First time washing F430 spider - any advice?

use the 2 bucket system
and microfibre towels

theres a bunch of write ups on the proper way to wash/detail your car

 

Roll the windows up first

 

Here's a really good post:

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/how-to-properly-wash-and-dry-a-car/

 

What color is it? Certain colors are more forgiving. Use a specific convertible top cleaner like Ragg Topp. It will rinse much easier than car wash. Learn to do it right, will save a lot of time trying to buff out mistakes. Clean wash mitts light pressure. Good luck. If it helps I cover up the engine vents with clear plastic car matts cut to size, helps minimize excess water in engine compartment.

 

I recommend Noel's lady friend, but pics are required.

 

Nico,
Nothing substantially different than any other car. Just use common sense-
don't directly spray the engine, don't use full blast around the window seals, use the 2 bucket method, use soft microfiber not bath towels for drying, etc.

There aren't any exposed electrical or mechanical parts that cannot withstand getting wet so nothing to worry about.

 

If you have Carbon Ceramic brakes, do not put any soap on the discs.

Otherwise, it's just like any other car. After rinsing, I would do dry the rear hatch and then pop it up and open. Then, let the water drain and make sure all the water is cleaned up from the frame, hoses, and airboxes.

It has a lot of nooks and crannies. Its a difficult car to wipe down.

 

This might sound a little too much but I purchased a leaf blower from Costco to blow out all the water from the little spaces (after the wash/rinse) before wiping the car down.

This makes the job much easier and less damaging to the car's paint.

 

I also use the leaf blower for certain parts of the car, mainly the wheels and tires and around the rear diffuser.

 

Leaf blower can burn your house down:

http://i.autoblog.com/2010/08/19/olympic-figure-skater-uses-leaf-blower-to-dry-porsche-boxster-b/

 

A few.

When you wash, you'll get soap down into the engine compartment.

Once you've rinsed the entire car, pop the engine lid, and rinse down what needs to be rinsed and dry everything ASAP to avoid waterspotting the engine compartment or exhaust cans.

Fold up a few towels (all cotton, of course) and place them at the mating area between the back of the top (below window - inside "wings") and the car body.

They will suck up all the water that accumulates there.

Oh, and allocate at least 1.5 hours to this - the engine compartment really slows you down.

Jim

 

...and make sure the roof is up.

 

Don't touch the car!!!!!!!
I do all of my washing without touching it!
Don't even shammy it

 

Consider buying one of the portable de-ionizing water systems.

Mike

 

Would be interested to hear how you do that exactly???? Got any before and after pictures?

 

He does...the before picture is identical to the after picture curiously enough...

 

Dont put away the soft top until it is dry, otherwise you will get permanent creases in it.

Dont be scared of the car. I have hosed down my 360 spider engine compartment a couple of times and then dried it off with a towel and it works just fine. Nobody died.