towel do the work, not your wrists. If, when you're done, the towel has any dirt on it, you haven't done a satisfactory job of washing. I don't agree with "blowing" the car off, either on the freeway or with some other method. The compressed hoses I've seen at carwashes seem okay for blowing remaining water out of the nooks and crannies on cars, but not for drying the entire car. I've even heard of some people who use leaf blowers to dry off their cars! Might as well call it "sand blasting" instead of "blow drying"...

In short, if you drive your car, you will get fine scratches and nicks. This is reality. If you wash your car, you will likely be left with at least some very fine swirl marks and or scratches. This is okay. A good polishing should take care of all of it.

The point of owning a Ferrari is to enjoy the experience - not to give yourself a stroke.

 

Less washing, more driving.

Get a California Duster (really works).

Use "dry-wash" products when possible such as Griots Speed Shine or Meguiars Quik Detailer.

Your shoes will stay drier and your car won't rust.

 

I wash mine just like any other car, except after drying (with the "absorber") I ALWAYS go for a 10 mile or so drive, to dry out everything in the engine compartment. Never had a problem.

 

I cover my engine with a plastic shower curtain liner – it’s a bit heavier than a garbage bag or drop cloth so is easier to position. As Max4HD says, can’t hurt.

 

And a +1 on the California Car Duster. It doesn’t seem “right” to wipe a mop over a dusty surface, but in reality it works fine, saves a lot of time, and probably doesn’t scratch any more than the other things we do.

 

Yea, I hardly spray the engine cover at all...I have old spark plug well seals!

I also second Griot's Speed Shine....great product....

And use a car cover even indoors helps with the fine dust...1-800-Coverking does a nice job on the 308GTB patterns

 

I'll 3rd the Griot's products - I was going to mention them in my original post, but since they're not a sponsor, I didn't want to get a slap on the wrist. I've found their stuff to be really top notch, though. Check 'em out!

 

I use the California car duster on all my cars,even on the Ferrari works great! Less washing if you use one of these all the time.


http://www.californiacardusters.com/standardcarduster.html

Jim

 

I'll 4th them. I use Speed Shine between details. In fact, because my car's in San Diego and doesn't get rained on, mostly I just rinse the wheels and use Griot's wheel cleaner, and Speed Shine the painted parts with pure cotton cloths.

For washing, just don't set your hose the Niagara Falls setting. I've been throwing an old towel over the cold or cool engine before my detail guy washes it and telling him to take it easy on the water flow. You're not getting bugs, tar and mud on the engine cover anyway. He uses more water on the lower parts of the car.

Also: The most important washing/detailing accessory you will ever buy is one of those rubber-coated nozzles - a really good quality one. Griot's has them, but you can get them many places. You don't need a metal garden hose nozzle banging down on your hood.

 

I have to try the "Car Duster".
Do I need a new one for every time I clean the car? Or can I use it many times?

 

My car duster is over ten years old, it's the same one I never replaced it. I use the same one on all three cars. The more you use it the better it gets. My Dad got me started using one and believe me he is the most fussy person I know when it comes to keeping a car clean. He's had his over 10 years also.

Jim

 

I can't remember exactly when I got mine, but it's somewhere between 5 and 10 years old. After college, before marriage - can't remember. Anyway, yeah...their DEFinitely good for more than one use!

Just be sure to follow the instructions before your first use. IIRC, it instructs you to roll the duster in newspaper and let it sit or something along those lines. This is done to absorb the excess carnuba in the fibers from the manufacturing process.

 

I've never "washed" mine. Calif Duster and Meguir's spray detailer with 3M microfiber cloths is all I've needed. In fact, I only wash with water my outside cars or if the've gotten real dirty in the rain(which the 328 hasn't seen). Guess it depends how much you drive your car. Lots of waxing and unless it gets real dirty, detailing sprays are the way to go.

Jeff

 

Yes, you can just let it sit on some newspaper for a couple of days. Be sure to take it outside and shake well before and after each use. And don’t use on a hot surface or it will streak.

 

I rarely wash the F-car, but when I do, I'm very careful where the water goes. I use Zymol car wash as the soap, make up a nice soapy mix, use a microfiber mit, and wet the car down thoroughly before soaping it. Then rinse it down quickly. Don't let the soap dry on the car and preferably, do it in the shade not in direct sunlight. Then I use a California Car Blade to squeegy the water off. It's a surgical rubber blade that will not scratch the surface. When you get done, the car is spotless, just use a microfiber towel to get the drops of water and spots you can't get with the squeegy. I did my black Corvette that way yesterday, and it came out spotless.

I use the California Car duster most of the time to keep the cars dust-free, and cover them whether inside or out. For touch-ups and spot cleaning, I use Maguier's Quick Detailer and a microfiber rag. The problem with that is heavy dirt or dust. I don't think it's a good idea to use the Quick Detailer for that, as you are pushing all that dirt around on the surface. You really have to be careful with that.

 

Griot's Garage recommends covering, regardless of whether the car is inside or out. There's plenty of dust and other airborne contaminants floating around in most garages that will settle on the car just as if it were outside. Good for you that you do this...

I completely agree with you on the second part - QD is a big no-no for heavily dusty/dirty paint.

 

I'll go for #5, have used their products since I've owned my car and I've had great results. I only wash it about every 6 months and use the speed-shine and wheel cleaner all the time to keep her clean. I don't put anything over the engine, but don't use a lot of water in that area, just a nice fine mist and have had no problems. I do open the engine cover afterward and towel off any water that might have collected. then go for a little drive to get rid of amy moisture. Like i said have had no problems.

 

I'll #6 Griot's. I have been using them for over 10 years. I have most of their catalog in my garage I also have a 2 California duster in my car for quick cleanups - one for the car and the other for the wheels (brake dust.)
I recently bought the Spotless Water Systems unit and love it...no spots...even on my other black SUV. Also, I put a plastic drop cloth over my cool engine when washing my F-car. I wash it about every week to two weeks and take is out for a short drive to dry out those hard to reach places.

 

Griots is as good as the best of 'em at three times the price.

I use a cali duster first then the new aerosol version of the mequires final inspection. and one of those thick oversized microfibers. For the wheels i use a product called chrome foam to clean without water.