Question on washing an F430 Spider

I have a 2003 360 Spider and know exactly what you are referring to. I also wash my car with a hose and bucket. I have not found any problem having water running into the air vents. However, I never direct the spray into them. Nor have I investigated where the water runs to. I wash the car as normal using a mitt but am careful to avoid as much water getting into the grills as possible. I've had no problems. You may have to clean out minor water pots on the engine compartment side panels.

 

I washed mine all the time and I felt the F430 spider is probably the most difficult car to wash of all time. And, part of it is all the nooks, crannies, and the vents you mentioned.

I formed a method.

First, use s little water as possible on the back glass area and try to avoid direct spraying the metal vents.

Second, as soon as you wash it and rinse it, clean the back glass and the rear hatch. Then RAISE IT, leave it open, and let the water drip. Clean as much as you can before it drips off the raised hatch.

Third, clean the water off the headers, the frame, and the muffler. Dry any area under the hood that got wet before going to the rest of the car. As you clean the car, keep looking back for water that keeps dripping.

Fourth, after drying the rest of the car, close the hood then raise it again. Its guaranteed more water will be under the hood again.

The car has some other very difficult areas to dry. One is the rear tail lights. The other if the front bumper where it meets the body. It seems no matter how many times you dry it, water keeps appearing there. AND, make sure the top is very dry before folding it back down.

 

I always used the Leaf blower after washing to remove the excess water in the engine bay, and the remainder of the car for that matter. . Now I am the proud owner of the 8 HP car dyer

 

Just curious, what happens if it rains while you are driving? Where does that water go then? One would think Ferrari considered that when designing the car, then again maybe not ... Though I agree, not running a hose into a vent is a good idea.

 

Nothing happens. It just makes it a bit messy back there. When the car is moving the air flow prevents most water from flowing in. At rest it will have some but it's just that you have to clean it afterwards.

A lot of mid engine cars have similar vents. Its only an aesthetic issues and causes no real harm.

I had the CF rear "challenge grill" which had additional vents to help let airflow through to exit out the back. I found it actually worked.

 

If your car is not too dirty, you can just use a rinseless wash like ONR. You will just need lots of MF towels.

 

Many years ago the owners manual always stated “washing the car is best left to the professionals.”
To me washing the car allows me time to enjoy it’s beauty and “bond” with the car. Best enjoyed I have found with a nice glass of wine. A joy not a chore.

 

Same here !

 

Water will not hurt the car! Wash away....

 

I've ran mine thru the automatic car wash. Any problem with that?

 

2-bucket method when it's dirty. Foam cannon for maintenance. I drive it to dry the engine bay after washes.

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Do not use automatic car washes. The brushes will cause scratching and the soap is too harsh.