Washing a 360

No need to fuss with blowers, plastic drapes, etc. It's just a car.

I personally wash my 360 every few weeks. I actually drive mine so it gets fairly dirty with road grime. So the whole process ends up taking about 2 hours. The only tips I can offer are sort of universal tips and not Ferrari-specific by any means.

I use 2 buckets -- one containing soapy water, the other plain water. After washing an area of the car with a soapy mit, I rinse it out in the plain water bucket before returning it to the soapy water. This minimizes the possibility of scratching the paint.

I wash the car in 2 stages. In the first stage I wash the lower "border" of the car (fender edges, rocker panels, etc) and then the wheels with small terry cloth towels. In the second stage, I rinse out the 2 buckets, get some fresh soapy water and rinse water and use a separate wash mit to wash the rest of the car.

Lastly, I dry the body with microfiber cloths and wipe down the engine bay, trunk area, door jams, wheels, etc. with terry cloth towels.

It's a bit anal perhaps, but I've settled on a color code for the terry towels so that I have one set for the wheels (brake dust hazard), one set for the engine bay (grease and grime), and a third set for the extreme lower body, trunk, door jams, etc. I only use the microfiber cloths for drying the paintwork.

Under no circumstances would I ever take my 360 (or any other car I own, for that matter) to a car wash. Touchless or otherwise.

Just one last tip -- it's much easier to clean the wheels if you apply several coats of a polymer finish to them once a year or so.

 

I bought a leaf blower at Home Depot that I use on all my cars. It's incredibly helpful to get all the water out the different seams, panels, grills, wheels, etc. I usually start at the top and work my way down and around the car doing different areas at a time. I also use a microfibre towel wipe off the excess water. The blower is especially good on wheels because the rotors tend to rust during washing and then the rust drips on the inside of the wheels as you drive.

Under no circumstances would I take my Ferrari to a touchless car wash.

 

What's wrong with the touchless car washes???

 

Many use metal tracks that can easily damage your wheels.
Some recycle water, and none will get the same results as a hand wash. Good tips posted above.

 

I make sure to rinse well first then use warm/hot soapy water to float the dirt before a rag ever hits it.

I also rinse with Mr. Clean de-ionized rinse gun. If done well the engine compartment and nooks/crannies won't get residue.

I am buying a larger de-ionizer for soaping and the whole process when I get a chance.

 

Rather than using a blower to clear water from hard to reach areas, try driving the car around the block after you have wiped it dry. You will be surprised as to how much water is "freed" up. It then is a simple matter to dry those areas.

 

Excellent product for home use.

Touchless use very harsh and high alkalynity chemicals to work "touch" free. All it really does is remove wax and/or paint protection much quicker than normal.

The leaf blower is a very good way to blow off extra water. I use that same process every once in a while.

It is very advisable to use a chamois or squege to remove water. If you decide to use terry towels make sure they have been conditioned in the washer many times with Downy or some other laundry softner. If you do not it will leave "cobwebs" in the paint.

 

I use the Mr. Clean product with good results. Mr. Clean topic had been discussed before.

A quick drive for a few blocks after washing will blows all the water out and get the rotors clean.

 

On my 360 I tape off the door windows(between the glass and rubber seal) before washing to minimize water leaking down and into the electric window mechanism. Previously, I had washed the car and noticed that the window would squeel a bit from the water when I put it up so I figured that rather then risk having to put a costly new motor in down the road, I'd do this. I use the blue tape btw.

 

California Water Blade. It wipes the water away and offers a very simple way of drying the car. It's patented material that will NOT scratch the paint. Research it on the internet; they have it at AutoZone for $20.

In my opinion, best, easiest, and quickest way to dry a Ferrari without leaving water spots.

I washed my Dad's 360 the other day and used it. The car came out almost perfect with a minimal number of water spots. The important areas that you want to keep clean of water spots are the roof and the front hood, and with the CWB you can accomplish that very easily. You can't get to every little crevice, but you can go almost anywhere as the thing molds itself to the shape of the metal across which you are sliding it.

 

I agree 100%. I've been using a california water blade for about two years now. It really gets a majority of the water. It just doesn't get into fine crevices. Oh and use it from the top of the car, to the bottom.

 

The touchless car wash I take my NSX too doesn't have any tracks. And I also have all the wax and other stuff (I can't remeber) put on too during the wash in nine or so steps, then I get out afterward and dry it anyway (I would use my backpack blower, but it won't fit in the car very well). Is this still bad???? How bout if I go early in the morning so I get clean water??? I would really hate to do any damage to my paint.

 

Ask the station if they reuse their water. I doubt it, but check. In Alabama the state does not regulate so much and most don't use the recycled water.